The Port of Last Resort is a remarkable documentary about the Jewish refugees who emigrated to Shanghai from Nazi Germany in the 1930's. Musically this was a perfect chance to call up Min Xiao-Fen, who I had met earlier in the year. One of the world's greatest virtuosos on the pipa, I had the pleasure of hearing her solo concert and immediately hooked her up with Derek Bailey for a CD of duo improvisations on AVANT. Relatively new to improvisation, with a little encouragement she took to it at once and continues to perform with Derek around the world and with me at my regular improv evenings. As a special guest with the members of the Bar Kokhba project, her sensual tone adds just the touch conveying the curious crossroads of the Chinese and Jewish cultures that took place at this special time and in this special place. It is an honor to have her play this music.

SHANGHAI, OR NE'ERAV and RUAN were written especially for the film. ENUNIM and AHAVAH developed during rehearsals for Makigami Koichi's Japanese production of Richard Foreman's The Mind King, and were played by the great William Winant on percussion and myself on harmonium. The other four compositions. were drawn from the over 200 tunes that compromise the Masada book, chosen here to portray the range of moods and emotions felt by the ex-patriots in their safe but unfamiliar haven so far from home. Inappropriate for the regular Masada quartet, these pieces have never been heard before and receive delicate and passionate performances by five of my very favorite musicians. These guys are amazing and can play anything you put in front of them. Although they come from veyr different backgrounds, their commitment to a common goal is intense, and the interplay is often telepathic. The beautiful sounds of their instruments are captured with depth and sensitivity by Jim Anderson, who has recorded all of the Masada CD's and many of my recent projects. Jim and Kaz are a real team and I thank them both for all they've done to make my projects sound as good as they do. This recording is one of my best.