To Trips: Guitarra 66

For his solo debut, Guitarra ’66, Portuguese experimental noise luminary Tó Trips takes a drastic left-hand turn from the caustic Brancanian dirge he created in the ’90s playing guitar with such influential groups as Santa Maria Gasolina Em Teu Ventre and Lulu Blind by recording with a lone acoustic guitar. Inspired by the likes of modern jazz guitar great Marc Ribot, raga master Peter Walker, and various classical music figures from the 16th century, Trips rechannels the passion he once exuded with feedback and effects pedals through the muted beauty of nylon strings. Elements of acoustic-based musics from Brazil, Cuba, and North Africa all come into play across this album’s dozen tracks, not to mention the sounds of his native Portugal, most notably the work of the late 12-string world guitar hero Carlos Paredes. This is a gorgeous work crafted by an artist who has proven his ability to find sonic comfort outside of his own niche.