ATTENTION DEFICIT

Not unlike some other guitar-centered power trios, Attention Deficit delivers a very energetic jazz rock, including flashes of fiery psychedelia and getting pretty wicked at times. This supergroup's particular value relies on the special touch delivered by each individual member. Tim Alexander's jazz leanings have always been clearly stated from his Primus days (in fact, his drumming proved essential for that band's overall sound during the time he was a member); Michael Manring articulates his Stanley Clarke and Les Claypool influences with a sense of energetic exquisiteness; and, last, Alex Skolnick absorbs the combined heritages of Holdsworth, Fripp and Beck with a renewing energy and a fearless urge to explore the expressive potentials that can be created by multi- varied guitar effects. The fact that the album's material is ordained as a continuum helps to build a sense of sonic power all along: all compositions are largely based on jamming, so the musicians' main aim is to invite the listener to let themselves go according to the various moods successively conveyed by the repertoire. The use of brief interludes helps to create a solid inner connection for the overall repertoire's structure: some of these interludes are really short, like the 22-second 'Snip' and the 10-second 'Festivus'. It's interesting how all three musicians manage to intertwine their respective inputs while exposing their particular skills - this group works magically well as both an ensemble and an assembly of individuals. Anyway, I'll mention a number of individual tracks in order to go deeper into my personal impressions about this album. 'An Exchange of Niceties', 'Febrile' and the 'Wrong' interlude are really aggressive and delirious. On the other hand, the 11-minute 'Fly Pelican, Fly', expands on a jamming that incorporates a number of sonic variations fluidly taking place while it keeps on riding. Although it is not a particularly explosive number, 'Fly Pelican, Fly' turns out to be quite energetic, as well as one of the album's definite highlights, due to the perfect integration and intertwining dialogues that are built up by all three musicians. 'Scapula' is a funky-based jam with an overtly disturbing twist delivered by Skolnick's wild guitar passages: another highlight, indeed. The 'ATM', 'TMA' and 'MAT' interludes are eerie exercises in psychedelia, which convey an evident though self- constrained sense of aggressiveness, disturbing without ever getting overtly oppressive: a similar ambience is delivered in 'Ill Fated Conspiracy'. 'The Girl from Enchilada' gives a warm hint to old-fashioned jazz fusion. Details could go on and on. but I'll stop it right here - all in all, this is an excellent recording that would make an excellent addition to any good prog collection.

Improv Supergroup

Attention Defecit have a number of things going for them, not the least of which is, as with all supergroups, top-flight musicians. And these guys have outrageously wide roots. Michael Manring spent a number of years as a mainstay on the Windham Hill label. Alex Skolnick, a speedmetal horn thrower (before his latest Jazz works). And Tim Alexander, the Neil Peart-esque battering ram of Primus. All the elements were there for a prog nuke. But the trio decided to take an open ended approach to the compositions on their debut. While there is an organized root to most of the songs, it can be described as modern jazz improv. It is a worthy effort for this style, but generally not my cup of tea.

2.9 stars

Often I can hear, that my beloved jazz-fusion has it's great history somewhere in 70-th, but missed his magic now. Even more - they say that there is nothing in modern music world, what looks as modern fusion form. And even like that - Derek Sherinian is one of the modern ( rock) fusion idols. No way!!!

Just take this debut album of Attention Deficit power - trio ( or even super group, if you like names like that). Three great musicians - Alex Skolnik, ex-Testament guitarist, bass god Michael Manring and Tim Alexander, ex-Primus drummer - established power trio for playing new world class fusion!

It's instrumental album consisting of 18 compositions. No keyboards!!! ( O God, thank you for that!At least there are some bands in rock without synth-mania!!!) "No Synthesizers!" - no, I'm not repeating, it is stated right on CD cover!

Alex Skolnik plays not only electric,but acoustic guitar as well. And you wouldn't find metal axe- hero episodes there ( O God, thank you once again!). Both together with jazzy drumming and deep bass line ( a la Stanley Clark, but much more modern), the trio produce highly intelligent, complex music with big dose of magnetism.

To be honest, it's one of the best examples of modern heavy fusion all around.

Highly recommended to anyone who likes complex,professional and innovative music.