Rafael Toral - Spectral Evolution (2024)
Rafael Toral - Spectral Evolution (2024)
EAC Rip | FLAC (tracks+log+.cue) - 208 Mb | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 133 Mb | Covers included | 00:47:30
Experimental Electronic, Jazz, Ambient, Free Improvisation | Label: Moikai
EAC Rip | FLAC (tracks+log+.cue) - 208 Mb | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 133 Mb | Covers included | 00:47:30
Experimental Electronic, Jazz, Ambient, Free Improvisation | Label: Moikai
The first release on Jim O'Rourke's legendary Moikai imprint in over two decades, 'Spectral Evolution' is a defining statement from Portuguese vanguard Rafael Toral, an album of subtly orchestral, jazz-inspired guitar music that's been slowed to a vertiginous crawl. Using his arsenal of hand-made synths to sing like birds around stretched, steel-wound drones, he evokes Bach, Loren Connors, Gavin Bryars and Rhys Chatham on a longform piece full of conventional chord progressions and alchemical sleights of hand that will have you reeling, and no mistake.Tracklist:
Toral's been through a number of discrete phases since he emerged in the early '90s with 'Sound Mind Sound Body' and 'Wave Field', injecting rock's vigour and emotionality into often cold, academic electronic music. Since then he's described his musical outlook as "post-free jazz", and spent time developing his ‘Space Program’, an ensemble of self-built electronic instruments that helped him evolve his understanding of place and silence. Toral drew a line under that project in 2017 after 13 years of experimentation, and has been working to reconcile his past and present, bringing back the guitar and re-examining the glacial, elongated tonal work he investigated early in his career. 'Spectral Evolution' is his most complete and advanced recording in years, billed as his "quintessential album of guitar music" but inhabiting a unique spot in his catalog.
Unashamedly romantic, Spectral Evolution pulls its momentous chordal shifts from jazz, using standards like George Gershwin's 'I Got Rhythm' and Duke Ellington's 'Take the "A" Train' (plus what sounds to us quite a lot like Bach) to dictate the course of his vacillating compositions. If that's hard to imagine, it only gets more knotty from there, as Toral interrupts the calm of his tidal drones with chirping oscillator squeaks and squeals that he's painstakingly tuned to harmonise with the strings. Bruising the sublime, Toral reminds us that music is an endless conversation with the past, both our own personal history, and a shared cultural memory that's not always easy to decipher.
After a brief, naked intro, Toral sinks into 'Changes', an outstretched composition that sounds like multiple threads being tied together in real-time. At the root is a sequence of dramatic chord shifts made from bowed guitar drones that have been shaped to sound like orchestral flourishes. We can't help but think of Gavin Bryars' enduringly influential 'Sinking of the Titanic' here, but the chorus of whoops and wails from Toral's arsenal shuttle it into an idiosyncratic outerzone, sounding electronic and acoustic at once, like bamboo flutes, amphibian mating calls and robotic birds responding to each chord. Each track dissolves into the next, and while Toral makes distinctive gestures, the album plays like a continuous thought.
He interprets 'Take the "A" Train' more literally on 'Take the Train', letting the guitar chords linger and using the Space ensemble to re-imagine the trad standard's unmistakable lead. Peculiarly tuned, it's not obvious at first, but squint a little and you can just about make out Toral coaxing us into re-evaluating how we listen to jazz. If innovators like Ornette Coleman and Albert Ayler were able to develop a new language using familiar syntax, then Toral follows a traditional vernacular, nodding to folk forms as well as avant developments and environmental musics in a mode that’s both soothing and unexpected.
On ‘First Long Space' Toral takes a moment to deconstruct his soundscape, the guitar drawing discernible, post-rock outlines, leaving us with near silence for a few seconds before another episode begins. These spaces (two long and two short) are important markers that break up each episode, palate cleansers that prepare us for further chordal complexity. While 'Fifths Twice' is gooey and sentimental, 'Your Goodbye', is led by distorted, filtered guitar syllables, sounding like Toral's attempt at half-speed blues, played alongside sticky orchestral sweeps. Before the set's over completely, he can't resist taking us to church, mutating his noises into celestial organ blasts on 'Second Short Space'.
‘Spectral Evolution' is the kind of album that practically urges you to go in again and again to tunnel through its layers and excavate its myriad references and philosophies. It's Toral's most exceptional, essential album to date - the kind of masterpiece worthy of re-booting Moikai to life, the same label that brought us all-timers like Nuno Canavarro's 'Plux Quba', Pita's 'Get Out' and Fennesz's 'Plays'.
An early marker for AOTY, no doubt.
01 - Intro
02 - Changes
03 - Descending
04 - First Short Space
05 - Take the Train
06 - First Long Space
07 - Fifths Twice
08 - Second Long Space
09 - Your Goodbye
10 - Second Short Space
11 - Ascending
12 - Changes Reprise
Exact Audio Copy V1.6 from 23. October 2020
EAC extraction logfile from 24. February 2024, 22:47
Spectral Evolution / Rafael Toral
Used drive : ATAPI DVD A DH16AASH Adapter: 1 ID: 0
Read mode : Secure
Utilize accurate stream : Yes
Defeat audio cache : Yes
Make use of C2 pointers : No
Read offset correction : 6
Overread into Lead-In and Lead-Out : No
Fill up missing offset samples with silence : Yes
Delete leading and trailing silent blocks : No
Null samples used in CRC calculations : Yes
Used interface : Native Win32 interface for Win NT & 2000
Gap handling : Appended to previous track
Used output format : User Defined Encoder
Selected bitrate : 1024 kBit/s
Quality : High
Add ID3 tag : No
Command line compressor : C:\Program Files (x86)\Exact Audio Copy\Flac\flac.exe
Additional command line options : -8 -e -V -T "ARTIST=%artist%" -T "TITLE=%title%" -T "ALBUM=%albumtitle%" -T "DATE=%year%" -T "TRACKNUMBER=%tracknr%" -T "GENRE=%genre%" -T "PERFORMER=%albuminterpret%" -T "COMPOSER=%composer%" %haslyrics%–tag-from-file=LYRICS="%lyricsfile%"%haslyrics% -T "ALBUMARTIST=%albumartist%" -T "DISCNUMBER=%cdnumber%" -T "TOTALDISCS=%totalcds%" -T "TOTALTRACKS=%numtracks%" -T "COMMENT=%comment%" %source% -o %dest%
TOC of the extracted CD
Track | Start | Length | Start sector | End sector
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-
1 | 0:00.00 | 1:30.29 | 0 | 6778
2 | 1:30.29 | 8:18.05 | 6779 | 44133
3 | 9:48.34 | 2:47.37 | 44134 | 56695
4 | 12:35.71 | 2:02.68 | 56696 | 65913
5 | 14:38.64 | 4:23.73 | 65914 | 85711
6 | 19:02.62 | 6:33.59 | 85712 | 115245
7 | 25:36.46 | 5:23.14 | 115246 | 139484
8 | 30:59.60 | 5:19.63 | 139485 | 163472
9 | 36:19.48 | 3:30.13 | 163473 | 179235
10 | 39:49.61 | 2:30.51 | 179236 | 190536
11 | 42:20.37 | 0:55.05 | 190537 | 194666
12 | 43:15.42 | 4:14.33 | 194667 | 213749
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Track 2
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\02 - Changes.wav
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Extraction speed 2.1 X
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Track 3
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\03 - Descending.wav
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Track 4
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\04 - First Short Space.wav
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Track 5
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\05 - Take the Train.wav
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Track 6
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\06 - First Long Space.wav
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Track 7
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\07 - Fifths Twice.wav
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Track 8
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\08 - Second Long Space.wav
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Track 9
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\09 - Your Goodbye.wav
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Track 10
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\10 - Second Short Space.wav
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Track 11
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\11 - Ascending.wav
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Track 12
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\12 - Changes Reprise.wav
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Extraction speed 3.3 X
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None of the tracks are present in the AccurateRip database
No errors occurred
End of status report
–– CUETools DB Plugin V2.1.6
[CTDB TOCID: KHXR8WkUgPgTuhoW7t1An9aH_Vk-] found
Submit result: KHXR8WkUgPgTuhoW7t1An9aH_Vk- has been confirmed
Track | CTDB Status
1 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
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3 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
4 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
5 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
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8 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
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10 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
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==== Log checksum AD46B5B4B1E9061C348B2FB975FB694D5168FC5818964E6D737608AA53B5D635 ====
EAC extraction logfile from 24. February 2024, 22:47
Spectral Evolution / Rafael Toral
Used drive : ATAPI DVD A DH16AASH Adapter: 1 ID: 0
Read mode : Secure
Utilize accurate stream : Yes
Defeat audio cache : Yes
Make use of C2 pointers : No
Read offset correction : 6
Overread into Lead-In and Lead-Out : No
Fill up missing offset samples with silence : Yes
Delete leading and trailing silent blocks : No
Null samples used in CRC calculations : Yes
Used interface : Native Win32 interface for Win NT & 2000
Gap handling : Appended to previous track
Used output format : User Defined Encoder
Selected bitrate : 1024 kBit/s
Quality : High
Add ID3 tag : No
Command line compressor : C:\Program Files (x86)\Exact Audio Copy\Flac\flac.exe
Additional command line options : -8 -e -V -T "ARTIST=%artist%" -T "TITLE=%title%" -T "ALBUM=%albumtitle%" -T "DATE=%year%" -T "TRACKNUMBER=%tracknr%" -T "GENRE=%genre%" -T "PERFORMER=%albuminterpret%" -T "COMPOSER=%composer%" %haslyrics%–tag-from-file=LYRICS="%lyricsfile%"%haslyrics% -T "ALBUMARTIST=%albumartist%" -T "DISCNUMBER=%cdnumber%" -T "TOTALDISCS=%totalcds%" -T "TOTALTRACKS=%numtracks%" -T "COMMENT=%comment%" %source% -o %dest%
TOC of the extracted CD
Track | Start | Length | Start sector | End sector
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-
1 | 0:00.00 | 1:30.29 | 0 | 6778
2 | 1:30.29 | 8:18.05 | 6779 | 44133
3 | 9:48.34 | 2:47.37 | 44134 | 56695
4 | 12:35.71 | 2:02.68 | 56696 | 65913
5 | 14:38.64 | 4:23.73 | 65914 | 85711
6 | 19:02.62 | 6:33.59 | 85712 | 115245
7 | 25:36.46 | 5:23.14 | 115246 | 139484
8 | 30:59.60 | 5:19.63 | 139485 | 163472
9 | 36:19.48 | 3:30.13 | 163473 | 179235
10 | 39:49.61 | 2:30.51 | 179236 | 190536
11 | 42:20.37 | 0:55.05 | 190537 | 194666
12 | 43:15.42 | 4:14.33 | 194667 | 213749
Track 1
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\01 - Intro.wav
Pre-gap length 0:00:02.00
Peak level 70.9 %
Extraction speed 1.4 X
Track quality 100.0 %
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Track not present in AccurateRip database
Copy OK
Track 2
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\02 - Changes.wav
Peak level 97.6 %
Extraction speed 2.1 X
Track quality 100.0 %
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Track not present in AccurateRip database
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Track 3
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\03 - Descending.wav
Peak level 96.9 %
Extraction speed 2.1 X
Track quality 100.0 %
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Track not present in AccurateRip database
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Track 4
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\04 - First Short Space.wav
Peak level 94.8 %
Extraction speed 2.0 X
Track quality 100.0 %
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Track 5
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\05 - Take the Train.wav
Peak level 97.6 %
Extraction speed 2.4 X
Track quality 100.0 %
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Track 6
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\06 - First Long Space.wav
Peak level 79.7 %
Extraction speed 2.8 X
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Track 7
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\07 - Fifths Twice.wav
Peak level 97.6 %
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Track 8
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\08 - Second Long Space.wav
Peak level 97.6 %
Extraction speed 3.1 X
Track quality 100.0 %
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Track 9
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\09 - Your Goodbye.wav
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Peak level 97.6 %
Extraction speed 2.2 X
Track quality 99.9 %
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Track not present in AccurateRip database
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Track 10
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\10 - Second Short Space.wav
Pre-gap length 0:00:04.76
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Extraction speed 3.0 X
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Track not present in AccurateRip database
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Track 11
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\11 - Ascending.wav
Peak level 71.8 %
Extraction speed 1.0 X
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Track 12
Filename X:\T\Rafael Toral\2024 Spectral Evolution\12 - Changes Reprise.wav
Peak level 97.7 %
Extraction speed 3.3 X
Track quality 100.0 %
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None of the tracks are present in the AccurateRip database
No errors occurred
End of status report
–– CUETools DB Plugin V2.1.6
[CTDB TOCID: KHXR8WkUgPgTuhoW7t1An9aH_Vk-] found
Submit result: KHXR8WkUgPgTuhoW7t1An9aH_Vk- has been confirmed
Track | CTDB Status
1 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
2 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
3 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
4 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
5 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
6 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
7 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
8 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
9 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
10 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
11 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
12 | (1/1) Accurately ripped
==== Log checksum AD46B5B4B1E9061C348B2FB975FB694D5168FC5818964E6D737608AA53B5D635 ====
Thanks to the Original ripper !