Ryan Ritchie and Tamil Rogeon of Raah.By Kath Gannaway
RYAN Ritchie, Tamil Rogeon and Tim Blake of True Live and the Little Yarra music department caught the ear of BBC1 international DJ taste-maker Jilles Peterson last year with the record “score” by the Raah ensemble.
On Saturday, 2 May, Raah will be in Warburton. The ensemble will utilise 15 of Melbourne’s finest string, brass, woodwind and jazz band musicians to perform a unique show with projections and cutting edge styles in Warburton.
The ensemble takes new shots at the established ideas of electronica, hip-hop, pop, contemporary, dance and soul music. It is an original contemporary music project embracing both traditional and new principles of jazz improvisation, arrangement, 20th century composition, song, verse and flow.
“Score” was created with a 17-piece string section, a full big band (the Australian Show Band) and a selection of jazz/funk players from Melbourne’s vibrant music scenes.
The 13 tracks combine big band vocals and orchestration, soaring cinematic string arrangements, hip hop beats, soul motifs and simple pop melodies with surprising and absorbing results.
Having just signed an international deal with Italian record company Ishtar The Raah project will present a one-off concert at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre on Saturday at 8pm. To book phone the Upper Yarra Arts Centre on 5966 5040. Bookings preferred but tickets also available at the door.
