For Sundays When It Rains is a twelve-track collaboration between American ambient legend Robert Rich, and Italian guitarist/ composer Luca Formentini. As its title suggests this is a decidedly mellow, soothing and at points melancholic-tinged collection of songs.

The CD/ digital release appears on Mr Rich’s own Soundscape label. I’m reviewing the CD version of the album- this comes presented in a nicely moody digipak. On its front cover, we have a close-up picture of dripping water on a branch, with the three-panel gatefold takes in a picture of rain hitting the ground.

For the release, Rich plays/ handles- Piano, Flute, Haken Continuum, Sequential Prophet X, Sequential Prophet 12, Synthtech e520, and Lap Steel Guitar. And Formentini handles- Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, and Fretless Guitar. The release was recorded between February and June 2022 in various locations- initially together, then apart. Though throughout the album maintains a feeling of closeness, which really gives one the vibe that the pair were in the same room/ space throughout the process.

Many of the tracks have a loose/jam-type quality- though there is sonic shape and structure throughout. Lengthwise the tracks run between the three and seven-minute mark. In the first half of the album, we move from the foreboding fretless guitar plucking meets swooning slight eastern-tinged ambient simmer ‘n’ swoon of “Passacagila”. Onto slowly tolling keys, spaced & wide guitar strums, and forlornly wavering pitch wistfulness of “Rune”. Through to slow even guitar string plucking, gentle lap steel moodiness, and synth string glide 'n' glint of “Second Day”.

In the second half, we find lulling & mystical flute trails meet the gentle guitar pick ‘n’ strum of “Book With Out Pages”.  There’s “Murmurs” which is all about glowing then hazing ambient chiming ‘n’ hover- which is underfed more shadowy bass glides. Or the final epic glide ‘n’ toll of “Memento” which brings together a gentle twin weave of plaintive key notation, and atmospheric guitar picks, glints, & twangs.

For Sundays When It Rains is a deeply soothing & completive release- with both parties' talents coming together in a balanced & often lightly profound manner. To buy direct head over to Soundscape's page here.