Who is Idan Raichel?:
Idan Raichel was born in Israel in 1977. He began lessons on the accordion at age nine, and began studying jazz keyboards in his teens. When he was conscripted into the Israeli army at age 18 (as is compulsory for all Israeli citizens), he avoided battle and conflict by joining the Army rock band, who toured Army bases. Eventually, he became the leader of this group.
... and What is his Project?:
After leaving the Army, Idan Raichel continued to play music, primarily as a backing keyboard player for Israeli pop stars. In 2002, he tapped into his extensive musical connections and began recording a set of tracks that would later come to be dubbed "the Idan Raichel Project." On the first go-round, over 70 musicians from multiple genres joined in the fun.
Israeli and International Success:
When Israeli label Helicon Records released the original Idan Raichel Project album, it quickly gained popularity throughout Israel, selling over 150,000 copies and firmly establishing Raichel as a force to be reckoned with. In 2006, the American record label Cumbancha Records released the IRP's first international record, a self-titled CD. It made waves throughout the States and the world, and Raichel became a verifiable world music star.
What Does the Idan Raichel Project Sound Like?:
Raichel works with two main influences: Israeli pop (which sounds a lot like Western pop, but slightly Middle Eastern-ier) and Ethiopian music, which he began to explore while working as a camp counselor at a children's camp whose population was largely made up of Ethiopian Jews. On top of the Israeli and Ethiopian layers, though, Raichel allows his fellow artists to add their own cultural flavor, be it Arabic, Subsaharan African, or South American. This results in well-anchored but broadly influenced compositions. Also anchoring the Project are the universal messages of peace and love, sung in many languages.
Idan Raichel Project Live:
Because it's not really possible to put on a live show with the dozens upon dozens of musicians who are (or have been) a part of the Idan Raichel Project, the live show is quite different than the recorded works. Raichel pulls together various instrumentalists and singers and does performances in an "in the round" style, with the featured artists taking turns and weaving together a polished, multicultural performance.
Who Has Taken Part in the Idan Raichel Project?:
Among the musicians who have been featured members of the IRP are Ethiopian singer Kabra Kasai; Mira Anwar Awad, an Israeli singer of Arabic descent; Colombian singer Marta Gomez; Cape Verdean singer Mayra Andrade, and many others.
Idan Raichel Project Discography:
2002 - Idan Raichel's Project (Israeli Release Only)
2005 - Mi'ma'amakim (Israeli Release Only)
2006 - The Idan Raichel Project (Compare Prices)
2009 - Within My Walls (Compare Prices)
