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Enigma is a musical project, that started by Michael and Sandra Cretu in 1990. Michael is both the composer and the producer; Sandra often provides vocals on Enigma tracks. The pair have also worked together under the name Sandra.
Enigma's music evolved from Gregorian chants (MCMXC a.D.) to modern sounds and beats (Screen Behind the Mirror, Voyageur). Enigma achieved their first commercial success through the single "Sadeness", which juxtaposed Gregorian chants with elements of overt sexuality in a strange and unusual new way; a great deal of New Age electronica owes its existence to Enigma's first album. "Sadeness" was named Sadeness Part 1 on its single release in Germany, and Sadness Part 1 on its single release in England. It is a sensual track, with an insatiable beat, which is based around questioning the sexual desires of the Marquis de Sade, hence the German release name of "Sadeness", as opposed to the English word of Sadness.
The content of Enigma's music ranges from sexuality ("Principles of Lust"), love (the struggle between mind and heart), and innocence. However, Michael himself describes Enigma's music as sensual, not sexual.
Every album starts with their signature horn sound mixed into the introductory music.
Michael Cretu is based in Ibiza. Until recently, he ran the "A.R.T Studios" from his mansion in the Ibiza Hills. Michael has now relocated to a purpose built mansion, in Ibiza, and has recently started installing a state-of-the-art recording studio inside one area of the building.
In 1998, Michael Cretu once again teamed up with Jens Gad (they previously worked together on "Le Roi est Mort - Vive Le Roi") and created the album "The Energy of Sound" under the name Trance Atlantic Airwaves.
Discography
Album cover of Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi! (1996)
Albums
Singles - 1990 – Mea Culpa Part II (Charisma Records)
- 1990 – Sadeness (Part 1) (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 1991 – Principles of Lust (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 1993 – Carly's Song (Charisma Records)
- 1993 – Return to Innocence (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 1994 – Age of Loneliness (Virgin Records)
- 1994 – The Eyes of Truth (Virgin Records)
- 1994 – Out from the Deep (Virgin Records)
- 1996 – Beyond the Invisible (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 1997 – T.N.T. for the Brain (Virgin Records)
- 1999 – Gravity of Love (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 2000 – Push the Limits (Virgin Records)
- 2001 – Turn Around (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 2003 – Voyageur (Virgin Records)
- 2003 – Following the Sun (EMI)
- 2004 – Boum-Boum (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
Compilations
Videos
Return to Innocence Enigma created several videos of their songs, the most known video is "Return to Innocence", which shows the life of a man in reverse, starting with his death and ending with his birth.
Sadeness Part 1 Another of Enigma's notable video is "Sadeness Part 1" which shows a man who falls asleep at a desk whilst writing and starts to dream of being a monk, wearing a red cape, and finds himself in an old cathedral ruin.
Mea Culpa [To be written]
Beyond the Invisible The "Beyond the Invisible" video was heavily influenced by Cretu's vision of ice skating, forest nymphs, and 'man-machines' (the latter of which also adorn the Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi! album cover). One of the not-so-known, but also interresting video of Engima is "Turn around", which shows the cultural differences between different continents.
External links - Enigma Official Site (http://www.enigmamusic.com)
- Sandranet.Com (http://sandranet.com/)
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