Open Space by Rafael Toral

Open Space is a Space Program retrospective.
I have walked far enough away from it now, and here is the time to pause, turn around, and look back at the whole thing.
Imperfection, just like performance itself, was built-in the Space Program (my whole output from 2004 to 2017). In their "meticulous imperfection", every album in the Space Program had some tracks that i found somehow touched a higher level. To my surprise, this collection of such "pearls" offers a view of consistency and accuracy, in form and spirit, that is superior to any of these albums. In this view — of its, well, "open space" — the Space Program as a whole appears to have been a greater accomplishment than i believed it was.

Although i have been "turning the page" since 2017, i would like to offer you Open Space as a lens to look back at the Space Program with me, already with Moon Field and Saturn in the landscape as transitional records, and before i enter new recording projects reintroducing the guitar, or sail ahead with the most advanced findings of the Space Program as they live on in the Space Quartet.

I am greatly indebted to all the musicians who participated in these recording sessions.
Rafael Toral,
Regada, May 20, 2020

The Space Program albums:
https://rafaeltoral.bandcamp.com/album/space-solo-2 (2017)
https://rafaeltoral.bandcamp.com/album/space-elements-vol-iii (2011)
https://rafaeltoral.bandcamp.com/album/space-elements-vol-ii (2010)
https://rafaeltoral.bandcamp.com/album/space-elements-vol-i (2009)
https://rafaeltoral.bandcamp.com/album/space-solo-1-2 (2007)
https://rafaeltoral.bandcamp.com/album/space (2006)

Tracklist

1.	Part IIa	5:35

2.	Modulated Feedback 1	1:16

3.	II.V	10:17

4.	I.IV	6:56

5.	Part IIc, d	13:45

6.	III.III	3:45

7.	Glove Touch	3:18

8.	III.VII	6:04

Credits

released May 29, 2020

On respective tracks, with thanks to all,
César Burago, percussion.
Rute Praça, cello.
João Paulo Feliciano, Rhodes piano.
Riccardo Dillon Wanke, Rhodes piano.
Tatsuya Nakatani, percussion.
Sei Miguel, pocket trumpet.
Fala Mariam, alto trombone.
Ruben Costa, synthesizer.
Rafael Toral, electronic instruments.

Cover:
Collage by João Paulo Feliciano: I Dream of Cities in Colours #14 (paper collage, 112 x 74 cm), courtesy of the artist and Cristina Guerra Contemporary Art.
Layout by Helder Luís.
Typeface by Mário Feliciano: Stella, ©FTF 2000—2006.

NPL 029

Tracklist:

1. Part II a (Space)
2. Modulated Feedback 1 (Space Solo 2)
3. II.V (Space Elements Vol. II)
4. III.III (Space Elements Vol. III)
5. I.IV (Space Elements Vol. I)
6. Part II c+d (Space)
7. Glove Touch (Touch 25)
8. III.VII (Space Elements Vol. III)

Info on Open Space tracks:
rafaeltoral.net/audio/open-space/

On the Space Program:
rafaeltoral.net/about/space-program/

Guide to Rafael Toral discography:
rafaeltoral.net/records/guide-to-discography/

License