VERNAL EQUINOX

Jon Hassell's debut album has a similar feel to his later, better known works. It features hypnotic world music styled percussion tracks, with Hassel playing long breathy notes on his trumpet. What's missing is the eerie synthesizer treatments that made his horn so distinctive and otherworldly. the liner notes mention synthesizer alteration, but it must be slight, because it isn't noticable.

The percussion is great, but then any album that I've heard with Nana Vasconcelos on it has had great percussion. And the music is intriguing, but if you are new to Hassell's work, I would recommend starting with one of the better albums, like "Possible Music". "Power Spot" or "Citi".