Ever been to China? Land of mysticism and a land of wisdom? I find Chinese culture to be mysterious and intriguing (despite the fact that I don't like what China is doing to Tibet right now). Maybe Vangelis decided that "I want to go to China." His studio technicians, all sitting around waiting for their master to play something, questioned his statement. Vangelis (in my imagination of course) strokes his beard, pulls out a picture of a Chinese man and says "In my mind." This is the result...

[1] CHUNG KUO
This one I find interesting because of two things: name and sound. Chung Kuo is the Chinese way of saying "China," and Chung Kuo translates into "central country" (Chinese believed for a long time that they were the center of the world, as most of us had). The sound and melodies suggest a hymn of celebration (like when Beijing celebrated the turnover of Hong Kong on July 1997) because of the cheer-like sound. One gets the feeling of being in Tiananmen Square (like most of us would really like to be there - said with sarcastic tone).

[2] THE LONG MARCH
The Long March is an event in Chinese history when the Chinese Communists marched all over China to spread the "Communist doctrine" and Mao Tse-tung will be among the marchers. You have this impression of a procession going on. You feel like you are witnessing some grand and it stirs up patriotism from wherever country you are from. Then, it ends with Vangelis doing something melodic on the piano, which is quite nice.

[3] THE DRAGON
This track I feel displays the mystery and mysticism of Chinese festivals. It mixes the sounds of the Orient and the avant-garde nature of a Greek. I like the way this piece is energetic, passionate and flowing (in the sense of like a storm or a chase scene). It is full of sound and fury!

[4] THE PLUM BLOSSOM
The Plum Blossom is a symbol of sexuality actually. After hearing that statement, one gets the feeling of being seduced and harmed very and very quickly (like Tom Lehrer's "The Masochism Tango"). At first, I imagined something like someone dancing in an European garden because of the way the violin part plays (which is Michel Ripoche, a part collaborator on earlier Vangelis albums and in his days with Aphrodite's Child). And there are some which imagines absolutely nothing except just pure music.

[5] THE TAO OF LOVE
This song is very ballad and romantic, which I guess was the point of the whole song. I look at the word "Tao" which means "the Way" and I think, "Is this some kind of a promenade displaying romance and beauty?" Maybe that is what it is because it makes me want to be with somebody right now and share in life's beauty

[6] THE LITTLE FETE
If you carefully listen to the lyrics, it describes the poetic effects of alcohol. Before coming across the lyrics, I was intrigued by this track because it was quiet and noctural-like. The right mixture of flutes, windchimes and keyboards. The guy with a bottle of wine is in the field of flowers with his company of three: myself, moon (knows nothing of drinking) and my shadow (never thirsty). He is alone but he is somehow happy (for a while of course).

[7] YIN AND YANG
I like this song because it does describe the characteristics of the Yin and the Yang. Besides being a popular symbol, it holds religious value because it illustrates the balance of creation and existence. There is a dark side and a light side so to speak. No matter what religion you believe in, you (somewhere in your journey) find a balance between these two. I like it because of the sound textures and the energy it presents itself.

[8] HIMALAYA
This song was used in the Cosmos TV series. Of course, one wonders why it was used so much? I remember the scenes it was used for like looking at the DNA molecule close up and the complexity of the human brain and the possibility of other solar systems existed and so on. I think this song is worth listening to all those times is because the impression it leaves you. It makes you feel like you are exploring and seeing the unknown. It is worth using if it can do that!

[9] SUMMIT
This one I like because it symbolizes an end of a journey. You have a long laborous path that you followed for a long time. You then come across a mountain and decide to climb it in harsh weather and physical strain. Then, you approach the top and witness an awe... a view to remember. Soon, you feel the fullness and greatness of life in a way that you might not have felt before. New ideas and new thoughts come across to you. You achieve, on the summit, the goal of both an experienced mountaineer and a wise philosopher. (Again, this is my feeling on it while I listened to it, which is a mixture of my own beliefs.)