The Idan Raichel Project makes history in Ghana with Israeli popular music

Last Thursday November 22, 2012, history was made at the National Theatre in Accra, Ghana when Israeli musician Idan Raichel came into the country for the first time and introduced Israeli popular music that has made him his country’s most outstanding musician.

It was the first anniversary of the re-opening of the Israeli Embassy in Ghana. The Embassy was closed for 38 years.

The Israelis decided to return to Ghana last year and the Ambassador Sharon Bar-li said when they re-opened they worked from a hotel room.

The musical concert also featured Ghanaian reggae maestro Rocky Dawuni who has worked with Raichel on a number of projects. The Theatre was filled to capacity – there were Israelis in Ghana and Ghanaians as well. The diplomatic community was also there.

For most of the invited guests at the concert, it was the first time they were listening to live music by an Israeli band, and it was an outstanding one.

The band sang in Hebrew, Amharic and Spanish. Information on the group’s website says, they also play music in English.

The instrumentation was of the highest standard and the vocals was splendid and soothing bringing the entire audience to its feet when the band played each number.

The good quality of sound and lighting at the Theatre also added ambiance to the evening.

The most beautiful song that members of the audience will remember for a long time, it appears is ‘Mimaamakim’.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi