>[Paul wrote] I think the common-practice associations we have with
the tritone, > dominant-to-tonic pull, etc., are very much cultural,
and those in
> other cultures don't necessarily hear these things in the same way.

Well, other cultures' tuning methods and practices are also culturally-
based. I'm open-minded, and seek the exotic, but I'll follow my
roots, and they'll follow their roots.

>There are many layers between acoustic reality and psychomusical
reality, and one of the huge ones is culture.

Which is completely natural, like having a personality. If cultural
and individual egotism is absent, then this inner layer is a plus, and
is an inevitable component of an artist's personality. I really don't
see it as a constraint. Do you? Maybe this is more a matter of
style.