Esoterica is another set of first-rate serene shifting soundscapes from Dan Pound. As on prior albums, Pound uses analog and digital synths and samplers, voice, flute, and didgeridoo. He melds them into a thoroughly pleasant array of moods and sounds. Divided into eight parts, each one floats calmly by with influences ranging from Tangerine Dream to Brian Eno, often all within the same track. For example, "Esoterica Part One" starts with smooth floating music for a few minutes, but segues into a bright sequencer-based passage for the remainder. I particularly like part two, with a fascinating echoing bass line with quirky percussion running parallel to it. It defies easy categorization or description, but suffice to say it is a refreshingly unique take on electronic ambient music. The beat gets heavier and more tribal, ably aided by Pound's Lakota flute playing. By now over 20 minutes of excellent ambience has passed, with still more to come. Part three has a brisk, bright sequence and a sweeping synth that rises and falls. Then this fantastic chugging bass line takes over, although the energy remains restrained just so. Instead of continuing to build on this, Pound teases and then brings it back down, creating this wonderful dynamic. Part four has a stuttering little rhythmic bit, a hint of glitchy electronica but smoother than that. We're now well over 40 minutes in and it just keeps getting better. The energy goes up a notch on parts five and six, the latter featuring this cool clipped processed didgeridoo sound. The latter sections of the album with their clean, crisp, computerized percussion remind me of Vir Unis and James Johnson on their excellent Perimeter series, or Vir's solo album Mercury and Plastic. After all this fun with rhythm, the floating tones of part eight bring the disc to a relaxed finish. Esoterica is easily one of the best ambient releases of 2009 so far.

The latest album from ambient artist, Dan Pound, serves to cement his old school approach to recorded sound treatments. Reminiscent of early period Tangerine Dream ('70s), Esoterica, created over a 6-month period, is split into eight long pieces that never stray from an isolated but industrialized sound that tells its stories with an icy candor. Each well-composed piece rewards the listener with an event. If you have enjoyed early ambient from classic artists like Michael Hoenig (Departures from the Northern Wastelands), and Tangerine Dream (Stratosfear), then you'll find much to love about Dan Pound, who creates genuine compositions that carry musical weight.

I'm actually surprised that Dan Pound isn't found on any notable ambient labels that can provide better distribution for his self-released works. Dan Pound is a notable ambient talent.

This is the second Pound CD that I've heard, and I've got to admit that I was a bit surprised by the fact that the style is quite different from the first one I had listened to. All musicians, of course, should change as they develop and grow in their artistry, as new styles come to them, or as the muses inspire them to shift in other directions. That, however, is often not the case.

Musicians many times find a "voice" and they don't wander too far from that sound. Mr. Pound seems to be not limiting himself to that path. I salute his choice, although I suspect it makes it harder to get a following. Fans tend to push an artist down a single path that they themselves think is the "correct" way to go.

When I first received this CD, I was taken by it right away. I listened to it while on the computer, in the car, and while drifting off to sleep at night. The catch was that I didn't seem to have much of the intellectual side of my mind wandering with the music. The attraction was more emotional, or perhaps gut level for me. This is fine, but it makes for a poor review if you can't express your reaction.

The title Esoterica comes from a Greek word that translates roughly as "within" which seems appropriate with my inner response to the music. The track lengths average around nine or ten minutes although the shortest isn't quite four minutes long.

The album is an eight part suite that drifts from one track into the next. Each section is named Esoterica Part and the number of the track. This doesn't give the mental side much to wrap around the song. If a song is named Invasion From Planet X your mind is given a clue so that you tend to clothe the sound in an image of flying saucers raining destruction on the unsuspecting Earthlings or some such. Pound opted not to give us that outlet with this release.

The recording starts off with a lot of wandering analog-esque soundscapes. (Pound blends analog and digital synths in addition to other sound sources.) It somewhat reminds one of early Berlin School electronica like Tangerine Dream's classic early 70's sound and yet it seems less dark for the most part. However, you often leave the Berlin School sound and enter a shamanic space with occurences of floating vocals "chanting" a ritual and the like. This blending and contrasting of organic sounding items (voice, Lakota flute) with analog / digital sounds is quite a nice feat. Generally, you might think that the two are more at odds then is the case on this recording.

By the middle of the album, you do sail into some darker regions and find mechanical sounding percussions sequencing along as your sonic Odyssey continues. Don't fret. We soon leave behind these haunted regions and fly into a triumphant sunrise. Although my remarks have focused on the ambient aspects, Pound has a strong sense of rhythm that permeates much of the recording accenting the soundscapes with structured regions.

All told, this recording will appeal to lovers of classic electronic music as well as more contemporary electronica lovers.

This CD from 2009 offers 72 minutes of dreamily bouncy electronic tuneage.

Normally, Pound's music is quite ambient and moody, and while this release features such moments, it achieves a lively level as the tunes progress, reaching a state of delightful pep. Passages of delicate electronics are seasoned by keyboards, amiable pulsations, and sultry rhythms.

Initially, while textural airs establish a cosmic tableau, leisurely keyboard riffs float like bubbles on a buoyant breeze, generating a softly melodic presence in the stately twilight. The pace gradually transforms from a dreamy state into some notably spry tuneage as the electronics engage in glistening loops, ushering heavenly voices and gurgling effects into a vivacious whirlpool of luscious depth. This bouncy mode continues in a rewarding and satisfying fashion...until the mood reverts to a regal somnambulance for the finale.

Some percussion is intermittently employed. While most of the beats are muffled, remote, almost celestial in character, the tempos achieve a vigorous level once the music slides into its energized phase.

Sustained flutes and breathy didgeridoo provide ethereal enhancements.

Throughout the course of the CD, these compositions progress from regal ambience to animated zest. The melodies penetrate deep into the audience's psyche where they stimulate a reverent awakening of the subconscious. Pound's mastery of evolving dreaminess into passages of vitalization is thoroughly engaging.

"Esoterica" is the first release of ambient musician Dan Pound in 2009. What this album especially reveals for me, is the fact that Dan has been further refining and shaping is own sound.

The cd contains the title track, divided in eight parts, in which sequenced parts are mingled with free form textural soundscapes, shamanic/ethnic percussion, flute, didjeridoo, and voice. Together they create one spacious aural picture.

These atmospheric, at times even mysterious, soundworlds with occasional drones capes could be considered shamanic space music as both organic, serene and meditative elements are featured throughout the sonic ride.

Fans of the ethnic flavored works of Steve Roach should give this recording a try.