The San Francisco-based all-male vocal group Chanticleer has been singing for 45 years, during which time the ensemble has furthered the choral arts in North America and established a large following. Of course, the group's make up has changed often in the almost half-century of its existence, but the quality and commitment they bring to this recording must have been present from the beginning. On a Clear Day presents two decades' worth of music commissioned by or arranged for the choir, plus several firm favourites of Chanticleer. The contemporary pieces are all by American composers, ranging from Mason Bates's Heine setting Die Lorelei and George Walker's Shakespeare setting Blow, blow, thou winter wind, to Augusta Read Thomas's The Rewaking. The entire programme is delivered with the skilful aplomb one expects from these voices, who let their collective hair down in hugely enjoyable arrangements of songs by Harold Arlen, Joni Mitchell and Burton Lane.

Platoon, digital release only [58:00] ★★★★★