Jazz Sebastian Bach
This reissue, combining recordings made in 1963 and 1968, is probably one of the most original contributions to 2000's celebration of the 250th anniversary ofJ.S. Bach's death. Amid a plethora of choral and organ recording projects, the unique sound of the Swingle Singers' Bach arrangements stands out as something quite extraordinary--that is, unless you heard it first time around in the 1960s. The Swingle Singers started out by attempting to sing Bach'sWell-Tempered Clavier. The "doo-be-doo" style of singing together with the bass and drums accompaniment may have the more purist music-lover reaching for the stop button--it certainly did back in the 1960s--but the Swingles' performances are impeccable. The eight jazz singers are required to explore the extremities of their ranges, often singing in parallel thirds and octaves, and frequently at breakneck speed. The overall effect is innocent, fun, rather cheesy, and very summery--it will go down well at a barbecue party and probably appeal to those who have enjoyed compilations such asMusic to Watch Girls By.--Rebecca Agnew