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Location : Madrid, Spain Time : July 1999 "Simple Obsession" is what Andru Donalds considers his music. It also happens to be the title of his new single. Taken from the excellent Michael Cretu ( ENIGMA ) produced album, "Snowing Under My Skin" and is the second release following the first hit single, "All Out Of Love". The new single is one of the many standout songs featured on his current album. Michael Cretu, the genius behind the chart topping project ENGIMA, has carefully crafted an outstanding mix of world pop songs and ballads. Cretu asked to audition Andru for the forthcoming E4 project after hearing a single release, "Mishale" while vacationing in Greece in 1998. Andru explains, "At first I was surprised by the phone call, but then I thought, why not". He added "The idea for the new album came from the chemistry Michael and myself felt after the auditions for the Enigma project. It was a natural progression for us to work together". Production of the E4 project was halted for a six to seven week period during March/April 1999, while Donalds, Cretu and Jens Gad went to work writing and producing the album. Although Andru is originally from the Caribbean Island of Jamaica, his travels have taken him all over the world. His father, a professor of Theology and Psychology, introduced him to travel at a young age, taking him to Atlanta GA, London UK, and New York City NY. These extensive travels have taken him to many cities around the world. While in London artist such as Seal and Terrance Trent D'arby impressed upon Andru immensely. Andru also added, "You can have many different views in many different areas of music in England and the US. Different cities offer different perspectives on music. England has produced some of the best rock groups ever, such as The Beatles. The US has produced some of the best gospel and soul singers. I have learned a lot about the diversity of music from both countries." While still living in Jamaica, Andru witnessed 2 great events that he classes as historical for him "One was where I was witness to Winnie and Nelson Mandela on a visit, and the other was going to see Prince perform in 1994 at the Sunrise Musical Theater." From an early age Andru loved the The Beatles. His father played their music invariably, admitting there are too many favorites to mention, but "Hey Jude and Let It Be" stand out in the forefront. Reggae and rhythm master Sly Dunbar is also one of his favorites. He met Sly Dunbar through Michael Rose of Black Uhuru. "He is the complete master of the groove." Andru Donalds first album was released in 1994 simply called "Andru Donalds". This album actualized the hit single "Mishale." This song is followed on the album by "My Sensual Love." These two standout tracks have an "island feel" to them I commented and Andru explained that , "My Sensual Love and Mishale were both written with my first producer Eric Foster White ( Whitney Houston, Hi Five, Brittany Spears ) while in Florida. Mishale, a true story, was written about a personal relationship." "Damned If I Don't", Andru's second album was released in 1998. According to Andru this album was different than the first for various reasons. "It was more like a live recording than in the studio with a band." He added, "The lack of sales were due to the limited release of the record because of the many political problems surrounding this album." Shortly after this release he got a call from Cretu asking him to come to Ibiza to audition for the E4 project. He was no stranger to Cretu's musical talent as Andru had heard "Sadeness" in Jamaica back in 1990 and thought it was great pop music. During this time at the auditions, Andru adapted to Cretu very well explaining, "We both have similar taste in music. Though his style is a little different from mine, it fits together perfectly to create a new sound. When the chemistry is good it makes it easier to adapt as music is music." Visiting the island of Ibiza left an enormous impression on Andru. Although he came from an island himself, the environment was quite different on Ibiza. "The scenery was beautiful and the mood relaxing even though most of my seven to eight week stay was spent in seclusion working on the music." Andru feels that "musically, mentally, and psychologically I have learned a lot and become wiser, even though I am proud of my first two recordings, I feel vocally I have become a lot stronger working with Michael." Jens Gad, Cretu's partner on previous Enigma/Sandra and TAAW albums is not often mentioned, but he is still a great influence on the album. Andru went to great lengths to credit Jens for putting his heart and energy into this album on the sleeve notes. He also added, "Jens is a brilliant talent and I enjoyed working with him as well." Jens co-wrote two songs on the album with Andru, "Holding On To You, and Waiting For The Hurricane." The latter could be another single released in the future. The album is a smorgasbord of songs ranging from the Cretu written "Love Light In Your Eyes" to the cover version of the Aerosmith song, "Dream On" which is a staunch song on many US rock stations. For "Love Light In Your Eyes" Michael brought in the chorus with Andru, naturally developing the singing and the song developed from there. "Dream On" is a song that really compliments his powerful voice. He explains why he choose this song for the album, " For me, this was one of the best Steven Tyler performances and the song is brilliant. I wanted to sing this song over and put my own touches on it". His favorite track from the album without doubt is "Snowin' Under My Skin". He explained enthusiastically, "This is a special track because it touches every aspect of me. My voice shows power, tenderness, grit, and emotion. The music goes through many different areas, ballad, rock, and the middle basically cover the whole record in one song." "There were many ideas which were thrown away before they even became songs, and this album was developed at a fast pace and we didn't waste time trying to make them good." Andru also noted that "One track we recorded, but did not use was the old Guess Who song "American Woman" which was then done by Lenny Kravitz, so we decided not to include this one." The Kravitz version ended up on the 2nd Austin Powers movie soundtrack, "The Spy Who Shagged Me." Thinking about the future, Andru added, " I will try to get better and better at taking music to people live. Bringing rock, reggae, soul, and all types of music together live on stage and tour, tour, tour, and tour are my goals. My future could go in many different directions, but if I didn't work with Cretu I don't know what I would be doing. This is as good as it gets in respect to music with the production, arrangement, and writing. If the chemistry is good, it is good. I would like to keep a good thing going for awhile until you can take another journey in your life." I am sure Andru Donalds will put a large smile on many people's faces with the release of his new album, and future work with ENIGMA. Truly a talent that should be heard around the world. Andru is " Hopeful this might be possible with talk of an upcoming tour, if everything works out, for October / November throughout Europe, Japan, and South America." One thing is for sure though, the place he will be is in his hometown in Jamaica for New Years Eve 1999. EngimaMusic.com wishes him great success in the future and many thanks for taking the time to talk with us. CREDITS Many thanks to Virgin Germany for arranging the interview. Thank you to Dianna Brogan for the assitance and layout. Thanks to Stefan Lehmann for some questions No re-productions of this interview without permission by EnigmaMusic.com and Martyn Woolley |
: August 1, 2000