Here is contemporary jazz guitarist Ken Navarro like I've never before heard him. On his latest endeavor,The Test Of Time, Navarro is the lone performer, playing all of the parts on one guitar simultaneously. His impressive playing is a powerful and spirited show of depth and innovativeness. His fiery strumming, his use of harmonics, and his clean melodies and chords are all truly something to behold.  Whoever said - or has even thought - that smooth jazz is either dead or unimaginative should get a good earful of what Navarro does to always inspire, intrigue, and entice listeners to the genre. It is work like Navarro's on this album that keeps the fire in smooth jazz lit and very bright because of that very imagination and creativity. No, this isn't the smooth jazz we hear everyday on whatever media we have chosen to patronize. It's different and refreshing. It's what contemporary jazz is all about...an all-encompassing umbrella of delightful styles and sounds and directions. A big thanks to Navarro for bringing his contribution under that umbrella. It is because of such an effort that contemporary jazz will continue to bear up well under the test of time.As a guitar aficionado and lifelong student of the instrument, I found this work most compelling to say the least. Adding to his creative approach here is his unique interpretation of the tunes, which include the late John Lennon'sImagine,Little Marthapenned by the late Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers fame, The Police'sMessage in a Bottle, A Beatles trifecta withEight Days A Week/Ticket to Ride/Day Tripper, and Santana'sEuropa, among the 12 timeless tunes. --Ronald Jackson, Smooth Jazz RideSince 2008 and the release ofThe Grace of Summer Light, guitarist Ken Navarro has been exploring the possibilities created by combining his distinctly melodic music with sophisticated harmony, fresh rhythms and long form compositions. The 2010 projectDreaming Of Trainsfound Navarro continuing this genre bending journey but now withThe Test Of Timehe is taking on a whole different challenge. Billed as ''solo guitar like you never imaged it'' this ten track collection of some of the most memorable songs ever written delivers melodies, bass lines, harmonies and percussion all played simultaneously on one single guitar, without a single overdub in sight. As a consequenceThe Test Of Timeserves not only as a sublime showcase for some truly memorable music but also as a glowing tribute to Navarro's undisputed artistry.Of course Navarro being Navarro, he is not content to limit his sections to those from the great popular song book and instead adds two bonus cuts which first takes him on a detour into the classics for Bach'sBWV 998then allows him to close out the set with a dreamy version ofWhen You Wish Upon A Starfrom the 1940 Walt Disney adaption of Pinocchio.However, the body of the album is all about the magical mystery tour that takes in Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, Lennon & McCartney, Jimmy Webb and several other musical icons in between. Indeed one notable stopping off point is at the Police hitMessage In A Bottle, which fits Navarro's style of play to perfection. It is already being used at YouTube to provide the CD with some much deserved early publicity and in style sits in delightful contrast to a hugely contemplative take on John Lennon'sImagine.Later, Navarro's careful handling of Webb's seminalWichita Linemanbestows a lonesome quality that is perfect for the subject of the song and when he tips a hat to the legendary Bob Dylan he does so with not one but two tunes. In fact the medley he crafts fromJust Like A WomanandSad Eyed Lady of The Lowlandsproves to be a tranquil highlight of the entire collection and when he pays a similar tribute to Lennon & McCartney, the combination ofEight Days A Week,Ticket To RideandDay Trippersignposts as a nostalgic diversion that will live in the memory.Most everyone is familiar with the haunting strains of Santana'sEuropayet the way Navarro slows it down, speeds it up then turns it around adds a freshness that is inviting while his performance on Pat Metheny'sLetter From Homeis nothing short of spellbinding. The number comes from Metheny's 1989 album of the same name and when Navarro again raids the archives he goes right back as 1966 for Brian Wilson'sCaroline No.In terms of personal favorites, a dancing rendition ofLittle Martha(which was made famous by the Allman Brothers) is right up there but sometimes a melody comes along that defies genres and in so doing enters the soundtrack of your life. For me one such tune is the Mancini/Mercer compositionThe Days Of Wine And Rosesand here Navarro's thoughtful interpretation is tasteful in the extreme.The Test Of Timeis without doubt one of the most interesting releases of the year so far and for serious music lovers everywhere. --Smooth Jazz Therapy