Rafi Malkiel	Website:	www.RafiMalkiel.com
	Genre(s):	Latin Jazz, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Big Band Jazz, Caribbean, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Colombian, Brazilian, Traditional New Orleans Jazz, Salsa, World Fusion
	Instrument(s):	Trombone, Euphonium, Band Leader, Conductor
	Trademark(s):	Big Band Orchestration, Latin, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Stylings, World Music Influences, World Class Orchestration
	Album(s):	My Island
	Collaborations:	Cardamon Quartet
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Producing a phenomenal new set of stunning world music arrangement, Rafi Malkiel demands recognization as a world class musician / composer with his explosive 2007, world fusion jazz release, My Island. Delivering a substantial total of thirteen riveting, Latin-flavored jazz tracks on the album, Malkiel pens the scores for seven world class, original compositions that span seven different musical forms deriving from various Latin American regions including the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Colombia. But, Malkiel does not stop at seven distinct musical forms on this colossal world music effort, as each composition on the album is derived from a musical style different from all others on the album. In all, the album spans the diverse styles and forms including New Orleans' march in the style of Ellington & Armstrong, Colombian Fandango, Porro-Cumbia, also of Columbia, traditional Bolero, Bomba from Puerto Rico, fugue originating from Baroque-era classical, Brazilian Choro, as well as Mozambique, Danzon-Cha, Son, and Guajira, all four Cuban forms. Add to this mix, the stylings of multiple eras of jazz, multiple periods of European / Classical, Salsa, African and Latin rhythms, and other elements of Latin American folk music, and the resulting music that Malkiel has produced is wonderously rich and sophisticatedly seasoned with world music ingredients.

In order to ensure skillful execution of the scores commensurate with Malkiel's superb talents for composition, arrangement, and conducting, Malkiel has lined up a staggering array of talent to execute his works, the core ensemble being comprised of saxophone and clarinet virtuoso, Anat Cohen, hailing from the world music renown of the Paquito D'Rivera era of Dizzy Gillespie's United Nation Orchestra, the capable, emerging talent of flautist, Itai Kriss, the diverse experience of Colombia-born pianist, Jack Glottman, seasoned Latin jazz and Salsa trumpeter Steve Gluzband, renown Latin music percussionist, Anthony Carrillo, and premiere Cuban-style vocalist Abraham Rodriguez, among others. Together this cast of colorful characters apply their craftful artistry to weave a newfangled tapestry of savory, savvy melodius harmony that forges forward from the respected traditions of the pioneers of Latin / Afro-Cuban orchestral jazz, such as the aforementioned Dizzy Gillespie, Chico O'Farrill, and Paquito D'Rivero, as well as gaining fuel from other Latin artists ranging from the rhythmic-intensive, Latin Soul innovator, Poncho Sanchez, Salsa jazz favorite, Eddie Palmieri, and other music deriving from the percussive mastery of Giovanni Hidalgo.

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My Island is a spirited album possessing grace, refinement, and elegance making it suitable for entertaining, fine dining environments, cocktail lounges, office environments, as well as casual listening for enjoyment and relaxation. Fashioned with a frame reminiscent of the United Nation Orchestra albums, Rafil Malkiel has produced a diverse world fusion effort incorporating savory Latin and world music flavors with wide ranging appeal. Discriminating fans of the orchestral Latin jazz of Afro-Cuban favorites such as the UNO, Paquito D'Rivera, and Eddie Palmieri, will surely be happy to add this tasty album to their collections. Fans of the Salsa music of such vocal-centric artists such as Willie Colon, Oscar d'Leon, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Ruben Blades, and Celia Cruz, that thrive on the instrumentation that backs up those acts and crave for a higher octane version of the underlying instrumentation, will find the musical quality that satisfies that hunger on this album too. Fans of the rhythmic stylings of Latin percussion masters such as Tito Puente, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Poncho Sanchez will enjoy this album for its intensive Latin rhythms and African derivative percussive instrumentation driven predominantly by the very capable Anthony Carrillo. Drawing broadly from his extensive experiences spanning a wide swath of style ranging from Coltrane to Salsa and other world music instrumental efforts, Malkiel has struck a great equilibrium on this album by balancing familiarity, via the incorporation of diverse, accessible influences into familiar forms, with crafting a unique sound and style, reminiscent of Poncho Sanchez in this regard.

More about Anat Cohen in the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival Review (Click Here)

Ratings:

Composition: 9 / 10

Execution / Performance: 9.5 / 10

Improvisation: 9.0 / 10

Originality: 8 / 10

Relative Accessibility: 8.5 / 10

Lyricism: 9 / 10

Harmonization: 9 / 10

Rhythm: 9 / 10

Timing: 8.5 / 10

Technical Complexity: 9.5 / 10

Production: 9 / 10

Coolness: Very Hip

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