Michael Cretu of Enigma

The legendary Ibiza studio where the three first Enigma albums were created was called the Euphonix consol studio – or simply A.R.T. (you can see pictures of it here). On the latest albums Michael has used less hardware and more software synths, resulting in the Alchemist studio (see a comprehensive presentation of it here).

Now Michael Cretu has built a new and more compact studio which is called MERLIN (picture to the right). According to Enigmaspace.com:

“Merlin is not only a mobile studio, it fits perfectly to the way I am usually working. It can be seen at the intersection between playing, recording and mixing.” Michael Cretu says.

Similar to the Alchemist, Merlin combines the four key parameters of recording in one box: a computed recording environment, a modular hardware concept, a control surface and a surround monitoring system.

In the very center of the studio is an Apple Mac Pro 8-core with an 30” Cinema display – and of course the Logic Studio software. If you are interested in all the technical details, see here.

I think that all of this is fascinating – to a certain point. As a Michael Cretu fan of almost 20 years I’m glad that Michael is doing what he does best, with the tools he needs to create magical sounds. But I know for sure that he would create magic with almost any synth – for instance his old friends, Roland JD-800 or Korg DSS-1. But new is always better, right? .

Bottomline; We now know how the studio looks like; the wait for the new Enigma album can begin.

Also see Enigmamusic.com . Picture copyright Enigmaspace.com.

EnigmaSpace is looking for creative, high quality and extraordinary work. A jury of Enigma’s management and Michael Cretu himself will choose the Top10 creations and feature them exclusively within the Fanlibrary section on www.EnigmaSpace.com. The Top3 will win a signed copy of the current “Platinum Collection” release, a compilation of Enigma’s most famous singles, remixes and unreleased tracks.

It is of course a shame that Platinum Collection didn’t get an international release at the same date. European Enigma fans have been enjoying the album since November last year…

The picture is borrowed from the great Enigmamusic Forums. You can sample the album here.

For our German speaking friends – this commercial is currently on Channel 24. The presentation is, well, a bit cheesy.

Our translation from German:
Many of you have in the recent days seen the horrific pictures from Haiti. Over 100.000 have died in this tragedy, over 100.000 have become homeless. Diseases are spreading, and there is no medical help available. This nation is now totally dependent on foreign help. I urge you all to give a donation to Haiti via the provided bank account number. Please give, and tell your friends to do the same. Even a small donation will make a big difference.

Source: The Enigma Forum

In connection with the release Enigma’s ”Best of” and ”Lost Tracks” Album, the group’s official English homepage has received a major facelift and many new features have been added (the official homepage, Enigma.de, has received the same treatment). The most important features are perhaps the media players, which naturally are filled with music and videos from Enigma’s 20 year long history. The selection of music is actually very generous, so here the fan will find both new and old favorites.

Another new feature on Enigmaspace.com is the social aspect. Over the last year, official Enigma pages have been made on MySpace, Youtube and Bebo. On Enigmaspace.com you are also welcome to leave comments, and you can download exclusive graphics made by the designers who have created “the Enigma look” on the band’s covers and videos.

But most interesting is without a doubt the exclusive view into Michael Cretu’s ALCHEMIST studio, or the All In One Computed Mobile Studio. You can read all about it here, and see pictures too!

Both the selection of hits and remixes are, needless to say, great. There are some true classics among the remixes, like Sadness Part I – Violent US Mix – which truly takes the original song’s Gregorian chants samples to a new dimension. Another favorite of mine is the last one, Dreaming of Andromeda – Jean F. Cochois Remix. There are interestingly enough no Seven Lives remixes on this disc (even though there was a very good remix competition recently – but it must be said that the “Lost track” 10 is a Je T’aime Till My Dying Day remix).

So what is there to say about The lost tracks? As a Michael Cretu fan for over 20 years – and a fan of all his most recent material too – I was surprised to learn that he, the perfectionist, was to release a demo collection. It is very much out of character. But, when listening to it, I think that it gives a nice view into his studio, showing the master at work.

The lost tracks is a collection of selected demos that probably were created for Seven Lives – but didn’t make the cut. The disc does not have an overall sound design (with an intro and ending), like his “normal” albums. The songs does not have names, only numbers. I especially like track 2, which has that enigmatic melancholy that we know so well from the past. Track nine also has a nice feel. Track four could have been included in a “normal” Enigma album, it is that good.

The lost tracks would have been a much better release if there was older “lost tracks” too – like demos from the first three-four Enigma albums. This one is very close to the “synth VST” sound. But it is not like it is meant as a complete album.

It is what it is; a collection of songs that was left over when Seven Lives was mixed.  Not a top Enigma release, true, but still a welcome gift to any Enigma fan since the first disc is a superb “best of” collection.

Sample it on Amazon.de.

Or, to quote the page; the world of Enigma evolves.

You can sample it on Facebook. Scroll down to the music player on the left (the first track is the “lost” ones).

Source: Enigmamusic.com Forum

Below is the cover. I think it looks nice – same style as last year’s Seven Lives cover.

A very informative and heartfelt discussion is right now taking place on Enigmamusic.com.

It is so nice to see real fans discuss, even though not all are happy about the new “lost” tracks. That is life I guess…

Please Note: NEW RELEASEDATE (until further notice): November 27.

Everything starts with trial and error. Sometimes it’s a sound, then a melody, a harmony or a mood. The Lost Ones are my way of instrumental drafts developed from a boiling cauldron full of unordered, naive und carefree musical ideas.

And on November 23rd it is Enya’s turn. The album “The very best of Enya” will be released on Warner music. The album will include titles from all the Warner albums with favorite songs chosen by Enya, Nicky and Roma Ryan. A special edition will contain DVD and documentary footage. This collection will not contain any new tracks though – but the Lord of the Rings song Aniron has not been on an Enya album before.

So yes, we are all getting early Christmas presents here! I am naturally most eager for the Enigma album, since it contains new material. I am also a big fan of the previous Enigma remix album (The LSD collection from 2001). A new Enya “best of” is always welcome too, since it gives new perspectives on selected songs – and Enya’s impressive discography too.

One month before the 20th anniversary, “The Platinum Collection” of ENIGMA is a look back on one of the most successful musical projects of the last years. With over 50 million records sold worldwide, more than 100 platinum and gold awards and over 50 #1 chart positions, mastermind Michael Cretu is eclipsing twenty years of a musical journey with a 3 CD-Box Set release.

While the new Enya album contains no new tracks, Enigma gives us one remix CD and an additional CD called “The Lost Ones” which delivers a never before allowed insight into the creative sound laboratory of ENIGMA. “Everything starts with trial and error.” Michael Cretu explains. “Sometimes it’s a sound, then a melody, a harmony or a mood. The “Lost Ones” are my way of instrumental drafts developed from a boiling cauldron full of unordered, naive und carefree musical ideas.” It will be released on November 20th.

See the track listing here.

It is nearly two years since the release of Seven Lives Many Faces – which has become not only a favorite among Enigma fans, but a modern classic in the new age music genre.

It is not the first nor the last time this Enigma hit will be used in such a manner.

Click the picture to see the video.

I don’t think that Michael Cretu intentionally creates new age music; he is rather like a pop artist inspired by the new age sound. Michael Cretu/Sandra’s 1980s hit Maria Magdalena is an example of this; a pop song with mystical and new ageish elements. This is also obvious on Seven Lives Many Faces; it is pop music (on iTunes Music Store it is filed under pop), but it is new age at the same time. This is what makes Enigma into such a unique band; Cretu makes pop music into new age and new age into pop music.

Seven Lives Many Faces is a two CD release; the main disc with 12 tracks, and a 5 track EP. If you buy it on iTunes Music Store you’ll also get Michael Cretu’s audio comments for each track.

The first track, Encounters, starts slowly with a female voice giving some examples of the magic number seven; Seven stars, seven days, seven seals, seven gates, seven angels and so on, ending with seven lives… after this you hear the usual synth reference to MCMXC a.D. And then the album takes off with the title song Seven Lives. The layers of synth strings and the flute playing behind are an incredible mix, truly enigmatic. The heavy hip hop beats adds a nice groove. In is a unique sound, no doubt about that, and Andru Donalds’ vocal is great as usual. I can’t decide whether I like the dog panting sample or not, but the rest of the samples – like breaking glass and running horses – are well fitting. Conclusion; a new Enigma masterpiece!

Track number three, Touchness, is laidback and the use of samples remind of Enigma songs like Modern Crusaders and T.N.T. for the Brain. But The Same Parents, song number four, are something completely different; it is a very nice pop song! It asks the question, with the voice of a child; why can’t we live together in peace? After all, we have the same parents (albeit a long time ago). The two next songs are instrumental; Fata Morgana and Hell’s Heaven. These are great tracks with a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere. They remind me of Enigma’s third album, Le Roi Est Mort, Vive le Roi!, my all time favorite CD.

La Puerta del Cielo is a powerful song with an incredible vocal. The lyrics is in Catalan. It is 3min28sec of pure perfection. Yet another masterpiece! The two next tracks are also non typical Enigma songs. On the previous 6 albums, love and sensuality have always been in focus, but in a different way. This time around Enigma is unsure of love; “Do you love me?” the voice asks – while the “old Enigma” always had plenty of love and satisfaction; just compare the new track Distorted Love with The Principles of Lust from MCMXC a.D. and you’ll know what I mean.

Track no. 10, Déjà vu, is a short but beautiful song. This is a present from Cretu to all fans of Le Roi Est Mort, Vive le Roi! Here he uses plenty of samples from this album. The track also has a nice Asiatic touch. It is, as Michel says in the interview included in the iTunes version, like a déjà vu for all fans of Le Roi Est Mort, Vive le Roi! You have heard it before – and still you haven’t heard it.

The last two tracks, Between Generations and The Language of Sound, have a relaxing downbeat groove. I especially like the ethnical samples, and the synthscapes are also nice. At the very end you can hear a distant heartbeat.

The five track long EP is a nice addition to the album. The first and third track, Superficial and Downtown Silence, continues the style of Seven Lives; with a heavy beat that reminds of hip hop, but at the same time there is a mystical element. We Are Nature is also a very nice track. Cretu tells us that humans are not above nature – we are nature. My favorite track on the EP is Sunrise. The rhythm is very creative, like a ever-changing drum. It is chill out at its best. The last track, the new version of The Language of Sound, has a little more reverb and a fuller sound than the track on the main disc.

Seven Lives Many Faces is hands down the best Enigma album since Le Roi Est Mort, Vive le Roi! The sound is original, if not unique, and the songs Seven Lives and La Puerta del Cielo are instant Enigma classics. Michale Cretu has given the fans what they wanted and at the same time breathed new life into the project – and that is a major accomplishment.

Score: Superb

2008 has been a miserable year for the music business as a whole, but a great year for a niche genre like new age. The internet has made it easy to release music without the backing of a label, and in 2008 we have seen some truly amazing new artists. Many small indie labels are also doing well. It is possible that the internet-based music economy will revive a genre like new age.

Still, the major label artists have a great impact, and they too have contributed with incredible albums. 2008 has been a year where both the established artists and the newcomers tried entirely news sounds and beats, expanding the genre and giving it more prestige. Mike Oldfield recorded with the world-renowned pianist Lang Lang and a complete symphony orchestra, while Enigma surprised their millions of fans with unusual hip hop beats. And Jillian Goldin came out of nothing and showed us what new age is really all about.

Below is NewAgeMusic.nu’s top 10 list of 2008. As always it is hard to make lists. Some great albums may have been forgotten, but to my defense I can say that all albums mentioned here are incredible. If you are looking for a fresh new age album, you can’t go wrong with any of them. It is simply great music.

1. Jillian Goldin: Origins

At the very top of this year’s best of list is debut artist Jillian Goldin, who in April released Origins. Her incredible voice, the quality production and her love and understanding for the genre made this into an unforgettable album. On top of this are the album’s beautiful, emotional melodies. If you don’t believe me, you should sample the tracks Hajime or The Winds of Change. They are fantastic beyond words. And, like any serious new age artist, Goldin is also productive. In November she released a beautiful Christmas EP entitled Through Sand and Snow. I am certain that she in the future will give us a lot of great music. A big applause for Jillian!

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

2. Deep Project: Deep Brasil

Deep Forest is one of this genre’s most popular and influential artists. Their last album was Music.Detected_ from 2002, and they will probably not release anything for a long time. But one of the group’s members, Eric Mouquet, launched this year Deep Projects, which will release four Deep Forest styled albums. Deep Brasil is the first one (the others are Africa, China and Sky). And wow, what an incredible album! All Deep Forest fans will feel right at home. This is like an updated version of Sweet Lullaby, with many new elements as well. Flavio Dell Isola and Michel Villain’s vocals give the album a world music feel. And this is only the beginning: we have three more albums to look forward to!

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

3. Mike Oldfield: Music of the Spheres

First I must say that Music of the Spheres is in many respects in a class of its own. With pianist Lang Lang, soprano Hayley Westenra and the complete Euskadiko Orkestra Sinfonikoa, the scene at Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao was set for the performance of Music of the Spheres, the first classical album by Mike Oldfield. It is a beautiful and powerful piece of music, and a sign that Mike still has it. The reason Music of the Spheres is not on the top of this list, is that Mike has created several better albums before, like Tubular Bells, Ommadawn and Amarok. Still, it is an impressive effort. I hope that Mike will do more classical music in the future.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

4. Enigma: Seven Lives Many Faces

Enigma’s seventh album entitled Seven Lives Many Faces was, as mentioned above, a big surprise to their fans. Hip hops beats have not usually been a part of a new age music soundscape. But perhaps this will change now with hit singles like La Puerta Del Cielo and Seven Lives? Michael Cretu is always looking for new samples, loops and sounds. This time he succeeded in creating something entirely new, and breathed new life into the Enigma project as well. The album also has a great EP with songs that didn’t make the cut.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

5. Medwyn Goodall: Amun Ra

Amun Ra is Medwyn Goodall’s first Egypt album. It has a fresh, warm sound and an epic theme. Goodall’s use of exotic instruments are both interesting and creative. When listening to the album you feel like you are in front of a pyramid, and the desert is all around you. There are not many Egypt themed new age albums on the market (one by Diane Arkenstone and one by Phil Thornton & Hossam Ramzy). Hopefully there will be more Egypt albums soon, and Goodall has with Amun Ra shown the way through the desert. A brilliant album!

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

6. Marc Enfroy: Unbounded

Unbounded is a Cinematic Piano album by debut artist Marc Enfroy. It is a collection of gentle piano melodies with orchestral arrangements, and all of the album’s 12 songs are rich with feelings and emotions. It is a very promising debut. Powerful and beautiful at the same time.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

7. David Arkenstone: Echoes of Light and Shadow

Echoes of Light and Shadow is one of David Arkenstone’s most personal albums. From the black/white photograph of the artist on the cover to the gentle melodies, is has a personal touch that is rare in this genre. Several songs on this album will in time perhaps be considered classics, like the positive Lightdance and the emotional Secret on the moors. Arkenstone also released an interesting Christmas album this year with a fresh lounge sound.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

8. Al Conti: Scheherazade

Scheherazade has taken the new age music scene with storm. Al Conti’s third album has been on top of the internet radio play lists for several months now, and the success will probably continue because it is an incredible, epic album. The story of Scheherazade comes from the One Thousand And One Arabian Nights. It is an unforgettable voyage in time and space.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

9. Kindred: Kevin Wood

Kindred is a relaxing, uplifting and somewhat different album. It is Kevin Wood’s third release. Kindred has an interesting ethnic approach, but the sound is much like Wood’s previous albums. He uses rich synth pads, a beat box like drum and additional layers of piano, strings and vocals. This is music with a message: we all have a lot in common, regardless of race, ethnicity and religion. Yes, we are all kindred. Yet another beautiful album from Kevin Wood! Perfection at every level.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

10. Kevin Kendle: Light From The Pleiades

Kevin Kendle’s Light From The Pleiades is the third installment it the popular Deep Skies series. This is ambient electronica at its very best. There is this incredible feeling of distance and weightlessness in Kendle’s space music. My favorite track is the last one, Celaeno, which has a beautiful ambient melody. The sound of retro synths and powerful pads make Light From The Pleiades to one of the finest albums in the space music genre ever.

Go to the artist’s homepage for music samples.

And now 2009 is here! I am sure some truly great music will be released this year too. Stay tuned!

Photo copyright BigStockPhoto