You might have read my post on the 2xbass list about Israel. I have been listening to "Ahmad Jamal - Live at the Pershing & The Spotlight Club" and "George Shearing - Jazz Moments". Both CDs feature Israel and Vernel Fournier, a great drummer with a strong New Orleans feel.
To me, Israel is all about taste and discretion. He never wastes a note. His latin-ey ostinato vamps are usually the highlight of the tune.
The Ahmad CD inspired me to get serious about doublebass a couple of years ago. Lately I have been on a kick of learning standards. I pulled out the Jamal and Shearing CDs because they are full of standards, but everytime I hear Israel, I quit playing along and just stand there thinking "So that's what it's SUPPOSED to sound like".
