DRAG CITY
Rafael Toral - Sound Mind Sound Body (2025 Reissue) Rafael Toral
£14.99
/
Tax included.
In 1987, Rafael Toral began making his own compositions and solo recordings using
electric guitar in an enhanced signal path. In the time since then, he has developed
his conceptions, first as a guitar improviser, then in what he called his ‘Space
Program’, utilizing self-made electronic modules. 2024’s ‘Spectral Evolution’ was a
much-acclaimed return to guitar voicings and improvisations, edified by his further
explorations in electronic sound.
In the wake of his extraordinary new music comes a new set of CD masters for
Rafael’s first two albums, ‘Sound Mind Sound Body’ and ‘Wave Field’. Nearly 40
years later, these recordings sound remarkably prescient and perfectly timeless -
fresher today than when they were first released.
‘Sound Mind Sound Body’ was inspired in part by the working principles of Fripp &
Eno, extrapolated by Rafael via a unique signal path leading out of his guitar. He paid
notice to the massive impact of discreet gestures, creating slow-moving tones and
spacious orchestral resonances, drifting and droning with glacial majesty, hardly
recognizable as guitar much of the time. The first pieces were recorded in 1987; in
1994, a collection was released on Portugal’s AnAnAnA, producing an hour’s worth
of remarkable sonic equilibrium in this mode. With each subsequent reissue,
however, aspects of this sound have been subtly revisited. For the 1998 Moikai CD,
‘AE 1’, one of the earliest pieces conceived, was newly recorded; for the 2018 Drag
City LP master, ‘Textura e Linhas Curvas’ was included, ‘AER 7 E’ was re-recorded
and the material for ‘AE 2’ was recorded for the first time ever. These performances
were executed using the same processes as the original ones. For the current CD,
‘Loopability II’ has been recalled from the AnAnAnA master, ‘Textura e Linhas
Curvas’ omitted and yet another brand-new version of ‘AER 7E’ inserted in place of
the 2018 version. Incredibly, all of these changes augment ‘Sound Mind Sound
Body’’s expansive intent without altering its essential otherworldly atmosphere.
Pickup available at Glasgow
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Please note that we are a physical record shop so some items may be unsealed but they are unplayed and brand new. If you would really like a sealed copy, please get in touch with us in advance of your purchase.
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