If the words "Idan Raichel Project" do not immediately set off a whirlwind of images in your mind full of culture, art, music, peace and feel good rhythms then you are missing out on the newest cultural art movement on the international pop scene.
Last Thursday night this group performed at Royce Hall at UCLA, as part of the UCLA Live series, and brought audience members to their feet and into a flurry of dance and song. This multi-ethnic musical fusion is the brainchild of music producer, Idan Raichel, evolving from his inspiration and fascination with the expanding population of Ethiopian Jews in Israel.
This recent immigration trend has birthed a new artistic influence in Israel: Ethiopian traditions and roots full of rich art and music. The Project is not only an entertaining work of art. It is also an inter-cultural movement bringing many groups of people with various backgrounds, religions, ethnicities and skin colors together with the universal goal of producing something powerful.
The Project began its birthing stages in the basement of Raichel’s parents’ home where he mixed and matched a diaspora of new rhythms and sounds from contrasting cultures and traditions, caring not so much about the politics of his musical creation as about "doing music with [his] friends" (quote from Raichel). However, what began as a common jam session between friends progressed into what today is the Idan Raichel Project: a culturally unifying movement that exemplifies the direction in which all of us should be moving in today’s global community.
Members of the Project include Sergio Braams from South America, Yihia Tsubara and his son Shalon Tsuberi from Yemen, Bongani Xulu from South Africa, Cabra Casy from Ethiopia, and Arab-Israeli Mira Anwar Awad. From this line-up one can see the irrefutable multi-dimensional cultural influence on this group’s work, as well as Raichel’s strong passion and curiosity for contrasting influences.
The performance Thursday was truly a joy to be a part of. For those of you who have been lucky enough to view a performance at Royce Hall you know how subtly impressive of a structure it is. However, a common complaint among college students has been that it is a "sit-down venue," meaning that audience members do not dance, move, or leave their seats except for the final standing ovations. This was proved entirely wrong at the Raichel Performance when a full hall of enthusiastic fans ignored usher’s instructions and bolted for the stage during multiple numbers.
After we had all stood up in the second number sitting down quickly was canceled out as an option and the new choice became dancing in one’s aisle or directly below the stage. Raichel’s vocalists danced with fans, interacted with them and instigated participation. Everyone, of all ages, origins, and lifestyles, was ecstatic – how could you not be?
With such a powerful feeling of love and peace and connection, it was clear: this is much more than a musical group, this is a revolution both in art and in international politics.
To find out more about the Idan Raichel Project visit www.idanraichelproject.com and if you have already missed a show near you look for a CD. This music has the potential to change much more than our top 10 music billboards and I hope no one misses an opportunity to experience it.
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