Rafael Toral - Sound Mind Sound Body (30Th Anniversary Edition) - Import Vinyl 2 LP Record

Credits:

Rafael Toral

Description:

This Portuguese guitarist exploring sustained drones had his work produced by Thurston Moore and Jim O'Rourke in the '90s. This CD is a recording of his ambient guitar work. Were it not produced in Portugal in the '90s, this would have been fitting in the '70s on the E.G label. The first piece, "AER 4," recalls Robert Fripp and Eno, and uses a similar tape-looping technique pioneered by that duo. Later, Toral would record a My Bloody Valentine tribute on the album Wave Field, and as a precursor to that work, this album too shows a debt to Kevin Shields' fuzz and feedback wash. More Spartan moments are playful and improvisational, but the majority of this CD is made with the removed precision of scientist, mixing tones in cautious measures to build a sleepy drone field. An interesting document for fans interested to see how this obscure abstractionist came to make such blissful tone clouds on Wave Field and Aeriola Frequency, not to mention guest guitarist on Sonic Youth's NYC Ghosts and Flowers. ~ Sylvie Harrison

Tracklisting:

1.A E R 4
2.Loopability I
3.A E R 7 E
4.Soft Energy I