Venus

A series of increasingly capable spacecraft were sent to explore the inner planets Venus and Mercury. The history of that planetary exploration is traced in this book along with the evolution of sophisticated spacecraft that unveiled long-sought secrets of the planets. The spacecraft were ingenious and reflected the best efforts of talented people working with the available technology of the day. Additionally, this book showcases engineering involved in those capable machines.

From its earliest editions, the Isola Jazz festival, first held in 2005, has hosted innumerable exponents of international jazz, including the great drummer Bobby Durham, to whom the festival has been dedicated since 2009. This beautiful live performance — recorded in Italy, but by a group of musicians who record for Japan's Venus Records label — easily one of the classiest jazz imprints of the past decade or two! And as a further twist, a number of the artists here are American — which makes the whole thing a great trans-national performance, handled with energy to match.

This Japanese Venus Records' release features timeless lullaby tunes to relax with and enjoy. A wonderful Italian pianist Massimo Faraò united with Laura Klain and Nicola Barbon to perform a classical works by Brahms, Schubert, Mozart, Grieg, Chopin, and some traditional native compositions.

Born and raised in the East Harlem section of New York City, Joyce Elaine Yuille is a multi-faceted vocalist, performing in all genres and styles. But Gospel, Jazz, Soul and Blues are the backgrounds of Joyce Yuille. Starting her venture into the world as a runway model she eventually found her true path…The union between her soul, love of music and God-given talent as a singer. Her admiration for divas such as Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, Etta James, Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald and all time favorite, Phyllis Hyman, have influenced her to create a personal style that is respectfully appreciated and admired by her audience. Joyce Yuille has this style that's very classic, and very groovy – jazz-based, with a nice rasp in her voice that really brings out some of the more soulful qualities in the music.

Italian jazz vocalist Claudia Zannoni takes her inspiration from 1950s and '60s jazz, and singers such as Nancy Wilson, Anita O'Day and Ella Fitzgerald. She has collaborated wtih Massimo Farao', Phil Harper, Rodney Bradley, Davide Palladin, Danilo Memoli and many others. For this release she's backed by a fantastic Arrigoni's Strings Orchestra.

The “Ashen Light” of Venus—a ghostly emission of light from the night side of our nearest planetary neighbor—is among the last unsolved mysteries of astronomical history. In the four centuries since the phenomenon was first reported, highly reputable visual observers of Venus have recorded seeing the Ashen Light, while others have spent a lifetime searching for it without once being convinced that they ever saw it.