This remarkably gifted multi-instrumentalist from Spain is held in high regard within the community , of not only mastering modern instruments but also incorporating medieval vintage ones (viola de gamba, zither, Portuguese guitar…), within an endlessly exploratory discography that spans many different stylistics (the Guildmaster, The Samurai of Prog, solo, etc..). As the title implies, the added spice presented here is a fusion slant in order to create some lovely sounding con-fusion! ‘The friends ‘ are musical companions that are well-known, the mercurial Roman keyboardist (and personal fave) Alessandro di Benedetti of Inner Prospekt and Mad Crayon fame, famed US bassist Michael Manring and a Finnish delegation led by guitarist Toni Jokinen, drum master Kimmo Pörsti , vocalist Paula Pörsti, sax man Risto Salmi, bass player Jan-Olof Strandberg and British vocalist John Wilkinson. Rafael’s previous album, the bucolic “A Bunch of Forest Songs” was another perfect example of combining folk music from the Middle Ages with progressive rock. Here the motion weaves into a jazzier realm.
The jazz connection comes across immediately on the opener “Contradiction“, and within seconds, the aromatic piano musings from Alessandro, the deft Kimmo drum patterns and warm Pacha electric guitars, are all being led by Manring’s Zon hyper bass delivery, a truly masterful performance. The track comes across as a ‘struggle between ideals and resilience’ and gets vaulted into playful exuberance with a distorted scorching guitar flurry from Toni. ”El Diablo Cuando Se Aburre” is a keyboard fest as both Ale and Rafael exchange ivory weavings, like a silky sonic carpet , tightly spiked with an accurate bass solo from Jan-Olof and Kimmo tapping temptingly. Rafael gets to spruce up the smooth silk with intriguing delicacy. In our increasingly ominous world, a sweet track like “Joy” really hits hard, a gentle panacea of goodness and cheer, with another generous Strandberg caress that catches one’s immediate attention. Three tracks in and my bass fetish needs have already been fulfilled! Only five letters count in life : H.a.p.p.y.
Like Antoine de St-Exupéry soaring over the desert, searching for the little prince, Rafael pilots us into a colossal epic adventure that will span 18+ minutes of flight time. “Plowman of the Sky” has both male (Ale) and female (Paula) vocal interchanges, a sultry sax unafraid to alter course and at times, even wing it, looking for the proverbial landing spot. Paula conveys the child-like amazement of looking up into the starry universe in a blackened sky, while Rafael handles the electric, acoustic and Portuguese guitars with shimmering detail, tossing in zither and recorder for good measure. The sense of unrushed patience and detailed performance is stunning, the restraint especially obvious when the mid-section decides to take-off into an extended blazing turbo-charged run on the lead guitar, the co-piloting held by Risto’s blaring sax and some choppy rhythmic convulsions. When the acoustic guitar and grand piano combine like two lovers, its just crushingly melodic, with deeply reflective chords that exude a sense of comfortable solitude. Both get to shine in their respective spotlights. Separate or together, majesty at the service of beauty. Magnificent.
The experimental “When in Doubt” comes as a complex diversion from the previous grandeur, the instrumentalists opting for more oblique patterns, whilst maintaining melodic jazzy lineage. Solos from both Jokinen and Salmi spice up the fury. The lofty “Top of the Hill” has a playful insouciance that rekindles images of youthful exuberance, a time when fun and laughter were of massive importance in one’s budding life, eventually replaced by the rigors of adulthood, and its many complications , which will be addressed on “Silence Is a Sticker”. When we learn the art of criticism as a tool for manipulation, the bitterness of continuous conflict arises. This melodic track drips with a sense of regret, remorse, guilt, call it what you will! It’s also the most mature piece on the album, in that it has an underlying structure that stays solidly ensconced , much like Kimmo’s discreet rhythmic tempo throughout. Another Strandberg rip leads to a Jokinen rant on the painful guitar solo.
With the amazing John Wilkinson clutching the microphone on the more classic prog-rock “Wonder If I’ll Be”, liberally sprinkled with a massive Pacha assortment: recorders, bodhran, viola da gamba, violin, keyboards and all kinds of guitars. One cannot fail to feel the comfortability of a legendary vocal tone, and it certainly offers a hugely retro-feel that takes one back to the Epping Forest and the Fountain of Salmacis. Instrumentally, the display is of top-notch quality.
We finish (bad pun) off with a bonus alternate version of “Joy”, a Pacha/ Pörsti duet, succinctly compressing into one singular word the overall feeling I had listening to this delectable work.
4.5 bewildered buddies