Acoustic Alchemy
This Way
Narada Jazz


It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since British guitarists Greg Carmichael and Miles Gliderdale initially established themselves as bona fide contemporary (smooth) jazz stars with Red Dust and Spanish Lace. As leaders of jazz for the James Taylor crowd, they have found their niche, and continue to put out accessible jazz that displays quite a bit of technique and intestinal fortitude. “This Way”, their first on Narada Jazz, has enough going for it to satisfy both the mellow and metal in all of us.

Songs range from the Seals and Croftsish “Love is All There Is” to the rocking “Slampop”, which has some electric guitar work by Miles that could feel at home on any Pat Metheny release. Terry Disley (p) and Jeff Kashiwa (ts) throw in a few meaty solos on the Earl Klugh-meets-Bob Marley-at the lounge “Ernie”. Rick Braun’s flugelhorn is gorgeous over the heavy backbeat of “Carlos”. Both guitarists are still up for displaying creative ideas and solos, as they ably do on the pair of duets. “Out of Nowhere” spotlights Carmichael’s delicate nylon work, and “This Way” features some of Gilderdale’s gritty electric soloing over his rhythmic programming. Upbeat, cheerful and still able to show they can pick with the best of them, AA has put out another disc to be proud of.


-George W. Harris