presents - International Music Network

PRESENTS
“This one-man Middle East peace accord makes
music that is an ambitious celebration
of multicultural diversity. The ethnic
elements are cleverly rewired with
modern grooves to create an
ambient journey that thrillingly
bridges the traditional and the
modern.”
--The Times (London, UK)
The Idan Raichel Project breaks down walls and musical boundaries
with their second international release. Within My Walls features a
diverse roster of guests and promises to bring even greater
worldwide fame to this unique multicultural collective.
•
A moving new album from one of the most exciting,
biggest-selling and internationally recognized Israeli artists
•
Features guest appearances from Mayra Andrade (Cape Verde).
Marta Gómez (Colombia), Somi (Rwanda/Uganda) and others
•
Massive international publicity campaign targeting trend setting
and mainstream press, television, and internet outlets.
•
•
Four music videos for use in internet, retail and TV promotions.
•
The CD package is a beautiful 6-panel digipak with a 32-page
booklet.
•
North American, European and Latin American tour dates confirmed in major markets and large venues.
•
The tenth release from Cumbancha, the acclaimed label founded
by head of A&R at Putumayo World Music.
Aggressive radio promotions campaigns in key markets with the
goal of reaching #1 on all relevant charts.
ARTIST: The Idan Raichel Project
TITLE: Within My Walls
FILE UNDER: Israel/World
CAT. NO.: CMB-CD-10
S
ix years ago, when Israeli keyboardist and composer Idan Raichel was an
unknown musician working in a home studio in his parent’s basement
in a small city near Tel Aviv, fusing Israeli pop music with Middle Eastern,
African, Indian and other global sounds, he never anticipated the impact
his unique approach would soon have. His “experiment” resulted in one
of the biggest-selling records in Israeli history and propelled him to become a major figure in the international global music scene. On the
heels of that explosive rise in popularity, record-breaking sales in Israel
and sold-out performances across the globe to rapturous crowds in
some of the world’s most prestigious venues, he returns to lead The
Idan Raichel Project for their second international album, Within My
Walls.
Much of Within My Walls was recorded over the past few years
while Idan was on tour, during recording sessions in hotel
rooms, backstage dressing areas, private homes and other impromptu settings. His poetic lyrics reflect these travels and
contemplations; sung in Hebrew, Moroccan Arabic, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole and Swahili, the songs address the
struggle for personal fulfillment and the true meaning of love
in a conflicted and complex world. Along the way, Idan recorded and co-wrote songs with Colombian singer Marta
Gómez, Cape Verdean luminary Mayra Andrade and the
silken-voiced Somi of Rwandan and Ugandan heritage.
Inspired by the lush, moody strings of Nick Drake, Idan
assembled a 24-piece orchestra and worked with Israeli
arranger Assaf Dar to transpose his engaging melodies
into an orchestral format. Idan also invited some of his
favorite musicians, such as Middle Eastern percussionist
Zohar Fresco, traditional flute and woodwinds specialist Eyal Sela, Mark Eliyahu on kamancheh (a traditional
Persion fiddle), and legendary bassist Alon Nadel to lend
their talents to the recording. The result is a deeply moving recording, overflowing with rich melodies, engaging
poetry, stunning vocal performances and intricate arrangements.
“To say that everything that has happened in the past
six years was the fulfillment of a dream would imply that
I even dreamed that any of this could happen,” notes the
humble Raichel, whose rise to fame was as much a shock
to him as it was the skeptical Israeli music industry executives who said his multilingual, cross-cultural fusions
would never find mainstream acceptance. Along the way,
his fan base has grown to include a wide, multigenerational
public of non-Israelis, not to mention a few celebrities such
as India.Arie, Green Day producer Rob Cavallo, and movie
star Natalie Portman. Now, with a string of radio hits and concerts at the Sydney Opera House, the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles,
New York’s Central Park SummerStage, not to mention shows in India,
Hong Kong, Mexico City, Moscow, Singapore, and more under his belt,
Raichel admits that the reality has exceeded even his wildest dreams.
Press Kit: http://www.cumbancha.com/albums/idanraichelproject/press
For more information, review copies, song lyrics & descriptions, interviews,
photographs, tour dates and other support materials, etc. please contact:
[email protected] / www.cumbancha.com
The Idan Raichel Project Breaks Down Walls and Musical
Boundaries with Their Second International Release
Within My Walls features a diverse roster of guests and promises to bring
even greater worldwide fame to this unique multicultural collective
US/Canada Release Date: February 24, 2009
Europe and the Rest of the World: Late March, 2009 (Date differs per territory)
For more information, review copies, song lyrics & descriptions, interviews,
photographs, tour dates and other support materials, etc. please contact:
Simeon Chapin @ Cumbancha
Tel: +1 (802) 425-2118 * Fax: +1 (866) 340-0054
Email: [email protected] * Web: www.cumbancha.com
Press Kit: http://www.cumbancha.com/albums/idanraichelproject/press
DECEMBER 2008 - Six years ago, when Israeli keyboardist and composer Idan Raichel was an unknown musician working
in a home studio in his parent’s basement in a small city near Tel Aviv, he never imagined that his experiments fusing
Israeli pop music with Middle Eastern, African, Indian and other global sounds would ever result in the biggest-selling
records in Israeli history and propel him to a role as a major figure in the international global music scene. The Idan
Raichel Project’s explosive rise saw the multicultural collaborative break sales records in Israel and perform across the
globe to rapturous crowds in some of the world’s most prestigious venues. Along the way, his fan base has grown to
include a wide, multigenerational public of non-Israelis, not to mention a few celebrities such as India.Arie, Green Day
producer Rob Cavallo, and movie star Natalie Portman.
It was with this new perspective informed by growing fame and world travels that the dreadlocked leader of this
groundbreaking ensemble returned to the recording studio to produce the Project’s second international release, Within
My Walls. The new album will be released by Cumbancha in the US & Canada on February 24th and in the rest of
the world one month later. Meanwhile, the Project is gearing up for extensive international touring, bringing an
expanded lineup of a diverse mix of musicians to major stages throughout the coming year.
“To say that everything that has happened in the past six years was the fulfillment of a dream would imply that I even
dreamed that any of this could happen,” notes the humble Raichel, whose rise to fame was as much a shock to him as it
was the skeptical Israeli music industry executives who said his multilingual, cross-cultural fusions would never find
mainstream acceptance. Now, with a string of radio hits and concerts at the Sydney Opera House, the Kodak Theater in
Los Angeles, New York’s Central Park SummerStage, as well as concerts in India, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Moscow,
Singapore, and more under his belt, Raichel admits that the reality has exceeded even his wildest dreams.
Indeed, themes of dreams versus reality, the conflicting desire to explore the world or stick with the comforts of home,
and questions regarding how a person achieves personal fulfillment and true love are the underpinnings of Idan Raichel’s
new album. Raichel imagines a person who wakes up in the morning without a dream to fulfill. Does he remain confined
within the walls of his room, laying in bed and dreaming of the world outside? Or does he find a reason to leave the room
and discover what the world has to offer. Raichel seems to be wondering, which is better, the dream – or the reality? The
songs’ poetic lyrics, performed in Hebrew, Spanish, Arabic and Swahili, propose no answers, but lead the listener to
ponder their own conclusions.
Much of Within My Walls was recorded over the past few years while Idan was on tour, during recording sessions in hotel
rooms, backstage dressing areas, private homes and other impromptu settings. During his extensive travels, Idan met
with scores of musicians from diverse backgrounds, and ever the collaborator, he made sure to exchange musical ideas
with them. Along the way, he recorded and co-wrote songs with Colombian singer Marta Gómez, Cape Verdean
luminary Mayra Andrade and the silken-voiced Somi of Rwandan and Ugandan heritage.
Returning to Israel with basic tracks from his musical collaborations while on the road, Idan retreated to a small studio in
Tel Aviv with his usual co-producer, Gilad Shmueli. Inspired by the lush, moody strings of British singer-songwriter Nick
Drake, Idan assembled a 24-piece orchestra and worked with Israeli arranger Assaf Dar to transpose his engaging
melodies to an orchestral setting. Idan also invited some of his favorite musicians, such as percussionist Zohar Fresco,
traditional flute and woodwinds specialist Eyal Sela, Mark Eliyahu on kamancheh (a traditional Persian spike fiddle), and
legendary bassist Alon Nadel to lend their talents to the recording.
Idan also has a gift for finding the perfect vocalists to fit his compositions, including longtime collaborator Maya
Avraham, as well as rising stars Amir Dadon, Anat Ben Hamo and Ilan Damti. Idan invited Moroccan-Israeli singer
Shimon Buskila to sing and write lyrics for the emotionally wrenching track “From the Day You Left”, a raw Arabiclanguage ode to the singer’s late mother. Much to the delight of his fans, Idan steps out from behind the keyboard and
sings three songs himself.
The result is a deeply moving recording, overflowing with rich melodies, engaging poetry, stunning vocal performances
and intricate arrangements. The album opens with the dreamlike “All the Words”, which features the enchanting
Spanish-language vocals of Marta Gómez. “She wrote her own words for this and I recorded it,” notes Idan, “It’s a very
simple production, just her voice over the percussion her husband, Argentinean percussionist Franco Pinna, laid down.
Then I brought it back to Israel and added the Middle Eastern strings, the tar and the oud, and also the flutes, just to make
it closer to my home, so it would sound like an Israeli track rather than a South American one.”
The album’s title track follows, featuring Idan on vocals. With its lyrics dealing with walls and the way they simultaneously
protect and isolate people, it is easy to interpret the song as a commentary on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but Idan
denies any overt political agenda in his songs. “I have a strong political view about the situation in Israel,” he points out,
“But I refuse to say what I think about it because I still see myself as a representative for the musicians and singers of the
Project in and out of Israel. We may have opposing viewpoints, but we can relate on an artistic level, and I don’t want
differences of opinion on politics to come between us.”
However, Idan does admit “You cannot close people in walls. They’ll immediately want to break them. Even if you have a
kid and you want him to stay away from something, you don’t build a wall around him to force him to stay away, you just
explain to him why it’s important to stay away from this. If you just build a wall and say to stay away, he will break the
wall and want to get there anyway.”
Another highlight of Within My Walls is the soulful Cape Verdean Creole song “With My Eyes Shut” sung by Mayra
Andrade. Idan met Mayra in Paris and was immediately impressed with her talent and professionalism. “Mayra not only
knows where she’s heading to all the time, because she’s managing a great career, but she always remembers where she
came from,” notes Idan, “I think other young people in her age group might do some rap music or whatever, but she still
adores and appreciates the music she grew up with.” The two recorded Mayra’s vocals in the conference room of a
Parisian hotel where Idan set up a remote studio.
The album closes with a heart-wrenching performance by African singer Somi, who sings in Swahili of a young orphaned
girl who calls to light of the moon for someone to save her. During the recording of the song, Somi became so immersed
in the mournful tale of the impact of war and violence on Africa’s youth that she was brought to tears. Magically, the song
manages to make a connection both thematically and musically with the impact of the Holocaust on Idan’s own family.
“The melody of “Maisha” is like a Jewish song from Poland,” he points out, “It is very influenced by the melodies I heard in
my grandmother’s house, very Eastern European, very simple, yet it goes straight to the heart.”
With the release of Within My Walls, the Idan Raichel Project prepares to embark on their next great adventure by
bringing their music to en even wider audience across the globe. The album will be released by Cumbancha, a record
label founded by Jacob Edgar, the longtime head of the A&R and music research at Putumayo. Dedicated to presenting
exceptional artists from around the world to a wider audience, Cumbancha has worked closely with the Idan Raichel
Project since it released their eponymous first international release in the fall of 2006. With major tour dates planned for
2009 in North America, Europe, Latin America and other regions, the Idan Raichel Project will be breaking down walls for
years to come.
Biography
The Idan Raichel Project burst onto Israel’s music scene in 2002, changing the face of Israeli popular music and offering
a message of love and tolerance that resonated strongly in a region of the world where headlines are too often
dominated by conflict. With an enchanting blend of African, Latin American, Caribbean and Middle Eastern sounds
coupled with sophisticated production techniques and a spectacular live show, the Idan Raichel Project has become one
of the most unexpected success stories in Israeli music history.
The architect of this unique recording project, is keyboardist, producer and composer Idan Raichel. Originally from Kfar
Saba, Israel, a small city near his current home of Tel Aviv, Idan was born in 1977 to a family with Eastern European roots,
and although music was an important part of his upbringing, his parents did not place much emphasis on performing
music from his particular cultural background. “I think the fact that I didn’t have strong family musical roots is what made
me be very open to music from all over the world,” says Idan.
He started playing the accordion at the age of nine, and even at this young age was attracted to the exotic sounds of
Gypsy music and tango. As a teenager, Idan began playing keyboards, and studied jazz in high school, honing his skills at
improvisation and working with other musicians. In Israel, military service is mandatory for all young men and women,
and at 18 Idan was conscripted into the Israeli army. Rather then heading to the front lines in this volatile region, Idan
joined the Army rock band and toured military bases performing covers of Israeli and European pop hits. As the musical
director of the group, he became adept at arrangements and producing live shows, making his Army experience
productive and positive.
After completing his service, Idan started working as a counselor at a boarding school for immigrants and troubled youth.
Notably, the school was filled with young people from Ethiopia who were part of Israel’s growing community of
Ethiopian Jews. Idan developed friendships with members of the Ethiopian community and began to explore Ethiopian
music and culture. He started going to Ethiopian bars and clubs and soon was invited to Ethiopian synagogues,
weddings and ceremonies.
Meanwhile, Idan had become a successful backup musician and recording session player for some of Israel’s most
popular musicians. He decided it was time to pursue a project that reflected his musical ideals, and began working on a
demo recording in a small studio he set up in the basement of his parent’s home. Idan invited over 70 of his friends and
colleagues from Israel’s diverse music scene to participate in the recordings. He never expected his musical experiments
to turn him into Israel’s biggest musical phenomenon in recent memory.
While most of the Israeli labels considered his work too “ethnic” and too outside of the norms of the formulaic Israeli pop
scene, one A&R man, Gadi Gidor at Helicon Records, instantly heard the potential in Idan’s work and quickly signed him
on to the roster. The subsequent album was an immediate hit. The haunting Ethiopian chorus of the first single, “Bo’ee”
(Come With Me), sounded completely unlike anything most Israelis had heard before, yet, coupled with Idan’s richly
poetic lyrics of love and devotion and sophisticated production techniques, the single was a huge success. The album
went on to sell over 150,000 copies (triple platinum) and firmly establish Idan as a new type of Israeli pop star.
Interest in the recording began to grow while demand for live shows increased, including an offer from the prestigious
Opera House of Tel Aviv. Given the number of musicians who participated in the recordings, it would have been
impossible to have them all appear on stage. Idan chose seven members in addition to himself who were both versatile
and strong individual artists in their own right. “There would be no front man,” Idan said of the concept, “I would sit at the
side and watch things and see what occurs. Every song would have a different singer, we would sit in a half circle and
each musician would have a chance to demonstrate what they have to offer.” The live show became symbolic of the
album, as it brought together a group of people of different backgrounds but each is equal to the other.
This sentiment is reflected in the decision to name the collective The Idan Raichel Project. Says Raichel, “If I had called the
album just ‘Idan Raichel,’ people would have thought that Raichel is the main voice on all the songs. I wrote the songs
and I arranged and produced them, but I perform them together with other vocalists and musicians. On the other hand,
we are not a group. It’s something in between.”
In January 2006, The Idan Raichel Project traveled to Ethiopia, the land that had inspired so much of its music. The trip
marked the first time two of the Project’s lead vocalists were able to return to the land of their birth and also the first time
an Israeli artist had performed in Ethiopia. The Idan Raichel Project opened the Fifth Ethiopian Music Festival in Addis
Ababa, sharing the stage with top Ethiopian performers, including the legendary Mahmoud Ahmed, and were happy to
learn that their songs “Bo'ee” and “Mi’Ma’amakim” had earned a fair share of local radio airplay. The story of the Project’s
emotional trip to Israel became the basis of the documentary film Black Over White.
In the fall of 2006, the record label Cumbancha released the music of The Idan Raichel Project worldwide, bringing even
more renown to this inspirational collective. Billboard Magazine called their international release “One of the most
fascinating titles to emerge in world music this year…a multi-ethnic tour de force.” The New York Times selected the
album as one of the top world music releases of the year, and media from Peru to Portugal was unanimous in their praise.
The album also received a nomination as one of the best world music albums of the year by the BBC Radio 3 Award for
World Music.
Known around the world, especially in circles of Jewish, Ethiopian and Israeli communities, the Idan Raichel Project
regularly sells out concerts in large performance venues. Since the international release, The Idan Raichel Project has
headlined at New York’s prestigious Central Park SummerStage, the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, the Sydney Opera
House and performed across Europe as well as in Mexico City, Sydney, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Singapore, and Mumbai.
Future touring plans include South Africa and South America. Wherever they perform, The Project unifies the audience in
a celebration of that which is unique about the cultures of the world, as well as that in which we are all alike.
In November 2008, The Idan Raichel Project released the album Within My Walls (Bein Kirot Beiti) in Israel to
tremendous acclaim. The album is to be released worldwide outside of Israel by Cumbancha in early 2009. Much of
Within My Walls was recorded over the past few years while Idan was on tour, during recording sessions in hotel rooms,
backstage dressing areas, private homes and other impromptu settings. His poetic lyrics reflect these travels and
contemplations; sung in Hebrew, Moroccan Arabic, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole and Swahili, the songs address the
struggle for personal fulfillment and the true meaning of love in a conflicted and complex world.
For Within My Walls, Idan recorded and co-wrote songs with Colombian singer Marta Gómez, Cape Verdean luminary
Mayra Andrade and the silken-voiced Somi of Rwandan and Ugandan heritage. Inspired by the lush, moody strings of
Nick Drake, Idan assembled a 24-piece orchestra and worked with Israeli arranger Assaf Dar to transpose his engaging
melodies into an orchestral format. Idan also invited some of his favorite musicians, such as Middle Eastern percussionist
Zohar Fresco, traditional flute and woodwinds specialist Eyal Sela, Mark Eliyahu on kamancheh (a traditional Persion
fiddle), and legendary bassist Alon Nadel to lend their talents to the recording. The result is a deeply moving recording,
overflowing with rich melodies, engaging poetry, stunning vocal performances and intricate arrangements.
With the release of Within My Walls, the Idan Raichel Project prepares to embark on their next great adventure by
bringing their music to en even wider audience across the globe. With major tour dates planned for 2009 in North
America, Europe, Latin America and other regions, the Idan Raichel Project will be breaking down walls for years to come.
Hi-resolution photos, detailed biographies, tour dates, music videos and other materials are available for download at:
http://www.cumbancha.com/albums/idanraichelproject/press
Within My Walls Featured Artist Biographies
Mayra Andrade - Although she was born in Cuba, the young singer Mayra Andrade grew up surrounded buy the Cape
Verdean music and culture of her parents. She started performing at the age of sixteen and released her highly praised
debut album in 2006. She has since become one of the most popular artists in the international world music scene,
performing at New York’s Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues. Idan met Mayra in Paris, where she now lives, and,
impressed with her lovely voice and presence, invited her to write Creole lyrics and sing on the song “With My Eyes Shut.”
Maya Avraham - The collaboration with Maya started with The Idan Raichel Project's second Israeli album, Out Of The
Depths, on which Maya was the featured soloist on the song “From All the Loves.” Maya joined the touring cast of The
Project and performed with Idan around the world. A year ago Maya released her first solo album and she is now
collecting songs for her second album. Maya was delighted to accept Idan's invitation to sing 'Stay' on the new IRP
album.
Anat Ben-Hamo – A young singer-songwriter who used to sing solo with the jazz band Common Band. Anat is currently
working with her brother on an album influenced by the American folk singers of the ‘60s. Idan saw Anat performing,
loved her voice, her professionalism and her special approach to her music and invited her to record the song “River
Waters.”
Shimon Buskila – A popular singer of Moroccan heritage, Buskila is the founder of the band Sahar, with whom he has
released two albums. Shimon has also written many songs for other artists and has released two solo albums. Shimon
was honored to write for Idan and their collaboration developed into the song “From the Day You Left.”
Amir Dadon – A singer and musician, Amir started his musical career as a child in Eilat, a city on the southern border of
Israel, where Israel meets Egypt and Jordan. In 2001 Amir began performing with his band, taking his original material to
audiences up and down the country. He signed with Israeli label Helicon Records in January 2008 and is currently
completing work on his first album. The connection between Amir and Idan came about when Gilad Shmueli, Idan's coproducer, heard Amir perform and was so impressed he introduced him to Idan. Idan liked what he saw and heard and
decided to record the song 'Scraps of Life' with Amir.
Ilan Damti – This is the second time that Idan has asked Ilan to sing on one of The Project's albums, the first time being
on the second Israeli album Out Of The Depths for which Ilan soloed on the song “Shuvi El Beiti.” As well as singing on The
Project's albums, Ilan works as the lighting operator for its shows. On the new album Ilan sings the song 'Most of The
Hours'.
Marta Gómez – Since graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music, Colombian singer and
songwriter Marta Gómez has earned a devoted following through her successful touring and recording career. Not
withstanding her youth, Marta has written over 70 songs, and has four critically acclaimed albums under her belt. She
now lives in the New York City area and is backed in concert by a band that includes her husband, Argentinean
percussionist Franco Pinna.
David “Duke Mushroom” Schommer - A New York-based musician and producer, David Schommer started playing
drums and keyboards when he was just 5 years old, founded his first band when he was 10 and went on to study at
Boston’s prestigious Berklee School of Music. Schommer has worked in the techno scene of Detroit, the TV and film
industry in Los Angeles, and even took a turn Off-Broadway as a member of the original US cast of Stomp. Though
earning fame as a producer and musician for pop stars such as Janet Jackson and Gloria Estefan, Schommer decided to
turn his attention to his passion for Ethiopian music, and working with producer Steve Mac, released the acclaimed
album Bole 2 Harlem in 2006. It was during his research for this project in Ethiopia that Schommer first came across Idan
Raichel, and Idan remembers him as the “white guy with a funny beard” that jumped on stage and started dancing
during the Idan Raichel’s Project’s January 2006 concert in Addis Ababa. Eventually, the two formally met in New York
and have become close friends and collaborators.
Gilad Shmueli - Musician and producer, who has played the drums since his childhood, at age 16 Gilad played with a
band called Riding Gimel, formed by his older brothers. At 17, Gilan started playing with Ivri Lider, with whom he still
records and performs, and has also worked with other artists including Funkenstein, Gilad Segev and Ben Artzi. Idan and
Gilad first met when they were both playing with Ivri Lider. Since then and right from The Project's first album, Gilad has
worked with Idan as co-producer and arranger. Gilad also collaborates with Idan in the live shows.
Somi – L. Kabasomi Kakoma, better known as Somi, was born in Illinois to East African parents, whose careers as
diplomats and professors exposed her to music and culture from all over the world. Somi has lived in Zambia, Kenya and
Tanzania, and now makes her home in New York City, where she performs regularly. Somi has released two albums,
which feature her unique blend of jazz, African music and soul. Idan was introduced to Somi through a mutual friend,
Cameroonian singer Kaïssa, and they immediately hit it off and agreed to perform and record together.
Shai Tzabari - Shai took his first musical steps at his neighborhood Yemenite Synagogue, under the wings of his father
the Cantor. Shai studied at the Rimon School of Music and was a member in the band Majik. After numerous
collaborations with other popular Israeli artists, including Ehud Banai, Tal Segev, Zeev Tene, and Bari Saharof, Shai is now
working on his solo album. Idan remembered how struck he was by Shai's voice when he first heard him singing eight
years ago, and invited Shai to record the song “Locked in His Gaze” for the new IRP album.
Hi-resolution photos, detailed biographies, tour dates, music videos and other materials are available for download at:
http://www.cumbancha.com/albums/idanraichelproject/press
Can one musician weave together the disparate cultures
of Israel? Daniel Harris meets the visionary Idan Raichel
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a boarding
though, is about as political as
it with ArabicThe
poetry,
Yemenseems. Now, ing
afterasa world
tour that atinfusing
Weeping chorus
— captures
sentiment
tunes
and lively
beats,
fused
new
immigrants,
immersget,from
preferring to leave debate to
ite chants,
biblicalcatchy
psalms and
Caribhas taken in school
Europe,for
Asia,
Australia
absolutely.
Based
on ahe’ll
passage
into anmanaged
originaltoandthe
exotic
sound, al- it’sthe
ing himself
what he
repeatedly
professionals
and his music to
bean
rhythms, Raichel
and the Americas,
there’s ainfervour
Old Testament,
a message
of
though Raichel
refuses
as “Israel’s
beautiful
melting
speak
his behalf. “We don’t shout
co-ordinate
the disparate
traditions
for an Israeli refers
culturaltoexperience
that
hopetoforreduce
those diswho have
loston
loved
Israel’sRusmulti-ethnic
for once transcends
the political.
in war
and conflict,
regardless
cussioncommunity
of his workones
to an
analysis
of politics
pot”. The
pupils were of
mainly
in ofyour face — on a basic
into a the
single
and coherent
whole. parts:
Five years sians
ago, Raichel
was arrived
work- after
where,
whocan
or how.
its constituent
“You
talk level, our songs are just simple love
who had
colThe
result
is
a
melodic
chorus
of
ing as a counsellor
at
a
boarding
This,
though,
is
about
as
political
lapse of the Soviet Union, and Ethio- about lyrics, melodies and singers as songs. Youas can make social stateschool for new immigrants, immers- catchy tunes and lively beats, fused he’ll get, preferring to leave debate to
pians transported by the various airing himself in what he repeatedly into an original and exotic sound, al- the professionals and his music to
lifts that
brought
morethough
than 10,000
Raichel refuses to reduce dis- speak on his behalf. “We don’t shout
refers to as “Israel’s
beautiful
melting
people
IsraelRusvia cussion
the refugee
of his work to an analysis of politics in your face — on a basic
pot”. The pupils
weretomainly
camps
of Sudan.
constituent parts: “You can talk level, our songs are just simple love
sians who had
arrived
after theRaichel’s
col- its motivation
was helping
teenagers
the lyrics,
cusp of
about
melodies and singers as songs. You can make social statelapse of the Soviet
Union, and
Ethio- on
pians transported
by the various airself-determination
to make sense of different elements, but that detracts ments indirectly, you don’t have to
lifts that brought
more
than
10,000
from thepolitics
overall power
of the songs
it all: “For the very first
timedon’t
they shout
yell.”
“We
in your
face —
onThis
a subtlety is reflected in the
people to Israel
via theto refugee
were forced
challenge themselves, — it’s about the complete entity”.
Project’s new album. If its first two
camps of Sudan. Raichel’s motivation basic level, our songs are simple love songs”
Constantly refreshed by regular records were snapshots of a youthful
to ask themselves, ‘What am I?’ ”
was helping teenagers on the cusp of
immigration,
Israeli
Unlike
mostsense
of theofRussians
Rai- waves
national condifferentinelements,
but that of
detracts
self-determination
to make
ments indirectly,
you and
don’t outward-looking
have to
society’s
absorption
of new
chel’s
thethey
Ethiopian
youngsciousness,
from the
overall power
of the
songs yell.”
it all: “For the
verycharge,
first time
Thisarrivals
subtletyisis reflected
in theshowing to the world
swift. “We
live in
a super-small
sters
tended
to eschew—their
homethe news
it’s about
the complete
entity”.
were forced to
challenge
themselves,
Project’s
new album. Ifwhat
its first
two misses out, the upcomConstantlyinrefreshed
regular
to ask themselves,
I?’ ” of influences
island, by
where
we can’t
cross
thesnapshots
bor- ing
land’s‘What
rich am
tapestry
records
were
of arelease
youthfulis more gnomic and perwaves
of
immigration,
Israeli
Unlike most
of
the
Russians
in
Raiand
outward-looking
national
confavour of the hip-hop and reggae sub- ders around us, so we live together, sonal. “Touring for the past few
new communities.
arrivals is sciousness,
chel’s charge,cultures
the Ethiopian
youngshowing to
the Iworld
We celebrate
that they
foundsociety’s
in the absorption
clubs allofthe
years,
discovered that what I love
swift.
“We
live the
in aMimouna,
super-smallthewhat
sters tended of
to eschew
theirEager
home- that
the news
misses
the is
upcomseventh
day
of out,
Tel Aviv.
they
take
most
just to stay in Tel Aviv, and to
land’s rich tapestry of influences in island, where we can’t cross the bor- ing release is more gnomic and perPassover,
with
the
Moroccan
commupride
in
their
heritage
and
keen
to
travel
inside
not outside — you can
favour of the hip-hop and reggae sub- ders around us, so we live together, sonal. “Touring for the past few
nity, We
we celebrate
go to Henna
aboutin the
it for
himself,
make
own party, your own rave,
all theRaichel
communities.
cultures that learn
they found
clubs
years, Iceremonies
discovered that
whatyour
I love
to explore
and Mimouna,
celebrate the
before
Yemenite
visitin Tel
onAviv,
yourand
own
seventh
day of weddings.
of Tel Aviv.pushed
Eager them
that they
take the
most is justWe
to stay
to in your bedroom. So the
own and
traditions
— “to
makewith
surethe Arab
villages,
we visit
the
Beduin
in record
talks
Passover,
Moroccan
commupride in theirtheir
heritage
keen to
travel
inside
not outside
— you
canabout personal thoughts,
go to Henna
ceremonies
learn about they
it for understood
himself, Raichel
your
ownwith
party, your
rave,
their nity,
rootswebefore
the south,
we servemake
in the
army
like own
going
to a shrink — it’s about the
pushed them they
to explore
and celebrate
beforetook
Yemenite
on your
own
in your bedroom.
the
became
Israelis and
on weddings.
the Druze.We
Wevisit
embrace
it all
because
life of aSoperson
who exists within his
their own traditions
— “to make sure
Arabentails”.
villages, we we’re
visit the
in record
personal
board everything
that that
all Beduin
immigrants,
eachtalks
of usabout
bringownthoughts,
four walls, alone with his
they understood
theiritroots
before
weisserve
the army
with like going to a shrink —thoughts
it’s about and
the dreams.”
What
means
to bethe
ansouth,
Israeli
ingin our
own roots.”
they became Israelis and took on the Druze. We embrace it all because life of a person who exists within his
illustrated perfectly by Raichel’s
own
These claims of integration might
is Raichel’s popularity that
board everything that that entails”.
we’re all immigrants, each of us bring- own four walls, aloneSuch
with his
musical
journey.
As isa child
he own
learnt
seem incompatiblethoughts
with and
Raichel’s
What it means
to be
an Israeli
ing our
roots.”
dreams.” those thoughts and dreams will not
the accordion,
the
Gypsyyears of
nationalSuch
service,
but he popularity
stay inside
his four walls for long. 0
illustrated perfectly
by Raichel’splaying
own
These
claims ofthree
integration
might
is Raichel’s
that
Milei Koleh
inspired
klezmer
that was
a legacy
of disagrees.
“We needthose
the army
to promusical journey.
As a child
he learnt
seem
incompatible
with Raichel’s
thoughts
and dreams
will notMibehi can be
the accordion,
Gypsy-Europe
three upbringyears of national
service,
but hethat’s
stayjust
inside
his four
for long. 0 from iTunes now
downloaded
his playing
parents’the
Eastern
tect us
— sadly,
a fact.
Butwalls
SOUNDS
SOUNDS
W
“We don’t shout politics in your face — on a
basic level, our songs are simple love songs”
inspired klezmer that was a legacy of
his parents’ Eastern Europe upbring-
disagrees. “We need the army to pro-
Milei Koleh Mibehi can be
tect us — sadly, that’s just a fact. But downloaded from iTunes now
24 timesonline.co.uk/theknowledge
August 23 - 29, 2008
24 timesonline.co.uk/theknowledge August 23 - 29, 2008
Friday, January 26, 2007
Circulation: 434,330
Location: BOSTON, MA
BOSTON GLOBE
A Big, Wide World of Music
By JON PARELES
Published: June 29, 2007
‘THE IDAN RAICHEL PROJECT’ (Cumbancha)
The Idan Raichel Project was a huge hit in Israel for good
reason: it envisions a modern, multicultural nation where voices
of young and old, Ethiopian and Yemenite, are all heard in
songs devoted to love and tolerance. Idan Raichel is the
keyboardist, songwriter and producer behind the scenes, and
he’s clearly as familiar with Peter Gabriel as with Middle
Eastern traditions. His arrangements bind the voices together in
somber minor-mode anthems paced by electronic beats,
earnestly seeking to uplift.
YAEL NAÏM
LIEL
KING DJANGO
60@60
NOA
WORLD MUSIC
WORLD MUSIC
C U LT U R E A N D L I F E S T Y L E
C U LT U R E A N D L I F E S T Y L E
world music, culture & lifestyle
.345678,!99:4;
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JUNE 2008, VOL XVII #6
!"#"$%&"!"'!
KOSHER AS THEY
WANNA BE
!"##$%&'
ORCHESTRA
BAOBAB
MASTER
MUSICIANS
OF DAKAR
THE PINKER
TONES
Boys Gone Wild
www.globalrhythm.net
01%#,'#2#
GONE BUT NOT
FORGOTTEN
WWW.GLOBALRHYTHM.NET
JUNE 2008 VOL XVII #6
!"#$%&#%#&'(()%*#)+,)(-)./) when Israeli
singer, songwriter and bandleader
Idan Raichel stepped onto the stage as
the opening act of the fifth Ethiopian
Music Festival in Addis Ababa. This
was January 2006, and Raichel had
only discovered Ethiopian music a
few years before while working at a
boarding school for troubled teens in
Tel Aviv. When he began experimenting with a fusion of Ethiopian, Israeli,
Arab, and other rhythms from around
the world in his basement studio, he
knew it would be an uphill battle to
get the music heard, but he persevered. Surprisingly, the first album
by the international collective he put
together went platinum in Israel,
propelling The Idan Raichel Project
into the global spotlight. His forwardlooking music resulted in an invitation to play in Addis Ababa, and the
artist who extended it was legendary
Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed—
another musician known for his
ability to create unexpected fusions of
diverse musical styles. The group had
already planned to play in Ethiopia,
but Ahmed’s call was a pleasant
surprise. “It was a great honor to meet
him,” Raichel says by phone from
his home in Tel Aviv recently. “Cabra
Casay, one of our lead singers, has
family in Ethiopia, but she was born
in a refugee camp in the Sudan, so
COURTESY OF CUMBANCHA
this was her first time back home.
Another singer, Wagderass Vese, left his family behind [in Ethiopia] when he came
to Israel at age 14, so our trip was a big homecoming.
“We were lucky because we’d taken along a film crew to document Cabra’s return
home. The film will be called Home: Backward and Forward, and deals with the
challenges refugees face in defining their identity. Do they consider themselves
Ethiopian or are they Israeli? This is an ongoing question. Israel is a melting pot,
with people from many cultures living side by side. When people immigrate, they
often have identity problems and try to forget where they came from, especially the
teenage kids. They tend to adopt an American hip-hop identity. When I was working with kids in the boarding school, music was an important way to get to know
them better. I thought if I expressed an interest in their culture, it would help these
Ethiopian kids keep their own roots alive.”
The kids shared their cassettes of Ethiopian reggae, jazz, pop, and folk by artists like Mahmoud Ahmed, Aster Aweke and Ejigayehu “Gigi” Shibabaw—sounds
that captivated Raichel and inspired him to start investigating the country’s rich
32 GLOBAL RHYTHM JUNE_08
musical heritage. He went to Ethiopian bars and clubs and
“My grandfather had an accordion in his home,” he
visited Ethiopian synagogues, weddings and traditional
continues, “and when I was young we used to visit him and
ceremonies. “I got especially interested in the village music
my mother used to play it. I played the instrument for a few
of Ethiopia,” he explains. “The folk music has beautiful
years until I got into high school. Then I got interested in
6/8 rhythms and sinuous melodies. You will hear a drum-
jazz piano, improvisation and electronica. I like electronica,
mer playing with a one string violin player and they will go
but learning how to improvise on the piano in real time got
on and on, like a mantra. If you listen for two minutes, it
me deeper into the music. By the time I joined the army, the
can seem annoying, but after five or ten minutes, it puts
acoustic and electronic had started mixing together.”
you into a trance. It’s like the experience you can have in
In Israel, everybody serves in the military—no exemptions
a dance club; if you stand in the middle of it, it may seem
or exceptions—and like any 18-year-old, Raichel stepped up
noisy, but after five hours of dancing, you’re in an altered
to do his three years and was lucky enough to get into an
state.”
entertainment unit. “I played in different army bands, but
Raichel began dreaming: would it be possible to combine
mostly in a rock band—guitar, bass, drums and keyboards,
the pop music of the Israeli mainstream with the tradi-
with four lead singers. It was my first time playing as a
tional music of the immigrant communities and come up
sideman.” The group played a diverse repertoire of contem-
with something new? Already a successful studio musician,
porary Israeli pop songs and traditional music, international
Raichel played keyboards and
arranged music for pop singers,
but he was looking for his own
identity. “I was doing whatever
they told me, taking any job I was
offered,” he says. “Working at that
!"#$%&"'()*"+,-."(%"/,-#0(",$."+,-."1%-"2%%#'$3"
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boarding school made me understand for the first time what Israel
is all about. Every 15 years or so, there’s a big infusion of
pop and rock hits, as well asfunk and jazz instrumentals.
immigration, and while we are all Israeli, there are many
“We played to boost morale and have fun. I had to learn to
cultures co-existing here. People celebrate Spanish holi-
play in a lot of styles and work with singers from all over
days, Russian holidays and Yemenite holidays. There are
the country. In my third year with the band, I was able to
mini-cultures within the bigger culture. Even today, you
write some keyboard arrangements. It helped me later when
cannot define one Israeli food or tradition because it’s still
I worked as a session player and production musician for
developing—it’s all mixed together. I thought I should make
pop singers.”
music that reflects that.”
The studio skills Raichel picked up in the pop world
served him well when he began writing the music and
;,'9+06)*"'$(0-0*("'$".'<0-*0"956(5-0*
recruiting the participants for what was to become The Idan
Raichel Project. After his stirring introduction to Ethiopian
developed early on. He grew up in a musical family and
music, Raichel retreated to the basement of his parents’
was always attracted to keyboard instruments—or at least,
house in Kfar Saba, a small town outside of Tel Aviv. With
instruments with keyboards built into them. “I grew up
a laptop computer and some recording software, he began
playing the accordion, which is the most uncool instru-
creating his own brand of Israeli music. “I lived in the studio
ment ever,” he confesses. “But the thing is, it’s a worldwide
for four years,” he recalls. “People from all over the country
instrument: from the tango in Argentina, to the waltzes of
came to the basement to contribute their talent to the
France, to Bulgarian wedding music, it’s all played on the
recordings. I had a PC with two inputs and two outputs,
accordion. And Israeli folk music is also based on the ac-
so I was always bouncing tracks down to make space to
cordion, so playing it kept my ears and mind open to music
add more music. The computer was always saying ‘memory
from all over the world. I did try to play some classical
full’ [laughs], so I had to record and then mix right there on
arrangements for accordion, but mostly I was interested in
the laptop. With only two tracks, we had to be creative and
folk music from all over the world. That got me listening to
improvise. It was a great experience.”
salsa, the pop music of Edith Piaf, gypsy music—the music
of many countries.
The ordeal gave Raichel a keen insight into what it means
to pursue a creative vision without compromise, and to
push what little you might have to the limit if it means
realizing that vision. “You know, The Beatles only had four
tracks,” he notes, “and that was using analog [tape], so
what we did is easy compared to what they had to work
Raichel wanted the music to be as culturally diverse as
possible, with inspirational lyrics. “We used Biblical stories
and poems, and lyrics and music from traditional folk songs
from all over the world. I only speak and sing in Hebrew and
English, so I asked the singers to bring texts in their own languages, and I’d compose music for them. If they sang songs
I wrote, I let them do it in their style, in their own language,
so we made some interesting fusions. Even though most of the
artists were Israeli,
they have diverse backgrounds with roots in
Yemen, Ethiopia, Iran,
with. But if I was to recom-
Sudan, Uruguay, and
mend something to musicians,
Suriname. When peo-
I’d say don’t buy too much
ple want me to define
gear—what’s important is your
our sound, I say it’s
heart and your desire to make
Israeli music, not world
music. It’s like what [Italian
music really, because
actor and director] Roberto
all those cultures are
Benigni said when he won an
here living together.”
Oscar: ‘I want to thank my
As soon as he had a
parents for raising me poor.
few tracks finished, Ra-
9"
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it your own way.’ So maybe I
!!!+#,&#!-(."-!%(!/0#!
was lucky to be working on a
!!!%&1'20!+#,3#!4##"!
small budget.”
!!&#'(&)."-!155!(3#&!
Raichel had already written some songs and began
!%6#!+(&5)*!1")!712#!
inviting musicians and singers from various backgrounds to his basement studio. In the end, over 70
!!!!%6#!7/0.'!#3#"!
artists contributed to the first two Idan Raichel Project
!7(&#!."%#&"1%.("158
Being poor, you have so much
more hunger to make it and do
albums. Drummer Gilad Shmueli, a producer himself,
signed on early. Raichel says his unique perspective
ichel sent them around
to his contacts in the
music business. Most
thought the fusion was
too odd and too foreign.
“[But] Gadi Gidor at Helicon
Records said he found it interesting,” Raichel says, remembering his first conversation
with the Israeli label’s A&R
rep. “He liked the way the old-
pushed the project in unexpected directions. “He doesn’t
school Israeli melodies mixed with the music of the immigrants.
understand theory and has no formal musical knowl-
This project is the first time a producer was signed as the main
edge—nothing about harmony or chord structure—but
artist; it’s more usual to sign a band with one singer.”
he has good instincts. He’ll say, ‘I don’t like this sound’
It was Raichel’s determination to use the right singer for the
or ‘There’s not enough bass on this track.’ If you hire a
right song, no matter where they came from or how old they
professional and ask him to play something in C Major,
were, that lends such an overarching feeling of diversity to his
he does it. If you ask someone who doesn’t know, he will
first two albums. “The youngest singer was 16,” he explains,
search around and, in the process, you’ll find a lot of
“and the oldest was Shoshanna Damari, who was 82. She
interesting things. So Gilad is great because his desire is
passed away [in 2006] after making her last recordings for us.
to always search for a new way of doing things, and for
She also participated in some live concerts before she died.”
sounds no one has heard before.”
Many have praised Raichel’s rich, multi-rhythmic
The first album, simply titled The Idan Raichel Project, caused
a sensation, selling over 150,000 copies. The second album,
sound, but he says he didn’t have a specific plan in mind
2005’s Mi’Ma’amakim (Out Of The Depths), has moved 80,000
when he started recording. “The lo-fi equipment gave the
units to date. The Project’s live shows have wowed and sur-
music a special texture,” he insists. “We had only one
prised people with their solid grooves and ever-shifting lineup
microphone, so we had to search for interesting ways
of lead singers. “Everywhere we go,” Raichel says, “we have
to make it work. We put the drums in the kitchen of the
artists asking if they can come on stage and give their input.
house, where the mic picked up an odd reverberation.
We’ve had musicians from Colombia, India, Benin, Argentina,
The piano we used was not in tune, so we had to put a
and Senegal, just in the last few months. They come to a sound
chorus effect and phase shifters on it. People compliment
check and later that day we’re making music together. On our
me on the dense sound of the music, but that came from
next record, we’re going to use tracks we’ve been recording all
bouncing everything down to two tracks.”
over the world, and make the music even more international.”
Raichel’s music was building a major underground buzz when Jacob Edgar of
It’s a prime example of the sound that
the U.S.-based label Cumbancha offered him a chance for an international release.
prevails throughout the album—smooth,
“I thought a compilation would be the best way to go,” Edgar says. “There’s great
lush, and yes, dense. Balancing ancient
material on both records, but to break into the international world music/global
traditions with today’s technology, The
pop audience, we wanted songs that spoke an international language, so to speak.
Idan Raichel Project delivers a smoky,
Combining songs from the first two albums would bring worldwide listeners up to
impressionistic mix of bright trebly
speed on Raichel, and get them ready for his next album.”
guitars, wailing vocals, effect-thickened
Cumbancha’s The Idan Raichel Project opens with “Azini (Comfort Me),” where
keyboards and spare, measured percus-
a solitary flute plays a sinuous Eastern melody before the band drops in with a
sion programs to produce a simmering
fusion of R&B and Arabic pop. Anwar Awad, a Palestinian Christian who sings in
global groove.
Arabic and Hebrew, contributed both the lyrics and a powerful lead vocal overflow-
“The next album will be even more
ing with passion. Yihia Tsubara, a 76-year-old traditional Yemenite singer, sings an
international,” Raichel promises. “We’re
ululating duet with his son Shalom Tsuberi on “Im Tachpetza (If Thou Wisheth).”
always recording new stuff as we tour,
The tune is from the Yemenite folk tradition, but it’s given a modern sheen by
working with musicians from all over
Raichel’s keyboards and Avi Singolda’s guitar, which mimics the cascading
the world. I have about 30 tracks, and
arpeggios of an oud.
we’ll see what story they tell. When I was
During the sessions for the second album, Cabra Casey, who met Raichel in the
in New York, I recorded a singer from
Israeli army, sang him the folk song “Nanu Nanu Ney,” which they incorporated
Colombia; in France, musicians from
into “Mi’Ma’amakim (Out Of The Depths).” Wagderass Vese and Raichel trade verses
Cape Verde and Brazil; in India, singers
on the song, with Vese singing the traditional melody in a high, dramatic, almost
from Jaipur. We take a doumbek rhythm
falsetto register, with Raichel countering in his reassuring low tenor. Bongani Xulu,
and try to play it on an Indian tabla. We
a South African singer, met Raichel in Israel after seeing a performance of The
take an Israeli love song and translate
Project; the two collaborated on “Siyaishaya Ingoma,” a traditional Zulu love song.
it into Spanish and Arabic. Bringing
Raichel’s gospel-flavored piano accompanies Xulu’s soulful, subdued vocal, with
different traditions together, you always
Donovan Prefect Reid providing a rap interlude. Sergio Braams, originally from
get something interesting, even if people
Suriname, sings lead on “Brong Faya,” which combines old time calypso, dancehall
don’t understand it. The hardcore world
reggae, trance, and dub impulses. Braams has a beautiful clear tenor and delivers
music audience thinks the music is too
a vocal full of playful humor.
produced. At a rock festival, they say,
Ofer Shriki’s chiming 12-string guitar hook and subtle violin set off Zamnawet
‘What the hell is all this Ethiopian stuff?’
Zoe Gidamo’s vocal on the mellow, reggae-flavored “Ayal-Ayale.” The song is fol-
I know it’s hard to market and hard for
lowed by “Hinach Yafah,” a ballad based on the Song of Songs from the Bible, and
booking agents, but this is what Israel
one where Raichel gets to show off his own vocal chops, his minimalist but silky
really sounds like—many cultures mak-
voice playing off Zena Edchanani’s more theatrical improvisations on the chorus.
ing a new song together.”
!
JUNE_08 GLOBAL RHYTHM 35