Trio Mediaeval’s fourth album for ECM draws percussionist Birger Mistereggen into their vocal fray to paint a broad picture in pigments of fables, myths, and legends. Mistereggen’s contributions deftly balance the trio’s often-ethereal singing with earthen tones. The program is a veritable flipbook of styles, ranging from call and response to lullaby, battle cry to prayer, and always with respite close at hand. The album also includes an easter egg for label aficionados in the form of “Bruremarsj frå Gudbrandsdalen” (Wedding march from Gudbrandsdalen), alluding all the way back to Jan Garbarek’s seminal Triptykon from 1973.

– Tyran Grillo