Libera

St Philips Boy's Choir - Angel Voices 3 (1997)
Christmas/Choral | EAC | FLAC+log+cue | full scans | MCCDX019 | 1CD | 320 MB

It is said that human voices are better music compared to any musical instruments, and this CD is the definite proof. With their heavenly voices, the St.Phillips Choir boys brings you to the land of serenity and offers you the peace of mind. This CD features 20 Christmas carols, some very popular, like White Christmas and The First Noel, but some seldom heard, like Saviour's Day and When a Child is Born. New song or not, the choir boys have added an innocent ambience to each song that absolutely touches the listener's heart. – Arie

This SACD hybrid recording was beautifully crafted at Oslo's Rainbow Studio with engineer Jan Erik Kongshaug, home and technician behind so many classic ECM recordings. While Libera Me is unquestionably a well-crafted album for those who want to simply sit back and be enveloped by something that doesn't confront or challenge, it is in the odd man out tracks—"The Teacher," "Both Sides Now," and especially "Asnah"—where we hear what this album could have been and, perhaps, should have been. Hopefully they are harbingers of what Danielsson has in store next time around.

Libera - Luminosa (2001)
EAC | FLAC+log+cue | full scans | Warner 0927 40117-2 | 1CD | 240 MB

Luminosa is the follow-up to London boys' vocal group Libera's popular 1999 eponymous debut. That album made the pop charts and found the group–they prefer to be called a real boy band rather than a choir–on television with Lesley Garrett. Of the 12 new tracks, half are arrangements of familiar classical melodies.