Myth Syzer Birthday

Violet is an album by The Birthday Massacre. It was first released as an extended play (EP) in October 25, 2004, then commercially released in August 9, 2005 as a long play (LP) through Metropolis Records. The LP version included four re-recorded and slightly reworked tracks from their Nothing and Nowhere album: "Happy Birthday", "Horror Show", "Video Kid" and "The Dream".

Marcus Creed amply proves in this recording of the Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne and the Dixit Dominus that he has what it takes to conduct George Frederick Handel. He's got the big beat down, plus the muscular rhythms, vigorous tempos, and vivid textures, as well as the tight ensembles and the unstoppable drive so essential in making Handel come alive. And that's just in the fast choral movements. In the solos and duets, Creed creates poised, alert, and wholly sympathetic accompaniments that help shape the singers' performances as part of the total work. And what singers! Both sopranos are superlative, especially Sophie Kussmann, and countertenor Andreas Scholl is, as always, strong, yet supple and sensitive.

The Power and the Myth is the fourth studio album and the first since the reunion, by House of Lords, released on August 3, 2004. The album marks the return of original members Chuck Wright, Lanny Cordola and Ken Mary, but is the first not to feature keyboardist, main songwriter and founding member Gregg Giuffria. Then Mr. Big drummer Pat Torpey co-wrote many of the songs on the album.

Over the course of more than two decades, Birmingham's UB40 have become global ambassadors for reggae, a journey captured perfectly on The Collection. This programme is split into two main sections: a 26-track video collection and a documentary detailing their 20th anniversary concert in September 2001. Forgoing chronology in favour of a more random approach, the video selection is slightly disjointed on a visual level, leaping from decade to decade within the space of a couple of tracks.