Although outspoken in his support of the post-World War I Parisian avant-garde during his youth, English composer Arthur Bliss ended his long career as a dedicated proponent of a more conservative, neo-Romantic musical aesthetic. Educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge and at the Royal College of Music (where he found his studies with Charles Stanford too stifling), Bliss' earliest music (all later withdrawn and subsequently destroyed by the composer) shows a strong knowledge of and interest in the music of Edward Elgar. After service with the Royal Fusiliers (and later the Grenadier Guards) during the War, however, Bliss' musical aesthetic changed dramatically, and he quickly became known as a thoroughly "modern" composer, owing more allegiance to the exciting happenings ……
From Allmusic

Jewish poetry dating back to the time of the Spanish expulsion (1492) is transformed by composer Bruce Adolphe into a captivating song cycle for soprano, guitar, and French horn that revels in Ladino-inspired melodies, exotic new instrumental timbres, and astonishing virtuosity. A complete scene from the opera Mikhoels the Wise includes the haunting “Lullaby of Birobidzhan.” Out of the Whirlwind recalls the unforgettable poetry and songs written by members of the Jewish resistance during World War II, as well as by other victims of the Holocaust.

From Naxos

St. Jude Square is a neighborhood living in fear and despair. The dueling gangs of local kingpins Dash and Antuan terrorize the streets and the citizens live without a shred of hope… until mysterious stranger Ryan Hong (Cung Le) arrives in town. He begins to play one gang against the other using his unparalleled martial arts skills, and by calling on the teachings of his brilliant mentor Tiano (Jean-Claude Van Damme) to find the strength to battle back. However, just as he begins to bring the community under control, Hong is confronted by Mr. V, the town's ruthless and corrupt police chief. At first Mr. V is impressed by Hong's skill, but soon sees Hong as a threat to his regime, and the two warriors are locked in a head-to-head battle, pitting the fear and corruption of Mr. V's regime versus the new beginning Hong represents for the people of St. Jude Square.

Andy is a legendary Mahjong player. Years ago Andy's passion for Mahjong cost his family their entire fortune–his brother Louis then turned against him. Now, as Louis is having some financial troubles, Andy offers to take care of him and their aging mother. Gigi, Andy's ex-flame, is increasingly disappointed in Andy's rejection–she spitefully wishes he'll never win at the Mahjong table again. Will her words come true?

An elderly Jewish widow living in Atlanta can no longer drive. Her son insists she allow him to hire a driver, which in the 1950s meant a black man. She resists any change in her life but, Hoke, the driver is hired by her son. She refuses to allow him to drive her anywhere at first, but Hoke slowly wins her over with his native good graces. The movie is directly taken from a stage play and does show it. It covers over twenty years of the pair's life together as they slowly build a relationship that transcends their differences.

In English Valtari translates as "steamroller" and there is something right about the title in terms of the process of its creation. The last three tracks of Valtari are like one long slow gorgeous fade out, as the listener, having been softened up by the slightly more "song-y" start to the album, is left with the subtly shifting, deep introspective beauty of the last 24 minutes. After that, penultimate track, Valtari is like the far heart of the album; eight minutes that feel like being alone in row boat on a chill day.

VinylStudio is PC software purpose-built to digitize records and tapes. It can: record your LPs and tapes; split them into tracks; look up track listings over the Internet; remove clicks, hiss, hum and more; burn both audio and MP3 CDs and DVDs; copy tracks to your MP3 player or iPod; organise your music collection.