..:: audio-music dot info ::..


Main Page    The Desert Island    Copyright Notice
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz


Enigma: MCMXC a.D

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s

Artist: Enigma
Title: MCMXC a.D
Released: 1991
Label: Virgin Records
Time: 60:29
Producer(s): Michael Cretu
Appears with: Michael Cretu
Category: Pop/Rock
Rating: *********. (9/10)
Media type: CD
Purchase date:  1995
Price in €: 14,99
Web address: www.enigma.de

 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Voice of Enigma (Curly M.C.) - 2:21
[2] Principles of Lust: Sadeness/Find... (Curly M.C./Fairstein/Gregorian) - 11:43
[3] Callas Went Away (Curly M.C.) - 4:27
[4] Mea Culpa (Curly M.C./Fairstein) - 5:03
[5] Voice & The Snake (Curly M.C./Gregorian) - 1:39
[6] Knocking on Forbidden Doors (Curly M.C.) - 4:31
[7] Back to the Rivers of Belief: Way to... (Curly M.C./Fairstein) - 10:32

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Curly M.C. aka Michael Cretu - Vocals, All Instruments

David Fairstein - Vocals
F. Gregorian - Vocals

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


Driven by the Gregorian chants of the hit single "Sadeness Part I," Enigma's debut album is an interesting fusion of new age sensibilities and dancefloor rhythms.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All-Music Guide



Imagine if monks had spent more time working on new ways to groove instead of just copying books, inventing pretzels and playing with peas. Well, this German team has, and the result is MCMXC a.D. (1990 for us non-Romans). From the opening introduction called "The Voice Of Enigma"-which takes you into the world of music, spirit and meditation as it promises-to "The Rivers Of Belief," Enigma lets the rhythm be the eternal force behind its mystery. Gregorian chants and mostly French spoken-word provide ancient accompaniment to the modern Soul II Soullike beats, keyboard sounds and experimental wizardry. Follow the opening instructions, close your eyes and let the rhythm take your body and soul into other worldy dimensions-one that glows by candlelight, one with a spiritual warmth, one that floats through the clouds and cleanses your subconscious mind-for a dance/new age hybrid that's worlds beyond the realm of what we have experienced. Put on "Sadeness," an homage to 18th century French libertine Marquis de Sade, "Mea Culpa," "Knocking On Forbidden Doors" or "The Rivers Of Belief" and prepare for the Reformation of dance music beyond its Dark Ages of unimaginative sampling.

CMJ New Music Report, © 1978-1999 College Media Inc. All rights reserved.



So much unnecessary fuss was made over Enigma's juxtaposition of the sexual and sacred. After all, Prince had been doing it for years, and his take on it was far more interesting - and a lot more daring. But Enigma's MCMXC A.D. did manage to work a lot of people into a lather, both on the dance floor and behind the pulpit. Their inclusion of chanting monks in "Sadeness," over wooshy ambient noises and a slower hip-hop-appropriated beat was a sensation. "Callas Went Away" promised more than it could deliver, although "Mea Culpa" stands as one of the few shining moments on the CD. The idea of mixing new age aural wallpaper with beats that you can do a slow grind to is actually rather intriguing. Spicing it up with controversial religious chants isn't a bad idea either. But there's got to be something personal to it. After the initial novelty wears off, there's nothing to MCMXC A.D. other than bland, cold, impersonal repetition. Now, that might be what most people are used to, but what's so sexy about it?

Steve Gdula - Amazon.com



Als Top-Produzent Michael Cretu, gebürtiger Rumäne, Wahl-Münchner und seit den späten 80er Jahren Bewohner der Lifestyle-Insel Ibiza, 1990 ankündigte, er würde ein Projekt namens Enigma starten, das eine Symbiose aus Dance-Beats, Mystik und mittelalterlichen Klängen anstrebt, hielt ihn die Medienwelt für verrückt. Cretu zog seine Sache dennoch durch -- und landete mit MCMXC a. D. den größten Erfolg in seiner von Erfolgen nicht eben ungepflasterten Erfolgsstraße, er schlug satte 12 Millionen Kopien von dem Debütalbum los. Schließlich ist Cretu unter anderem Produzent seiner Ehefrau Sandra, die ihre Machwerke ebenfalls millionenfach unter die Leute gebracht hat. Ebendiese Sandra ist es auch, die Enigma ihre (Pieps-)Stimme leiht -- und obwohl die Sache dadurch klingt wie Mittelalter meets Micky Maus, hat der Ambient-mäßige Sound, perfekt von Cretu in Szene gesetzt, irgendwie seinen Reiz. MMCMXC a. D. ist, um es auf den Punkt zu bringen, die anständig gemachte musikalische Umsetzung von Umberto Ecos Bestseller Der Name der Rose, transferiert ins Ambient-Techno-Zeitalter.

Michael Fuchs-Gamböck - Amazon.de



Die Disco als vorweihnachtliche Weihestätte? Enigmas Sadeness - Part One machte es möglich, indem Sandra-Produzent Michael Cretu gregorianische Choräle und französisch verbrämtes Liebesgestöhn mit dumpfen Dancebeats à la Soul II Soul mixte. Das Album spinnt diesen Konzept nun 40 Minuten weiter, fügt Vogelzwitschern, esoterische Synthesizer-Gespinste und immer wieder Sandra dazu. Mit Mea Culpa ist da noch ein Hit drin. Nichts, das man alle Tage hören wollte, aber als Kur für gestreßte Gemüter brauchbar.

© Audio



Michael Crétu's attempt at fusing everything from easy listening sex music and hip-hop rhythms to centuries-old Gregorian chants couldn't have been more designed to tweak the nose of high art, a joyously crass stab straight at a mainstream, do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars. The result is something that shouldn't exist, but in its own way results in as much of a cultural scramble and explosion as anything Public Enemy were doing around the same time, crossing over the Euro-disco and new age spheres with style. Credit Crétu for an open ear for whatever works, which is precisely why "Sadeness," the first part of a longer track called "Principles of Lust," turned into a fluke worldwide hit. Snippets of monks invoking the Almighty effortlessly glide in and out of a polite but still strong breakbeat, shimmering, atmospheric synth and flute lines and a Frenchwoman whispering in a way that sounds distinctly more carnal than spiritual (as her gasps for breath elsewhere make clear). Guitar and male vocals add to the album version's try-anything-that-works approach, as do attempts at shuffling jazz beats and horns. If nothing quite equals that prime moment elsewhere on the album, MCMXC A.D. still trips out on the possibilities as it can, right from the opening "Voice of Enigma," inviting all listeners to sit back, relax, and take a gentle trip. Crétu certainly isn't trying to hide anything -- "Callas Went Away" goes right ahead and adds a sample of Maria Callas herself to the chirping birds and soft beats, while elsewhere the flutes, beats, monks, and French voices merrily go about their glossy business. About the only thing missing is the kitchen sink, making the entire album the "MacArthur Park" of its day.

Ned Raggett - All Music Guide


Imagine if monks had spent more time working on new ways to groove instead of just copying books, inventing pretzels and playing with peas. Well, this German team has, and the result is MCMXC a.D. (1990 for us non-Romans). From the opening introduction called "The Voice Of Enigma"-which takes you into the world of music, spirit and meditation as it promises-to "The Rivers Of Belief," Enigma lets the rhythm be the eternal force behind its mystery. Gregorian chants and mostly French spoken-word provide ancient accompaniment to the modern Soul II Soullike beats, keyboard sounds and experimental wizardry. Follow the opening instructions, close your eyes and let the rhythm take your body and soul into other worldy dimensions-one that glows by candlelight, one with a spiritual warmth, one that floats through the clouds and cleanses your subconscious mind-for a dance/new age hybrid that's worlds beyond the realm of what we have experienced. Put on "Sadeness," an homage to 18th century French libertine Marquis de Sade, "Mea Culpa," "Knocking On Forbidden Doors" or "The Rivers Of Belief" and prepare for the Reformation of dance music beyond its Dark Ages of unimaginative sampling.

CMJ.com
  

 L y r i c s


THE VOICE OF ENIGMA

Good evening
This is the voice of Enigma.

In the next hour
We will take you with us
Into another world,
Into the world of music,
Spirit and meditation.

Turn off the light,
Take a deep breath
And relax.

Start to move slowly,
Very slowly.
Let the rhythm be your
Guiding light


SADNESS PART 1

Original

Procedamus in pace
In nomine Christi, Amen.

Cum angelis et pueris,
fideles inveniamur.

Attollite portas, principes, vestras
et elevamini, portae aeternales
et introibit rex gloriae
Qius est iste Rex glorie?

Sade dit moi
Sade donne moi.

Procedamus in pace
In nomine Christi, Amen.

Sade dit moi
qu'est ce que tu vas chercher?
le bien par le mal
la vertu par le vice
Sade dit moi pourquoi l' 'evangile du mal?
quelle est ta religion ou` sont tes fide`les?
Si tu es contre Dieu, tu es contre l'homme.

Sade dit moi pourquoi le sang pour le plaisir?
Le plaisir sans l'amour.
N'y a t'il plus de sentiment dans le culte de l'homme?

Sade es-tu diabolique ou divin?

Sade dit moi
Hosanna
Sade donne moi
Hosanna
Sade dit moi
Hosanna
Sade donne moi
Hosanna.

In nomine Christi, Amen.

English Translation

Let us go forth in peace
In the name of Christ, So be it.

We shall find the faithful in the
Company of angels and children.

Lift up ye heads o ye glorious gates,
and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors,
and the king of glory shall come in.
Who is the king of glory?

Sade tell me
Sade give me.

Shall we proceed in peace
In the name of Christ, Amen.

Sade tell me
what is it that you seek?
The rightness of wrong
The virtue of vice
Sade tell me why the Gospel of evil?
What is your religion? Where are your faithful?
If you are against God, you are against man.

Sade tell me why blood for pleasure?
Pleasure without love?
Is there no longer any feeling in man's Faith?

Sade are you diabolical or divine?

Sade tell me
Hosanna
Sade give me
Hosanna
Sade tell me
Hosanna
Sade give me
Hosanna.

In the name of Christ, Amen.


FIND LOVE

The principles of lust
Are easy to understand
Do what you feel
Feel until the end.

The principles of lust
Are burned in your mind
Do what you want
Do it until you find
Love...


SADNESS (REPRISE)

[in reverse mode]

Cum angelis et pueris, fideles inveniamur.

Sade dit moi
Sade donnes moi
Sade dit moi.

Hosanna
Sade donnes moi
Hosanna.


CALLAS WENT AWAY

Callas went away
But her voice forever stay
Callas went away
She went away.

Ah! je les relis sans cesse     < Ah! I read them constantly >
Je devais les detruire          < I ought to destroy them >
Ces lettres! Ces lettres!       < These letters! These letters! >

God bless you.


MEA CULPA

Original

Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison.

Je ne dors plus
(The time has come).

Je te desire
(The time has come).

Prends moi
Je suis a toi
Mea culpa.

Je veux aller au bout de me fantasmes
Je sais que c'est interdit
Je suis folle. Je m'abandonne.

Mea culpa
Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison.

Je suis la et ailleurs
Je n'ai plus rien
Je deviens folle
Je m'abandonne.

Mea culpa.

Je ne dors plus
Je te desire
Prends moi
Je suis a toi.

Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison.

Je suis la et ailleurs
Je veux tout
Quand tu veux
Comme tu veux.

Mea culpa
Kyrie eleison Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy.

English Translation:

I can't sleep anymore
(The time hascome).

I desire you
(The time has come).

Take me
I'm yours
I'm guilty.

I want to go to the end of my fantasies
I know it is forbidden
I am crazy. I am letting myself go.

I'm guilty
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy.

I am here and somewhere else
I have nothing more
I am becoming crazy
I am letting myself go.

I'm guilty.

I can't sleep anymore
I desire you
Take me
I'm yours.

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy.

I am here and somewhere else
I want everything,
When you want,
As you like.

I'm guilty
Lord have mercy.


THE VOICE & THE SNAKE

The first bowl on the earth
The second bowl on the sea
The third bowl on the rivers
The fourth bowl on the sun
The fifth bowl on the beast
The sixth bowl on the stars
The seventh bowl on the air.

And the earth turned grey
Sea turned black
The rivers turned red
The sun turned cold
The beast turned pale
The stars turned fast
The air turned to poison.


KNOCKING ON FORBIDDEN DOORS

Original

Eia, ergo, advocata nostra,
Illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui.

English Translation

Hurray, therefore, our advocate,
Turn those, your merciful eyes, toward us.
And Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb.


WAY TO ETERNITY

Original

...Quem quaerimus adjutorem, nisi te, Domine...
Sancte Deus, Sancte fortis, Sancte
Misericors Salvator, amarae morti ne tradas nos.

English Translation

...We search the helper, if not you, Lord...
Divine God, Sacred Firm, Holy and merciful
Savior, don't hand us conscientiously over to the bitter death.


THE LIGHT (HALLELUJAH)

Turn off the light,
Take a deep breath
And relax.
Turn off the light,
Relax.
Take a deep breath,
Relax.


THE RIVERS OF BELIEF

Take me back to the rivers of belief
Take me back to the rivers of belief
My friend.

I look inside my heart
I look inside my soul
I promise you
I will return.

And when the Lamb
opened the seventh seal
silence covered the sky.

Take me back to the rivers of belief
Take me back to the rivers of belief
my friend.

I look inside my heart
I look inside my soul
I'm reaching out for you
Lets hope one day
We'll rest in peace on my rivers of belief.

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


Currently no Samples available!