Recommended: ADHD – “ADHD5”

It’s mostly sonorous melodies that rule the day on ADHD5, the fifth release by the Icelandic quartet ADHD… melodies that possess the fuzzy motions of a shadow in action.  And while those melodies are most likely to captivate the listener, it’s the manipulation of tempo that provides the album both substance and depth.  There’s “Græna Thokan,” which nicely contrasts a plodding rhythm with a melody that floats lightly just out of its reach.  “Free Angelo,” for all its relaxed ambiance, hints at a rigid formality that could suddenly become rule of law.  The creeping cadence of “Jörg Thienelt” gives a friendly song a mysterious edge.

A couple tracks fall outside the serenity’s ring of influence.  “Flugzeug” turns up the heat dramatically, while the contemplative tones of “Afi Palli” hum with a powerful brilliance.  But mostly what the recording offers up are tracks like the gentle sighs of “Indjanadansinn,” a song that hovers on the border of peaceful sleep and vibrant dreams.

An absorbing album.

Your album personnel:  Óskar Guðjónsson (saxophones), Ómar Guðjónsson (guitars, basses), Davíð Þór Jónsson (Hammond organ, Moogs, Rhodes, piano, bass) and Magnús Trygvason Eliassen (drums).

Released on Contemplate Music.

Jazz from the Reykjavík, Iceland scene.

Available at:  eMusic | Amazon