SAVAE (San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble)
"La Noche Buena"
(World Library)

Christmas music discovered in the archives of 16th- and 17th-century Latin American cathedrals fuses the European traditions of the Spanish conquerors with the melodies and rhythms of African slaves and indigenous converts to Christianity. Fresh and tuneful, the songs are propelled by lively rhythms played on African and Mexican percussion instruments. Especially delightful are the catchy Spanish villancicos written by Mexican composers from the perspective of African worshippers. The collection, which includes sophisticated Mexican polyphony, is performed with buoyancy and high spirits by the versatile ensemble of seven singers-percussionists. A-

-Wilma Salisbury