Description:
In Israel, where Jews from all over the globe arrive seeking refuge and new lives, a young keyboardist/composer/producer/arranger named Idan Raichel sought out seventy multinational musicians and began recording with them in his basement studio. As he set about mixing Ethiopian and other African Jewish traditions with home-grown Hebraic, Yemenite, and Arab styles, Old Testament Psalms, and even Caribbean vocals and rhythms, he initially had little hope of ever seeing the sessions released commercially. But he ended up with not one but two precedent-setting, huge-selling albums, from which the present CD was deftly cherry-picke
In Israel, where Jews from all over the globe arrive seeking refuge and new lives, a young keyboardist/composer/producer/arranger named Idan Raichel sought out seventy multinational musicians and began recording with them in his basement studio. As he set about mixing Ethiopian and other African Jewish traditions with home-grown Hebraic, Yemenite, and Arab styles, Old Testament Psalms, and even Caribbean vocals and rhythms, he initially had little hope of ever seeing the sessions released commercially. But he ended up with not one but two precedent-setting, huge-selling albums, from which the present CD was deftly cherry-picked. Opening with a majestic, multi-voiced Ethiopian chant, the 12 selections here make ample use of ethnic-based traditions and instruments. But although the songs share an edifying spiritual depth, they are nonetheless modern pop in the best sense, accessible and chock-full of catchy melodies. For example, on "Be'Yom Shabbat" (On Sabbath), the vocals--one wavering and prayerfully soulful and the other more straight-ahead--are couched in a cutting-edge reggae context, complete with sampled voices and electronic flourishes. Despite his commitment to eclectic sources and unusual juxtapositions, Raichel obviously has a happy way with a hook and no scruples whatsoever about having fun with it. --Christina Roden
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Manufacturer: Cumbancha
Release date: 7 November 2006
EAN: 0890846001022 UPC: 890846001022
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