Sunday Magazine, "Aggelioforos"
with article on Christos (below) saying,
"Christos is on the path to great success!"

Jazz Times

Jazz Times Magazine's "2002 Year in Review" issue lists Manhattan Vibes' debut album as a "Top Ten" of the year pick!

CHRISTOS RAFALIDES
Christos Rafalides’ Manhattan Vibes
(Khaeon)

"The self-titled debut of this powerful, vibes-based Latin-jazz-funk trio must represent a pleasant surprise for those music lovers who keep expecting the unexpected (meaning an antidote to the formulaic clichés applied ad infinitum in today’s music scene).

Therefore, one must applaud this trio’s leader / vibraphonist / marimbero/ composer/ arranger, the one and only Christos Rafalides, for not falling into the aforesaid traps, although it must be no-ted that the protagonist from the land of Socrates and Aristotle was fortunate to count on the logistical support of a couple of equally gifted subjects -drummer/ percussionist Steve Hass and electric/ acoustic bassist John Benitez-in addition to several talented guests.

The incendiary mix of originals and standards presents a unique message, as confirmed in the following assessment provided by the New York-based vibraphonist Joe Locke: “This is truly world music; an expression of a global reality as felt in the vibes that permeate the streets of the city we love.”

If you have any doubts, listen to the albums amazing first track, Rafalides, Flamingo Strut or the amusing Rafalides/Benitez arrangement of Tite Curet Alonso’s La Esencia del Guaguanco. (LT) "

Jazz Review

"...Rafalides has developed his own attitude about music--an attitude that involves multi-cultural references as well as the significance of danceable rhythms in all of his music.

Manhattan Vibes knows the sound it wants to project, and it has developed its own repertoire and approach to achieve its results. No doubt even more fun in a live club atmosphere, the group, while acknowledging the numerous cultural influences contributing to its musicians' development, projects a sense of fun and discovery. "
http://www.jazzreview.com/cdreview.cfm?ID=2805

"Wholly percussion-oriented Manhattan Vibes throbs from one piece to the next.... Christos Rafalides is forging a new direction for the vibraphone/marimba. Rhythmically driven and spatially exact, Christos Rafalides' music reaches deep into the Latin consciousness and pulls out the perfect vibe."
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0302_038.htm

The All Music Guide

"A talented vibraphonist, Rafalides builds upon this sturdy foundation with imaginative solos and clever orchestrational detail.

A promising debut by a vibist/arranger/composer capable of moving in any of a number of directions in the future."
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=All2ibk09aakn

"This is one of the best trios you will have the pleasure of hearing. You have not heard Caravan like this before. Get ready.
Highly recommended. "
http://www.descarga.com/cgi-bin/db/19079.10?yPUGmmw6;;62

Jazz Review

On his first CD as a leader, vibraphonist Christos Rafalides' Manhattan Vibes has recorded an amazingly creative and eclectic debut.

Listening to Christos' handling of standards such as Fool On The Hill, Caravan and All The Things You Are has made me a fan of the vibraphone.

This CD is a delight! I'll look for more from Christos Rafalides and Manhattan Vibes.
http://www.jazzreview.com/cdreview.cfm?ID=2903

Manhattan Vibes is the first outing under his own name for Rafalides and I think his career could be well worth following.

They say jazz sales are struggling again, but if discs like this were pushed towards the post-acid jazz crowd, then I think they would do much better than with the Mainstream fan to whom they are mostly, at present, directed.
http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/r/rafalideschristos-manhattan.shtml

United Press International, "Jazz Condition"

Here are one writer's choices for the top jazz recordings and reissues of 2002.
The 10 best new jazz releases:

... Christos Rafalides, "Manhattan Vibes" (Khaeon)
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20021215-021717-1767r

#8 NEW - LA ESENCIA DEL GUAGUANCO:
Christos Rafalides, Manhattan Vibes - Khaeon
http://laritmo.com/mag/?id=953

PLAYBOY

“Ten Promising Greeks in NYC a year after September 11th”

DIFONO

Preceding a series of concerts throughout Greece, Christos talks about his career as a jazz performer in New York City and his collaboration with the house band of the legendary “Blue Note” jazz club.

STATUS

Cover: “the 100 most Important Greeks of the Century” Collector’s Special Edition. The Greatest Greek magazine of all time.

The article was: “ 140 young Greeks that will lead in the new Millennium”

This millennium special edition includes Christos among the most promising young Greeks of the century, presenting his achievements in both academic and professional worlds.

Miami (Arturo Gomez/WDNA)
#19: "La Essencia Del Guanguanco"

Los Angeles (Guido Herrera/KXLU)
#4: "La Essencia Del Guanguanco"

Los Angeles (Guido Herrera/KXLU)
#11: "Caravan"

New York (Vicki Sola/WFDU)
#12: "La Essencia Del Guanguanco"

Atlanta (Tomas Algarin/WCLK)
#8: "Flamingo Strut"

Los Angeles (Guido Herrera/KXLU)
#19: "Sweet"

New York (Vicki Sola/WFDU)
#11: "La Essencia Del Guanguanco"