It was considered genius in "olden days" to grasp the idea of eternity or infinity. In ancient times, it was idea only thought of by God and the average man (even some religious folks) couldn't really understand it. In the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church got it somewhat and Dante Alighieri, in his La Commedia (The Divine Comedy) understood it very well. Now, in modern times, the idea is understood but it is still fascinating because… we still can't really understand. Of course, we tried to translate it in more human terms. What's the point? Vangelis made this album and looking at it closely, it reveals a lot about… forever.

[1] SPIRAL
When listening to the first minute or so of this album, you feel like you are falling or time is fleeting by. Actually, this is the first time that synthesizers were able to really do what Vangelis did in the first track… spiral forever. I have often visualized a continuing spiral or Fibanocci spiral (a kind of "Golden Spiral"). One thing I like about it is the dynamism that this piece displays… an orchestral piece one might say. It is the kind of piece that Vangelis tends to be known for.

[2] BALLAD
This is one of my favorites (well, the beginning mostly). The idea of a ballad or ballroom dancing gives it a ballerina-like grace to it. It makes it… lively. Of course, you hear the strange man "singing" and it is unknown on whether that is truly the "unknown man" himself of not. Just sit down and think of the last time you went to a dance and what a good time (or what a bad time in most people's case). Then, you'll know what I mean by graceful.

[3] DERVISH-D
Dervish-D is actually a clever way of saying "Dervish in D." The dervish refers to a Muslim order of ascetic, which perform whirling dances and chants religious formulas (Eastern medicine lives on). I can actually imagine all of this occurring right in front of my eyes. A whole bunch of people dancing away to this electronic phenomenon. Of course, Vangelis is not only trying to create the illusion of dance but he re-enforces the idea of the spiral or continuing forever. He does this by taking synthesizers were they have never gone before… which is forever.

[4] TO THE UNKNOWN MAN
According to the Taoist philosophical book, Tao Te Ching, it is said that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." I can imagine this mystical journey to somewhere grand for the purpose of finding something beyond this world. Maybe walking through the mountains of Tibet… sailing on the rivers of India… trekking through the beauty of the Serengeti… hiking through the cold of Alaska… or sitting down somewhere and imagining your journey taking place. "The Unknown Man" will later be applied to Vangelis because of his nature of being silent and "not known" but that is probably not the intention.

[5] 3 + 3
It is one of those pieces where you either love it or you hate it. I like it because it concludes the album with its original intent… to illustrate the idea of a spiral or infinity. Actually, there is some association with the number 3 like this piece is in 3/4 time and the basic melody is 1—2-3-4-5-&-6. It also explores the possibilities that Vangelis can do as far musical playing and melody structure. Remember… anything is possible.