"This extraordinary first CD release by master flutist and student of World Music defies easy description. The original haunting melodies speak to the heart in ways we have rarely experienced with East-West synthesis music. The compositions are so innovative and diverse that the album never becomes repetitive."
- Access Magazine

The music on the CD Facing East, evolved out of compositions John wrote. The deep influences of classical Indian music and western music are apparent. The CD features John on bansuri, western flute, and keyboards along with guitar, bass, sarod, violin, tabla and percussion.

1. East Wind - A tribute to Chick Corea and Paul Horn that took shape when Sandip hit the tabla groove at 3:00 one morning.
2. Purnima - (Hindi word for full moon) A simple folk-like melody.
3. The Dancers - Dedicated to the greatness of Dance and highlighted by Zoltan Lantos’s violin.
4. Himalayan - a simple trace-like piece I always love to play.
5. Facing East - Based on raga Hansadwani and inspired by Zakir Hussains's composition, "Making Music".
6. Morning Gopis - As I was playing bansuri one morning in a South Indian ashram, many ladies came out and danced to the music.
7. No Mind - Tiruvanamalai, South India. Ramana Maharshi ashram. Deep Silence. No mind. Special thanks to Lawson for his soulful sarod playing and many hours spent in helping me arrange this piece. Rupak tala of 7 beats is the rhythmic cycle.
8. Rainbows/Rainbow Journey - Rainbows begins with ideas based on the traditional rain raga, "Desh", and blends into Ed Sarath's beautiful composition "Rainbow Journey".
9. Jeannette's Dream - To Jeannette with Love. In ektal and fast teental rhythmns.
10. All Bliss - Dedicated to the great bansuri master and my bansuri guru, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. When he plays, it's all bliss.

In 1997, The Facing East CD was nominated for three “Wammies” the Washington DC Area Music Awards, sponsored by Washington Area Music Association; Best New Age recording, Best World Music Duo/Group World, and John Wubbenhorst for the best instrumentalist in the World category.