The recently established German label Paschen Records whose small catalogue (about 20 releases thus far) seems to indicate a focus on baroque organ and period music, have just released a recording by the Medieval music specialist ensemble Trobar e Cantar, which I assume translates to Troubadours and Cantors. It features songs from the 13th to 15th centuries by Guillaume de Machaut, Jehan de L'escurel, Guillaume Dufay, and of course the ever prolific Anonymous, arranged for period wind instruments, harp, percussion and three voices, by soprano and ensemble director Marcia Lemke-Kern.

Most of the tracks showcase the voices of sopranos Marcia Lemke-Kern and Elisabeth Göckeritz, or mezzo-soprano Sandra Marks, but some, like the hauntingly beautiful Lamento di Tristano & Rotta featured in the included video clip, demonstrate how intimate Britta Hinrichs and Lilli Pätzold (winds), Sophie Steiner (harp) and Daniel Reichert (percussion) are with their individual period instruments. What struck me immediately upon listening to this recording is the quality of the audio engineering itself. For example, the balance between the voice, percussion and what I believe is a krummhorn in the Bon jour, bon mois by Guillaume Dufay is exemplary. In general, the sound is always quite close and intimate, as if you were standing in a medieval courtyard only a few feet away from a platform and makeshift backdrop. And despite being the Middle Ages, most of these 'love' songs project a jovial spirit.

Who needs a time-machine when good recordings like this can make you believe it's the summer of 1469.