Chances are, if you’re a local and love jazz music, you’ve probably seen, or at least heard of, The Lund McVey Group. The Christian jazz/fusion outfit’s self-titled full-length studio album is a robust follow-up to their 2011 release Live at the Walnut House, and features 10 original songs composed by Lund, who also performs on electric guitar. Lund, a Middle Tennessee State University graduate and adjunct professor, is also an ordained pastor and is passionate about connecting the music to the Word of God, as heard throughout the album.

The rest of the group includes MTSU alumnus Jason McVey (alto saxophone), Adam Bond (electric/upright bass), Shonna Lund (vocals) and Jerry Steinhilber (drums). Together, they give a emblematic spin on biblical scriptures, with a majority of tracks resembling the same style and structure as ’90s progressive fusion band Tribal Tech, whom the group also credits as an influence.

The core of the album lies in “Let’s Get Serious” and “My Daddy From Up Above,” both simple yet moderately funky songs brought to life with a combination of saxophone and jangly guitar chords. And if there’s one track on the album that goes beyond the boundaries of musicality it’s “Good and Evil,” which at first seems similar to the others, but eventually shifts into a grooving showcase of impressive vocals by Shonna and dynamic guitar work from Matt. “Look Up,” leaves a lasting impression on the listener with more than eight minutes of unrelenting groove that ties together the album’s jazz-funk threads perfectly.

The Lund McVey Group represents a tremendous combination of compositional and instrumental skills, impressively mixed and mastered to capture an effortlessly conveyed charisma.

For more on the Lund McVey Group, check the band’s Facebook page.