Rafael Pacha – A Bunch of Forest Songs (Seacrest Oy, 2023)
Seacrest Oy has taken a bold step to curate a selection of Rafael Pacha’s recordings from 1999-2022 on a superb CD titled “A Bunch of Forest Songs.” After meticulous consideration, 12 songs were chosen, including a previously unreleased track. These songs were carefully reworked and remixed while still maintaining their original essence. Kimmo Pörsti played drums on all the songs, as per Pacha’s request. The album is a collection of delightful and finely-crafted songs that draw inspiration from various European traditions and incorporate a touch of progressive music into their arrangements. The resulting product is a deeply gratifying fusion of musical genres that is accessible to fans of both Progressive Rock and Folk-Rock/Celtic music.
Rafael Pacha, a highly gifted multi-instrumentalist hailing from Spain, has carved a distinguished niche for himself as a notable composer in the progressive rock and progressive folk ensemble The Guildmaster. He has an extensive career as a collaborator with progressive rock artists such as Last Knight, Samurai of Prog, and Inner Prospekt, and has also played a significant role in Kimmo Pörsti‘s solo albums. In 2022, Seacrest Oy released a joint Kimmo Pörsti/Rafael Pacha album titled “Views from the Inner World,” which garnered critical acclaim in progressive rock circles.
Pacha’s musical pedigree is deeply anchored in folk music. He embarked on his solo career in the early 1990s after performing with the groups San Barandán and La Banda del Lago. He has produced over ten albums and a couple of soundtracks in collaboration with Manoel Macía (former Galadriel guitarist). Additionally, he was part of the Circle Project, featuring other Spanish musicians from the progressive scene, releasing the album “Bestiario.”
In addition to Pacha and Pörsti, the album features various guest artists, such as Carlos Aragón on Uilleann pipes; Juan Arriola on violin; Alessandro di Benedetti on keyboards; Marco Bernard on Shuker bass; Juan Miguel López on whistles and pipes; José Manuel Milan on violin; and Rafael Moreno on Irish traverse flute. These artists bring a unique flair to the album, making it a musical mosaic of diverse styles and sounds.
The CD is lavishly presented in a 6-panel digisleeve with a 16-page booklet, adding to the album’s overall visual and aesthetic appeal. The attention to detail in the packaging reflects the care that was taken in crafting the music.
The album’s title, “A Bunch of Forest Songs,” is an apt description of the album’s ambiance, which is both evocative and immersive.