Idan Raichel does the composing for this wide ranging album of material that brings Middle Eastern moods from villages and the city. He sings along with Machico Koizuka, Zehava Ben, Danay Suarez, Berry Sakharof, Bombino and Yahalom David with a rotating team of musicians include “Omara “Bombino” Moctar, Itay Nizen/dr, Lior Ozeri/b, Mark Kakron/g, Uriel Weinberger/saxand Raichel himself playing a plethora of instruments.
The songs themselves include upbeat pop material with an Israeli dash as on “Galgal Mistovev,” with gentle folk moods and chants on “Ahava Ka’zo.” Synthesized percussion gives an R&B feel to “Ve’Eem tavo’ee Elay” and the rocking “Imidiwanine” while Raichel can take you on a journey to both India (as on “Beresheet” or Ethiopia (during the rocking “Ketero”). Rich pulses and accessible grooves make this a pleasing outing that is both traditional and modern.