Johannes Regis is certainly not a household name, mainly because very little of his music survives, far less than for the two figureheads of his generation, Ockeghem and Busnoys.
Scholars have rated him for many years, but for lovers of early polyphony, the chance to hear his output in the round will be indeed be a treat, because this is a master of the first rank who sounds quite unlike either of his more famous colleagues. Listen to his marvellous Puisque ma dame, not only one of the most unusual songs of its time, but also an instantly seductive one.
The best-known part of his output, and the one that proved the most influential, is his motets. Most are on texts that were rarely set, or even specially written. The Christmas motet O admirabile commercium is at once boldly conceived and playful, intricately detailed but punctuated by well staged, memorable gestures; and his Ave Maria…Virgo serena probably inspired Josquin's earliest surviving masterpiece. Then there are the Masses: the one on L'homme armé is perhaps the more immediately outgoing, a worthy contribution to an illustrious tradition; but the more reflective Ecce ancilla/Ne timeas Mass grows in stature with repeated listening.
However little music survives, one senses that with Regis, as with Ockeghem, each work explores, and resolves, its own set of challenges.
Much of this has been recorded once before in performances of real value, but the cumulative effect of hearing it all done by a single group yields a different level of insight. That the group in question is on top form is more than a bonus. Edward Wickham's choice of tempi is sure-footed, as a result of which most details simply fall into place. The close recording captures the energy and zest with which they tackle the music. Add the stylish presentation and an informative text, and the project makes the leap from self-recommending to essential listening: wonderful.

….this is a master of the first rank…Edward Wickham's choice of tempi is sure-footed, as a result of which most details simply fall into place...Listen to his marvellous Puisque ma dame, not only one of the most unusual songs of its time , but also an instantly seductive one: I bet you’ll be hooked…Add the stylish presentation and an informative text, and the project makes the leap from self-recommending to essential listening: wonderful.