Cross-cultural Harmony

Aren't duets great? When two different artists get together to create new sounds, it can be a revelation.

Ever since Julio Iglesias teamed up with Willie Nelson to record a rendition of Bobby Vinton's To All The Girls I've Loved Before, I have come to appreciate the potency of a well-conceived collaboration.

I apologize if the sarcasm volume was up a little too on with that one, but that ill-advised musical aberration aside, I still maintain that separate tastes can often come together with agreeable results.

On a global scale, musicians like Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel have explored far beyond their musical comfort zones for years. On the now classic Graceland album, Paul Simon solicited the spirited musicianship of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Peter Gabriel has spent the last 2 decades exploring his musical horizons with the likes of Youssou'N Dour, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Papa Wemba and more. Sting sang Desert Rose with Cheb Mami, claiming that sentiments were understood despite the language barrier.

These socio-linguistic combinations usually result in more complex, and consequently less commercial projects, but infinitely more interesting than hearing Justin Beiber sing about a perky 15 year-old he made eye-contact with at the mall (not that we all don't appreciate those lofty tales of profound affection).

My musical library is culturally varied (as is my family background), and my brother has a penchant for, and actually seeks out peculiar cross-cultural concoctions, so I have heard many strange and sensational pairings from the four corners of the world.

Every now and then, something awesome this way comes, and I am compelled to explore.

I recently heard a great story about a beloved American artist that piqued my interest.

India Arie is an award-winning and humbly introspective musician who consistently places more importance on substance than sales. She is renowned among critics and fans alike for her tireless pursuit of originality and truth.

A couple of years ago, while vacationing in Israel, India spent a few scarce hours basking in the rich historical surroundings. Inevitably, she gravitated toward artistic establishments and probed local music enthusiasts about their most influential home-grown musicians.

The response was repeatedly, and almost unanimously, "Idan Raichel".

One of the holy land's most interesting musical groups, The Idan Raichel Project has emerged over the last few years with their atypical fusion of classic African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin sounds, juxtaposed with modern electronic production.

I first discovered him in 2005 when a copy of his new CD enitled Mi'ma'amakim (Hebrew for "From the Depths") landed on the desk of our publication's music editor. It caught my eye as it was being cast aside, and when I asked if I could have it, I was met with a look that suggested I was, in some way unclean, and malodorous. Never the less, it was bestowed upon me.

I don't know what I was expecting, but I couldn't have guessed it. The CD was comprised of sound combinations that can best be described as "unconventional", but it had the most necessary ingredient in music: Soul.

Now here's the part of the story I like. Arie simply found out where Raichel lived, went to his apartment, knocked on his door, and introduced herself. She claims she heard his music and understood him right away.

This cosmic introduction led to a blessed musical union. Now, over 2 years since their meeting, after collaborating on over 14 songs, Arie claims she has found her musical soul-mate.

The fruit of this merging of kindred musical spirits is a new album entitled, Open Door.

Arie and Raichel have said that their goal was "...to create a collection of cross-genre songs that are poignantly relevant to a global audience."

Apparently, the album features songs in both Hebrew and English. The lyrics speak of acceptance, unity, and struggling to forge cultural divides.

Arie and Raichel performed publicly together for the first time last summer, then subsequently at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in December '10.
Open Door, which has been complete for some time now, was projected for release this month, but has since been pushed to October of 2011.
Critics are roaring, and fans of both artists are delirious in anticipation of this musical milestone.

Here in Canada, most of us are familiar with Arie, but it should be noted that Idan Raichel performed at the CNE's Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto in 2009 to a virtually sold-out crowd.

Raichel came to us courtesy of Ravid Dahan of Motek Productions, whose mission is similarly to bridge the cultural divide by showcasing the artistic disposition of a country that is sometimes viewed, by the unenlightened, in a less than complimentary fashion.

I thank her, and all of those who reach their hands across the oceans to unite us all through music, and provide us with an "Open Door" toward world peace.

Look for pre-released Open Door tracks on YouTube.

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