The CD is billed on the cover as "Original soundtrack music from SEGA's Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time" but it is not stated on the CD from which game any given track comes, or whether or not the complete soundtrack for either (or both) games is included. As such, I have no idea how complete the package is or if they included the best music from any given game here.

Much of the CD has a very similar feel to it. The style has been compared to that of a movie soundtrack, and the comparison isn't totally unjustified. A theme runs throughout the CD, not as strong as a succession of repeating notes, but a general feeling, accomplished through the repeated use of the same instruments with a unifying undertone. This is a slow, contemplative CD, heavy on high-quality synthesizer and low-frequency percussion, not an energetic romp like you would find on a typical game music CD. That doesn't make it bad, just something that the potential buyer should be aware of. It is not altogether my kind of music; I require more pace and outright energy, as opposed to the subtle nuances involved here. That having been said, the music is composed with skill and well-orchestrated. Several tracks, in spite of their slower pace, are quite gripping. Abyss and St. Gabriel's Mask (both included on the Sega Power Cuts) along with Aqua Vistas and The Machine are the best examples of this.

The CD doesn't include any of the fancy extras you could expect from a Japanese CD of the same ilk, it has a very short introduction from Spencer Nilsen and that's it. Nevertheless, the fact that it is domestically released, and the resulting price tag (about $15, I believe) make it an easy pill to swallow for the wary buyer. For those interested in a different flavor of game music, it makes a worthy purchase.