‘This wonderfully colourful collection puts the vivid vocal qualities of Jeffrey Skidmore's virtuoso choir Ex Cathedra into the foreground … sumptuously realised with a varied—but historically appropriate—panoply of voices and instruments … a richly rewarding CD … I have been driving around with it in my car and my 11-year old son now prefers it to David Bowie … thoroughly recommended’ (Gramophone)
‘Fascinatingly varied in idiom and influence, and Skidmore has unearthed some real gems’ (Choir & Organ)
‘The expressive range is astonishing … a delight to commend’ (BBC Music Magazine)
‘Ex Cathedra has unearthed some magnificent music here; there are plenty of fascinating discoveries, performed with great feeling and panache, and with potent seasoning from the period instruments. The disc has the markings of a bestseller, and certainly deserves to be’ (The Daily Telegraph)
‘Jeffrey Skidmore unearths some scintillating examples of the Old World meeting the New, with Renaissance polyphony underpinned by African-Latin drums. The result is only a few beats removed from modern examples of Catholic worship. A fascinating disc’ (The Independent)
‘Immaculately performed … fascinating’ (The Guardian)
‘This is one of the most exciting releases I've seen in a while … the performance is flawless, with a wide range of emotional expression; the sound is excellent’ (American Record Guide)
‘This really is an irresistible recording, offering a wealth of styles and colours and plenty of South American sunshine. Buy it and discover the New World for yourself’ (International Record Review)
‘Hypnotically good’ (Classic FM)
‘This is one of the most eye-opening CDs—or should I say ear-opening—that I have heard this year. What a magical concoction of sounds—and what brilliant playing!’ (Classic FM)
‘Terrific music, terrific singing’ (The Times)
‘This is arguably the most original CD of the year, and it's generated a huge number of enquiries from Classic FM listeners. Jeffrey Skidmore and Ex Cathedra have tapped a rich seam of baroque choral music … do not be put off by the unfamiliarity of the composers; this is wonderful music’ (Classic FM Magazine)
‘Extremely rewarding, bringing yet further evidence of the richness of Latin American Baroque music … the performances are very accomplished indeed … splendid disc’ (Fanfare, USA)
‘This recording is highly recommended … these are polished, emotionally engaged performances, brightly recorded, of fascinating, exciting repertoire’ (Early Music Today)
‘Stunning … choral music of the most vibrant quality imaginable, performed by Ex Cathedra with equally vigorous zeal … the whole background is fascinatingly documented in Skidmore's own invaluable insert-note … all vocalists display the group's customary virtuosity in a range of languages … unmissable’ (Birmingham Post)
‘Ex Cathedra and Jeffrey Skidmore are first-rate ambassadors for this music … the overall sound is beautiful and the performance, from instrumentalists and singers, has great conviction and energy … an album of unexpectedly wicked delight’ (bbc.co.uk)
Journeys to the New World
Masterpieces of Mexican Polyphony