Rafi Malkiel is a continental man.  Born in Jerusalem and now based in New York, this composer and trombonist boasts an impressive career playing as a member of such ensembles as Salsa Picante, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and The Willie Colon Orchestra.  He has also appeared on more than 40 Jazz, Latin and Rock albums to name but a few accomplishments.

My Island is his debut as leader and according to his comments, his goal in creating this CD was to "present orchestrated and improvised music.....setting the passion and fire of a night spent at a Latin music club."

I don't know about spending the night at a club, but listening to this CD I was certainly transported on an island holiday and my first stop was Cuba. The first track of My Island, "Gozambique" brings me to Havana where I find myself dancing down a busy street. There is something so very distinctive about Cuban music.  The sound, rhythm and heat carry emotions beyond mere words. 

Equally distinct in sound is the New Orleans march. In  "Black and Tan Fantasy" the trombone is very clearly speaking to me.  It whispers naughty sweet nothings at the back of my neck while I saunter down to the French Quarter for a funeral procession in a too tight black dress and champagne high heels.  Hey, it's a fantasy right?

"Los Tres Juanes" is a lovely ballad complemented by the poetic vocal style of singer Abraham Rodriguez. Here the rhythm relaxes and I can picture myself in a nearly empty ballroom at the end of a long and lively night of dancing.  The orchestra is playing yet one more song for the love sick couple that can't seem to stop embracing long enough to leave the dance floor.

This is followed by two standard classics, "Nature Boy" and "Stardust."  If I have one major complaint about this CD is that I would like to change the order of the songs.  These successive pieces keep a slow rhythmic beat going for so long that the effect is hypnotizing.  I find myself sinfully reaching for the fast forward button half way through "Stardust."

I am, thus, very happy to be mentally traveling again with the warm and lively "Coballende" where the rich vocals complement that distinct Cuban beat.