The Idan Raichel Project [Cumbancha]

by Idan Raichel, The Idan Raichel Project

Overview

The Idan Raichel Project already have a pair of albums available in Israel, but this is their worldwide debut. Here, there's something of a compilation from the two previous albums. An interesting collective of musicians (up to 70) is represented on the album, taken in surprising proportions from the Ethiopian Jew population based on the airlifts to Israel (Operation Moses, Operation Solomon, etc.) over the years. Other musicians hail from other Israeli populations, nearby nations, and a couple of South Africans for good measure. With this in mind, Raichel himself puts together pieces drawn from traditional works in the lands of origin for these artists. Songs are written in Hebrew and Ethiopian primarily, but also Arabic and Zulu. The pieces run the course from laid-back dancehall ("Brong Faya," with vocals from Surinam's Sergio Braams) to ultra-smooth exotica on "Azini" (with vocals from Arab-Israeli Mira Anwar Awad) to a sort of solo acoustic isicathamiya (with vocals from Bongani Xulu). This is apart from the Hebrew and Ethiopian love songs and more. The album is almost overly eclectic, but the departure from the usual Israeli pop is refreshing. There's plenty to come still from this project, and the results thus far are certainly worth hearing for listeners within the world music scene and likewise those on the outside. ~ Adam Greenberg

Product Details

Release Date:	11/07/2006
Label:	CUMBANCHA
UPC:	0890846001022

Tracks

1. Bo'ee (Come with Me)
2. Mi'Ma'amakim (Out of the Depths)
3. Ayal-Ayale (The Handsome Hero)
4. Hinach Yafah (Thou Art Beautiful)
5. Im Tachpetza (If Thou Wisheth)
6. Shuvi el Beyti (Come Back to My Home)
7. Im Telech (If You Go)
8. Be'Yom Shabbat (On Sabbath)
9. Brong Faya (Burn Fire)
10. Ulai Ha'Pa'am (Maybe This Time)
11. Azini (Comfort Me)
12. Siyaishaya Ingoma (Sing Out for Love)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Idan Raichel Project   Primary Artist
Idan Raichel   Primary Artist,Bass,Vocals,Accordion,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Ilan Damti   Vocals
Tevet Sela   Flute,Saxophone
Eyal Sela   Flute
Itamar Doari   Percussion
Amos Fridman   Bass
Donovan Prefect Reid   Vocals
Din Din Aviv   Vocals
Cabra Casay   Vocals (Background)
Elai Botner   Guitar
Mira Anwar Awad   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Zena Edchanani   Vocals
Sergio Braams   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Traditional   Composer
Emily Lazar   Mastering
Idan Raichel   Text,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Programming,Instrumentation,Artistic Director
Rabbi Shalom Shabazi   Composer
Sarah Register   Mastering
Elai Botner   Arranger,Producer
Zehavit Legali   Production Coordination
Jacob Edgar   Introduction
Yair Goren   Mixing
Mira Anwar Awad   Composer
Sergio Braams   Composer