When John Playford first published the dance tutor The English Dancing Master in 1651, the book was a best seller from the beginning. This may have been due to the well-known melodies, or the attractive choreographed dances. It is not known who composed the melodies, whether Playford was responsible for some himself, or from whom the choreography originates. This recording is beautifully brought to life by The Playfords, an ensemble who by their very name specialises in dance music from the Renaissance and Baroque period, their main emphasis is on English music.