Mano A Mano: Mano a Mano

Mano a mano is Spanish for hand to hand as in unarmed combat. Nowadays it is used in much the same way as the English expression head to head, and doesn't imply anything too serious. This is just as well because the two guitarists going hand to hand here are brothers.

Bruno and Andre Santos live on the Portuguese island of Madeira, famous for its fortified wine. Bruno is 39, Andre 10 years his junior. Both play guitar, Bruno the conventional right-handed variety, Andre left-handed because he learnt by copying his brother and found it easier to do that as a southpaw. Appropriately, Bruno is heard on the right stereo channel, Andre on the left.

Things get under way with a tribute to a Mediterranean culinary staple. "Olive Oil," written by Bruno, is based on the chords of Jule Styne's "Just In Time," featured in the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing, starring Judy Holiday. The two guitars state the theme, then the bass and drums come in. It's intricate and swinging.

Andre's composition, "Cosmo Kramer," is more modern and angular, paying homage to the Cuban cigar smoking hero of the American TV sitcom Seinfeld.

There's a lovely, laid back version of Irving Berlin's "Cheek To Cheek," featuring inventive guitar by Bruno and a solid bass solo from Antonio Quintino.

"Voce e Eu (You And Me)," a bossa by the Brazilian composer Carlos Lyra, appears twice. A quartet version is marred by heavy-handed drumming from Luis Candeias. The reprise—much better—features just the Santos brothers.

Each brother has a solo showcase. Bruno's is "Skylark" by Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer. Andre chooses Guy Wood's "My One And Only Love." On both the emphasis is firmly on melody.

Some of the album is a trifle unfinished. The brothers' version of Jerome Kern's "Yesterdays" comes to a decidedly abrupt ending and Thelonious Monk's "Four In One" can be a mite shrill here and there. The plus side is a feeling of involvement, of actually being there as a sunny island session comes together.