Guitar by Erik Borelius

At the same time, making a collection felt like a logical step after releasing six albums and Erik was inspired by the idea of recording the tracks from scratch and allowing them to be influenced by the feelings and the knowledge that he has today.

With the new recordings, Erik has taken his original intentions with the melodies one step further. Much of the material has therefore received a new sound: "Duende" has become an even more heavy-beat spaghetti western track. The Flamenco guitarist Alberto Vicente helps put more heat into "Säg inte nej, Señorita" (Eng. "Don't say no, Señorita"). More action has been added to the Bond inspired track "My Kind of Picture" and the melodies from Perfect Partners and Fantasy have been refined and received a richer character.

Erik was very excited when he saw a book full of naivistic drawings by art director Johan Adelstål. "This is how I want the cover to look!" And so it was done! Every illustration and all the text in the 24 page booklet has been specially made for the album by Johan Adelstål!

Erik has had the privilige of playing with many skilled musicians over the years and a number of them have participated on this album. Aare Pöder, Johan Granström, Christer Sjöström and all the others have, with their ideas and their musicality, given the music an added dimension. "We have also had a lot of fun" Erik says. "Hopefully this comes through on the record!"

Below you can read what the press wrote about "Guitar":

"His virtuoso style and his curiosity for all kinds of music from different cultures is appealing and exciting, to say the least... it´s interesting if you compare the new recordings... This time it´s wilder, tougher, and at times more profound and nuanced." (Nerikes Allehanda)

"Erik Borelius turns so quickly that he can be hard to follow and the result is so good and so much fun to listen to . ... An album full of variety, but still a unity. ...waiting to be discovered by a giant audience in the whole world. I take my cap of and bow." (Dala-Demokraten)

"It's suggestive and beautiful, technically clever and convincing. But it´s not easy to put a label on the guitar master Erik Borelius... his virtuoso side is also abundantly explored on this generously comprehensive album." (Länstidningen Östersund)

"...an old favourite; a guitar virtuoso with a feeling for melodies... No, the new recordings won´t make me revalue Borelius." (Norra Västerbotten)

"For me the name Erik Borelius, until now, was unknown.... Now I will remember it. ... I step into this guitar-landscape. And stay, for a long time. ... his absolutely brilliant guitar playing is enough to drive away the darkness of winter." (Nya Dagen)

"... highly dextrous, flamenco-variations... presented in a melting-pot full of contrasts that turns from curiosity-rock to classical music... yummy for the freaks..." (Sundsvalls Tidning)

"The versatility is his strength, as well as the ability to create moods and write beautiful melodies - not to mention the technical skill." (Hallands Nyheter)

"Then there are those who reach one step further and develop an amazing skilfulness on their instrument. Among them you can find names like John McLaughlin, Göran Söllscher, but also Erik Borelius." (Västerbottens Folkblad)

"Superguitarist Erik Borelius... sure of aim as an Indian on a buffalo-hunt... If this isn´t relaxing, rhythmic and beautiful I don´t know what it is." (Örnsköldsviks Allehanda)

"The result feels like an album of completely new music. ... The technique is there but never as an end in itself. The melodies are too good for that. ... If you like McLaughlin, Di Meola and other guitar-heroes this album is a must." (Karlskoga Tidning)

"Here you have a good chance to discover this exciting guitar-player, who offer you nothing but pearls from his rich production from 1986 until today. (Göteborgs-Posten)

"new recordings... A successful move - like adding zest to food... He plays in a sensitive and personal way where every fragile tone feels important. ...a blend of classic guitar, jazz and folk music. But still more..." (Värnamo Nyheter, Tranås Tidning & Vetlanda Posten)

"Imagine Jimi Hendrix, imagine Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Kings, think of Swedish folk-music and sadness. ...The influences comes from many different styles but Erik's astonishing technique and perfectly clear acoustic tone together with his arrangements forms a whole often lacking on a "Best Of"-album. (Gefle Dagblad)

"Erik really knows how to handle his instrument and the blend of Swedish jazz and Latin sounds and rhythms works superbly. (Upsala Nya Tidning)

"Erik Borelius covers the whole register. Sometimes so bold that you in one melody have a hard time deciding what you are listening to. Well, call it music. Wonderful music!... I have only heard one guitar-player manage anything like it, that´s my earlier idol, Paco de Lucia.... With panegyric words I praise the guitar-player and musician Erik Borelius to the skies where he now belongs:..." ( Leopold Report)

"This years album 2000" (Hallands Nyheter)

"Well, is it suitable for reference-listening? Oh, yes if you won´t get caught by the fabulous beat of the music and forget to analyze. There is a risk because the album just grows and grows the more you listen to it..." (HIFI Magasinet)

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