Impressions

After producing over 50 albums for other artists in Puerto Rico, Colombia and the U.S., participating as pianist-arranger in more than 100 recordings and writing music for feature films, theater and television, as well as jingles and video games, Israel Tanenbaum is stepping out with something more profoundly personal on Impressions. I've dedicated my entire professional life to writing for others and helping others become who they are or reach whatever it is that they've managed to reach, said the Bronx-born, Puerto Rican bred musician who spent ten productive years in Colombia as a producer-composer-arranger-player for Orquesta Guayacán, Checo Acosta and Alfredo de la Fe, among many others. I've produced so much music for so many artists and that's been fulfilling to me. And now at this stage of the game, I've decided, 'It's about time you do something for yourself.' Leading a talented crew of players who hail from Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and New York City, Tanenbaum creates irresistible mambos, danzons and descargas that showcase his refined arrangements and typically uncommon choices while also revisiting his musical roots and rekindling some nostalgic memories along the way. I've got all this stuff bottled up inside me, said Tanenbaum, who has worked with such renowned salsa and Latin jazz artists as Pete El Conde Rodríguez, Juancito Torres, Marvin Santiago, Dave Valentin and Alfredo de la Fe and also played in popular groups like Batacumbele, Zaperoko, and Roberto Roena's Apollo Sound, where he served as musical director for two years. I know that one album isn't going to resolve everything but I would eventually like to put everything out there. Impressions kicks off with the alluring guaracha Strange Destiny punctuated by tight, brisk horn arrangements and incorporating a wordless vocal choir of Diana Serna, Gustavo Rodriguez and Daniel Silva. Bill Milkowski