The Idan Raichel Project
Quarter To Six
Kfar Saba, Israel
(Cumbancha)
“United colors of dance-a-thon”
The seventh album from this rhythmic alliance wraps the core of Eastern energy and Red Sea revelry with a bow of Western sensibilities and a power-pop state of mind.
Quarter To Six truly is world music, featuring musicians from a cornucopia of nationalities across the Middle East, Europe and Asia with Raichel singing in myriad of languages.
As the Project’s sound pulls heavily from traditional Arabic and bubbling Indian styles, it tactfully incorporates elements of Western pop in the form of soft piano/guitar ballads like “This Wind” and Latino-fusion tracks like “Closer Now” and “Behind My Soul.”
Atop a melodic melee and rhythmic powerhouse, the album’s lyrical content ambles in multiple languages, but is united through a thread of compassion and spirituality, with Raichel’s croons sounding both endearing and vulnerable.
If music is indeed the international language, then Raichel is on track to becoming one of the world’s top linguists.