Enigma (musical project)
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Enigma is a musical project started by Michael Cretu and his wife 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.
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History
Following a number of releases from Cretu that weren't particularly successful, he decided to head on a different direction and in December 1990, he found his winning formula in the creation of Enigma and its first album, MCMXC a.D..
Before the album was released, Cretu was cautious of the response towards the upcoming album, decided to forgo mentioning his real name and credited himself as Curly M.C., furthering the mystery and enigma about the creators of the album.
Enigma's music has evolved from Gregorian chants (MCMXC a.D.), to ethnic chants (The Cross of Changes), 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 I)" on its single release in Germany, and "Sadness Part I" on its single release in England. It is a sensual track with an insatiable beat 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 (Gravity of Love), and innocence (Return to Innocence). However, Michael 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 "ART 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.
Enigma is under contract by Virgin Records to release a total of eight albums at a rate of one per three years. At the current rate, the last Enigma album will be released in 2012.
Influence of Enigma's music
Songs from Enigma have appeared on notable TV shows and movies, such as:
- Beyond the Invisible in the TV series, La Femme Nikita
- Return to Innocence in an episode of the TV series, The Outer Limits
- RTI in the movie, Man of the House
- RTI and Sadeness (Part I) in the movie, Exit to Eden
- Sadeness in the movie, Boxing Helena
- Principles of Lust in the movie, Single White Female
- Carly's Song and Carly's Loneliness in the movie, Sliver.
RTI also appeared in numerous TV commercials around the world, the theme song in one of Virgin Atlantic's commercials being one of them.
Discography
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Albums
- 1990 – MCMXC a.D. (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 1993 – The Cross of Changes (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 1996 – Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi! (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 1998 – Trilogy (3xCD) (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 2000 – The Screen Behind the Mirror (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 2001 – Love Sensuality Devotion: The Greatest Hits (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 2001 – Love Sensuality Devotion: The Remix Collection (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 2003 – Voyageur (Virgin Records)
Singles
- 1990 – "Sadeness (Part I)" (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 1991 – "Mea Culpa (Part II)" (Virgin Records)
- 1991 – "Principles of Lust" (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
- 1991 – "The Rivers of Belief" (Virgin Records)
- 1993 – "Carly's Song" (Virgin 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" (Virgin/EMI)
- 2004 – "Boum-Boum" (Virgin Schallplatten GmbH)
Videos
Main article: List of Enigma videos
External links
- EnigmaMusic.Com (http://www.enigmamusic.com) Fan site
- SandraNet.com (http://sandranet.com/) - Fan site registered and hosted in Netherland.
- CretuWorld.de (http://www.cretuworld.de/) - Fan site hosted in Germany.de:Enigma (Musik)
bg:Enigma ja:エニグマ (ミュージシャン) nl:Enigma (band) pl:Enigma (grupa muzyczna) fi:Enigma (musiikkiprojekti)