Created by EnigmaMusic.com

2001

The vocals in "Turn Around" where described as " Modern" , they are processed though a vocoder for the duration of the song. The use of vocoder is not new to the music of Michael Cretu although the context was as varied as the moods and trends of popular music. In 1981 Michael Cretu was credited for vocoder only on the album "Showbiz" by "Chilly" ; ( Issued on CD in Russia Federation only on Healley Disc,04201-2, 1997 ) although indications show that his involvement on that album was further.

In 1983 the overture track on the album "Legionnaires" also features vocoder vocals. In both instances, "Legionnaire" and "Turn Around", the context is extraterrestrial venture. "Legionnaires" was an album with a consistent theme of space and science-fiction."Turn Around", ( Virgin 89790009 ) on the other hand, has more of an obscure ideal context. The lyrics seems to sum up a number of themes from previous Enigma albums: self reflection, the cyclical nature of time, and the strife for life all threaded through a slew of Enigma song titles. The video clip for the song features a revolving head viewed from atop, as the mouth utters the lyrics. The head has kinship to the Globe, viewed from the North Pole. The video clip does show the planet earth as well. The voice, machine like and lifeless - in the humanly sense of vocal intonations-is surprisingly expressive and hopeful. Laced with a processed variety of Sandra's voice, the collective sense that the vocals project is that of innocence and continuity. When asked why the name "LSD", Michael Cretu sited the triplet as the constituents of happiness, and just as addictive. Enigma, a concept that is yet far from conclusion, continues to sail a rainbow of emotions, place, and time. The journey will ever be propelled into the un-known, a burst of optimism.

Turn Around is the only new material in Enigma's first greatest hits offering, and 18 track CD. Arranged with new cross fades and non chronologically the songs are presented in a fresh context that is aimed at dissolving the barriers of time that may mark a 10-year old project. Unlike a traditional greatest hits record "LSD" (Virgin 81106020 ) could technically sound like a new album to the uninitiated. To this release specifically the message is clearer than ever that Enigma defies placement anywhere along the turbulent spectrum of musical trends.

The record of Sandra's career has indicated that no one has understood the artistic persona most suitable for Sandra Sandra as did Michael Cretu. Between 1978and 1984 Sandra had a entire career as a disco singer with the female group Arabesque. The arrangements were elaborate, the costumes created and fashionable and the melodies cheerful and joyous. However, the presence of Sandra, then also a lead singer for the most part, was diluted in the trio. In 1985 when Maria Magdalena spread across Europe, setting dance floors ablaze, it was by word of mouth rather than corporate promotion. The layering of Cretu's electronically symphonic production over Sandra's innocent voice with all of the drama of the disco era and the sophistication of the 80's technology granted the song the force to self-propel.

Michael Cretu, Hubert Kemler, and for awhile Armand Volker repeated what became a safe formula for about an album and a half. With "Into a Secret Land" in 1988 had an established persona and career. It was not until 1995 and the release of "Fading Shades" that fans and observers would realize how would a Sandra album sound when Cretu was less involved. The team was just as qualified except that Cretu was only a producer this time. Some had already recognized a change of style with the un-fortunate end of the collaboration between Kemler and Cretu in 1989. But Cretu's continued presence both as a "song writer" and "producer" saved the day till 1995. Sandra is releasing a new album in 2002. No material was yet made available for review except what allowed a brief description on the "official" Virgin Germany web site. The message remains hazy on what to expect. One single was released in 2001, "Forever" ( Virgin 89794120 ). Peter Reis - who was a backing vocalist for Sandra in the 1980's - and Wolfgang Filz - first to appear credited for the Techno Mix of "I need Love" in 1992 - wrote the song. The song is a ballad, and unusual choice of styles for a long awaited return of Sandra. Although the maxi single contains a up-tempo edit, a longer version thereof, and the trendy"Club Mix", the song is still a ballad.
With Cretu's long history in disco music, he probably would agree that a good dance record is more than a speeded up ballad. And so, the noteworthy track in the release remains the "Radio Edit". Transparent, sensitive, dreamy and optimistic in the perfect character of a Sandra song, "Forever" is a beautiful song. It is the choice to release "Forever" as Sandra's long awaited return to music performance that placed the song at a dis-advantage.

Michael Cretu ~ "I wanted to breathe new life into some of those older songs."

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Written and researched By Taha A. Al-Douri
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