NORWICH – Fans of local guitarist, songwriter and composer Tom Rasely may find his latest release – Journeys: Vocal & instrumental music for the 10,000 paths – to be a distinct departure from what they’ve heard in the past.

Unlike many of his previous efforts, Journeys is “not grounded in the guitar” but more compositionally focused, according to Rasely, who considered his primary instrument “just one part of the entire orchestra this time around.”

The album’s title track sheds some light on the concept of the 10,000 paths, stating “each journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” Rasely explained. “All travelers on ten thousand paths find solace in enduring love.”

Teeming with messages, themes and imagery of peace, love, friendship, worship and childhood, Rasely said the album was, originally, never intended for release.

The guitarist said he first composed “Peace Like a River,” ironically the album’s final track, as an experimental keyboard and multi-layered vocal piece. The theme of peace led naturally to that of love, said Rasely, who began to think he had a full-fledged project on his hands.