Review of Officium

This is early music performed by some major talent, The Hilliard Ensemble, but there have been some liberties taken, most notably the addition of Jan Garbarek's saxophone. For the most part, this odd combination works, lending atmospheric and meditative touches to the structured vocal chants. At some points, though, the saxophone becomes an over-powering presence, just on the cusp of being intrusive or slightly irritating. It's an acquired taste, but a nearly perfect soundtrack for wandering the cobblestone lanes of old medieval towns or watching rain fall outside the window of a warm coffeehouse. Verdict: A solid album, but could have used more balanced sound adjustment between the sax and the voices.