I'd never believe it if I didn't hear it for myself, but this magical recording has such an intense sonic fragrance you can practically sense it before even playing the CD. Philipson -- a master of the North Indian flute called 'bansuri', and Nauseef -- percussionist extraordinaire, whose credits would fill your phone book -- appear here on their first collaborative project. Strains of West Javanese gamelan, North Indian music and Tibetan Tantric sounds float in and around the perimeters. This is an acoustic recording however, so you can cast aside expectations of an over-produced mishmash of techno/trendy copying via computers and simulated noises. Neither are we dealing with geriatric background music. "Venus Square Mars" will NOT relax you; but it WILL haunt your spirit, stimulate your mind, and ultimately warm your heart once you surrender to its hermetic powers. Who would have thought we'd hear in this genre something almost completely unheard in other music of a quiescent nature: that palpable twist of tension and release which belies your attempt to interpret it at face value. Something with not just soul; but guts as well. Its unorthodox instrumentation is one of the keys in unlocking doors of wonder, percussion being the last thing you would expect to find in this genre. Nauseef approaches the entire project with his unparalleled blend of taste and ingenuity. And Philipson keeps you riveted with melodic lines that weave and flow, singing the tune of the traveller. In an age of pretenders and unschooled fly-by-night bandwagon-jumping (you are surely aware of all the catch phrases out there -- "techno-tribal", "healing music", "chill-out", etc.) it is a relief to see timeless professionalism, from a work that transmits the wisdom of ancient Asian cultures in new and exciting ways, ways that do not spoil or dilute the essence of the inspirational sources, but actually enhance them. The production job is up to the usual sky-high standards of all MA releases: gatefold digipak cover with sumptuous design, and audiophile recording quality. Jon Hassell garnered fame and fortune for his "fourth-world" music creations years ago. Since then another contingency has succesfully taken the idea into completely uncharted realms, not by virtue of recording and production techniques (their only accompaniment is the natural echo of Matsumoto City's Harmony Hall), but by sheer seat-of-the-pants study, practice and instrumental mastery. Bravissimo gentlemen! When can we expect more of this?

- Mike Ezzo, Exposé Magazine;
Autumn 1999

Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]