Reflecting a blend of some of the diverse world styles that comprise Israel's colorful musical landscape, Idan Raichel's songs are as catchy and accessible as they are thoughtful and richly multicultural. With a particular affection for Ethiopian folk music, he incorporates not only varied regional influences into his pop music but multiple languages. His ambitious first album, The Idan Raichel Project, saw release in 2002, with a worldwide debut of the same title following in 2006. Raichel's first album without the Project, 2016's The Edge of the Beginning, was a much sparer, more intimate outing. Both incarnations have reached the Top Ten of the Billboard World Albums chart. ~ Marcy Donelson