This is the long-awaited third album from Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble. Focusing on the music of Armenia, based on adaptations of Komitas Vardapet, the pieces draw upon both medieval sacred music and the bardic tradition of the Caucasus (a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia). Alongside these works are Arvo Part's Most Holy Mother of God, a Byzatine Chant, two pieces from Jan Garbarek, and also Perotin's Alleluia, Nativitas. The saxophones of Garbarek weave effortlessly around and through the exquisite voices of the Hilliard Ensemble, performing the role of an improvising fifth voice. Both partites are in fine form here and if you are a fan of their previous recordings, you won't be disappointed. As usual, the ECM sound is exquisite.