EL AL | Atmosphere

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manage several projects at a time, it’s actually what makes it easier for me to create”, he says with a smile. “Without it I feel trapped. It’s essential to create out of a sense of passion. Collaborating with other artists, such as India.Arie in the US or Vieux Farka Touré in Mali, with whom I produced two albums under the name “The Touré-Raichel Collective”, is precisely what allows me to feel inspired to continue working with my band. To me, being a husband and a father - (Raichel has four children with his wife Damaris: Philippa Helena (8), Salomé (6), and twins Camillo and Emilio (1,5), M.C.) - is the biggest challenge of them all ”, Raichel adds. Building cultural bridges between communities You’ve performed in front of Barack

“Though it may seem difficult to manage several projects at a time, it’s actually what makes it easier for me to create. It’s essential to create out of a sense of passion"

Obama and shared the stage with Alicia Keys. Is there another major artist or personality you dream of performing with or for? “It’s true. I have performed in front of some of the world’s highest-ranking individuals. But the highlight of those experiences was getting to see the behind the scenes - seeing Barack Obama take a selfie for his daughter, witnessing Alicia Keys’ humility, treating me like her musical equal despite her megastar status, was special. Raichel is considered a world music pioneer in Israel, and his artistic

involvement with the Israeli Ethiopian community has built bridges between cultures and communities. In response to my question about whether he feels it’s his mission to do so, he says: “I love seeing artists from diverse backgrounds express who they are through music. 20 years ago, Israeli pop and rock music was mostly influenced by American pop, and songs in Amharic weren’t played on the radio. That has all changed, and I feel like my work has contributed to bring Israel to the world and the world to Israel”.

Photos by Omer Keidar

26 ATMOSPHERE SEPTEMBER 2022