As we know, King Alfonso's court was a place where Christian, Muslim and Judaic cultures mixed. Joel Cohen's ensemble of singers, with Shira Kammen on harp and vielle, is joined by a Moroccan ensemble led by Mohammed Briouel. The meeting of the two ensembles makes for a happy marriage because many of the Cantigas melody lines feature elements that are found in Arabo-Andalusian music. The famous Santa Maria strela do dia takes on a vibrant new color when it is punctuated by such flavorful Arabic percussion instruments as darbouka and taar. Anne Azéma's soulful singing is featured in the lively Gran dereit, a miracle tale propelled by Kammen's vielle playing and percolating Arabic percussion. Hayet Ayad's throaty singing makes Tod' ome deve dar loor a heart stopping moment of beauty and earnest devotion. It's a high point of the recording. Briouel and his ensemble's best work is on the penultimate track, a passionate song in Arabic featuring singer Saïd Chraibi. I haven't heard Eduardo Paniagua's Sony Hispánica recordings of this music (too expensive and difficult to come by in the U.S.) but I can heartily recommend this recording to anyone wanting to acquaint themselves with the many riches found in the Cantigas. An excellent recording on all levels.CRAIG ZEICHNER