Mitsuda in-studio with ACE+
From left to right, Kenji Hiramatsu, Tomori Kudo, Mitsuda, uh...some drummer, and Hiroyo "Chico" Yamanaka.
Mitsuda also had Hitoshi Watanabe in the house for a recording session. Watanabe, for those unaware, is a fairly prolific bassist who played on Small Two of Pieces for Xenogears. Watanabe is also a frequent Yoko Kanno collaborator, and his playing (both on acoustic and electric bass) is exceptional.
Uaithne: I've refrained from listening to those samples just yet. I will be playing the game in the coming months, then I can freely listen to the OST. I believe you though.