Rafael Pacha - A Bunch Of Forest Songs: Selected & Revisited Recordings Between 1999–2022 (2023) CD-Rip

Having enjoyed such fruitful collaboration with the Spanish musician Rafael Pacha (both in The Guildmaster project and albums under Kimmo's own PA artist page, plus within The Samurai Of Prog), Kimmo Pörsti insisted they should make a CD consisting of revisited material from Pacha's solo output. As Rafael says in his liner notes, there have been two major paths he has followed and combined as a musician, those of Folk (e.g. the Celtic tradition) and of progressive rock. The source albums are mentioned - without their release years though - but the liner notes concern his thoughts of the individual tracks and their recordings then and now, with a fondness for various occasional collaborations. You really can feel the labour of love attitude of this gifted multi- instrumental musician and composer.

The general atmosphere of this 13 -track set is fairly peaceful and organic, with a modernly clean production similar to above mentioned projects. There ate lots of folk ingredients, especially whistles, recorders and pipes are heard a lot. As a guitarist Pacha uses both acoustic and electric ones. Stylistic references might include Alan Stivell, Malicorne, early Clannad, the most folk oriented stuff of Mike Oldfield, etc. Warmly recommended, beautiful CD package for any folk-enjoying listener.

Rafael Pacha (b. 1961 in Cordoba, Spain) is a composer and multi-instrumentalist, playing a wide selection instruments (electric and acoustic guitars, bass, keyboards, flutes, recorder, bouzouki, mandolin, bodhr�n, electric violin, etc). His instrumental music has some resemblance to the likes of MIKE OLDFIELD and JADE WARRIOR, with a strong folk/ethnic orientation. Contemporary Breton artists such as DAN AR BRAZ or ALAN STIVELL serve as references.