Ward Swingle's Grammy-winning, envelope-pushing mixed-voice octet is simply one of the best and most influential vocal groups of all time. 'Romantic' is a digitally-remastered reissue of recordings made in 1967, and the fresh, effortless sound on these 11 songs delights and amazes us again. The prolific Swingles have performed and recorded in many styles, Bach to the Beatles, folk songs to film themes, but they hit the big time as a vocal jazz group and it remains in our minds their forte. Beethoven's 'Scherzo' and 'Allegro,' Chopin's 'Allegro,' 'Etude op. 10,' 'Etude op. 25,' and 'Waltz' are particularly marvelous. Schumann's 'Short Fugue,' and two by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, 'Spinning Song' and 'Andante,' are excellent, as are Mussorgsky's 'Limoges, The Market.' Rounding out the CD are two gems; 'Zortzinco' by Isaac Albeniz and Schubert's 'Andante.' There is occasional unobtrusive light percussion and double bass. Still performing, touring and recording extensively (most recently the excellent CDs 'Ticket to Ride,' 'Keyboard Classics,' 'Live in Japan' and 'Mood Swings' were released on our own PAC records), it is a real treat to hear some of the Swingles' work from 37 years ago, especially with the remastering. Perfect then, perfect now!