The opening "Gozambique," employing the Cuban Mozambique rhythm, is an uptempo, improvised tune that puts Malkiel's band on full display. With various horns, percussion, bass, and piano all taking solos at one point or another, this tune is all about joy. The slinky "Choro For Anat" (Brazilian Choro style), with its winding unison lines, will again keep the dancers out on the floor — and props to Dave Hertzberg, who takes an absolute killer bass solo. Duke Ellington's "Black and Tan Fantasy" is slowed down to emphasize the blues and the fabulous tuba play of Howard Johnson. "Blue Bomba" is actually two tracks, the first being a bluesy introduction featuring Malkiel's trombone that then segues into the Bomba rhythm "dance party." It's all just too much fun!

But now it's time for the bride and groom, time to spend a little time celebrating their transition to being a couple. Time for romance.

"Stardust" is presented by a smaller ensemble in the lilting Danzon style. Elegant, is the word. "Los Tres Juanes" is about three brothers looking to the Virgin Mary for help (their ship is sinking), and the vocal performance put in by Abraham Rodriguez is just stunning. Surely not a romantic story, but hey, maybe one of the brothers was to get married soon? The two-part "Nature" boy foreshadows the celebration to come by starting out with the sultry Columbian Porro before turning up the heat via the Cumbia rhythm. And speaking of sultry, My Island finishes with the Cuban Guajira rhythm on the lovely "Guajira Con Trombon." Is there such a thing as "too sultry"? I don't think so!

When this whole wedding reception thing came to mind, there was some hesitation on my part. I didn't want to make light of this amazing and varied collection of songs. It occurred to me though, that one of the reasons the music drew me back to those receptions was the mystery of the event. I was a little kid then, and even though I knew that the "happy couple"'s lives were about to change, I had no real idea what that meant. That mystery was strong enough in my mind to give extra weight to the music. Now that I understand the mystery, the music seems that much more powerful.