TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURRENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : Excellent Good Fair Poor : COMPACT DISCS

“The Circle.” John Kaizan Neptune. Denon. Playing variously pitched shakuhachi flutes, Neptune is surrounded by an international group in a set of 10 original works that display Japanese, Latin, Indian and/or American elements. The frequent use of a five-tone scale lends much of the music its flavor. “Tokyo Pace” is fast but never furious; “Spring Breeze,” with koto effects, is airily cheerful; “North of Noplace” dances along daintily. Superior fidelity (32-channel digital mastering) enhances this polyethnic parade, which runs almost 63 minutes. 1/2