A year or so ago I reviewed Hespèrion XXI’s exploration of Latin American music in the 18th century (A/10) and was charmed by its mix of Old and New worlds. A similar intention animates this surprising recording by the Swedish Ensemble Villancico, which draws on the recent research of a number of scholars and musicians. As often happened throughout Latin America, not a few local composers were of indigenous origin, even early on. For the most part, although the texts set are sacred, the musical style is usually reminiscent of the dance rhythms and jaunty melodies of the country’s popular traditions. None the less, several pieces here are cast in the familiar villancico form and are written for double choir, testifying to the accomplishment of these composers and their successful integration of local and imported idioms; and there’s also a cappella singing of the sort associated with the church music of the Old World, in the shape of a Salve regina setting by the Bogotá composer Gutierre Fernàndez Hidalgo, who worked in Quito early in the 17th century.

As one might expect, Ensemble Villancico combine voices and instruments, with percussion, plucked strings and a degree of judicious arranging featuring prominently. Only the ending, with its drones, chimes and a faint air of beads and bangles harks back strangely to a more familiar, recent past. One hesitates to use the loaded term ‘exotic’, particularly as such ventures are no longer unfamiliar; but to the extent that this particular repertoire is unfamiliar still, one could not hope for a more engaging introduction.