It’s been just over three years since we last heard the superb Enigma 4: The Screen Behind The Mirror, and now Michael Cretu has returned with another fine piece of work.
For fans of Enigma it’s a fairly long wait between albums, but it is always worth the wait and with Enigma 5: Voyageur, Michael Cretu has taken the now famous Enigma sound that step further.
Enigma 5: Voyageur still carries that Enigma sound throughout the album but with a new lease of life, to me this album is still the same but very different, it’s hard to explain, but, it’s very technical sounding with the metaphysical sounds of the other albums drawn to a close.
A lot of the previous albums are here, with vocals, FX and now famous chords like the Enigma anthem from the other four albums. But Michael Cretu has made this album a complete joy to listen to, it’s not overpowering, it’s wild in parts, but it’s still relaxing at the same time.
So of enough of the banter what about the tracks themselves:
1.
From East To West A gorgeous piano open with the chords from MCMXC a.D. which lead into a revered drums and a kind of synched flute with the piano carrying the track from start to finish.
2. Voyager This is the title track of Enigma 5, reversed choir with an acoustic guitar builds into a rather vocal track with plenty of V-coding leading to the haunting French lyrics.
3. Incognito A sampled voice starts this track which is quite strange at first and then in true Enigma style the mail vocals arrive in the background, some great guitar work and synths plus some cool FX, upon the break the vocals are reversed with speech from MCMXC a.D. and then the track starts to build again.
4. Page Of Cups Starts with calming sounds of wildlife with the synths etc, slowing coming in, upon the wildlife fading out, the chords and percussion comes in to take over with ease, plenty of V-coding on vocals, a track that you can really relax too.
5. Boum-Boum Quite a slow track to start with some V-coded speech at the beginning leading into the superb vocals by Ruth-Ann, with a chorus of V-coded vocals that work without flaw.
6. Total Eclipse Of The Moon This track has a gorgeous orchestral sound with those Enigma male vocals that we Enigma fans have come to love.
7. Look Of Today A very up to date track that really shows that the album was recorded in Ibiza, yet more V-Coded lyrics with conventional lyrics.
8. In The Shadow, In The Light Another calming track that is very similar to some of the vocal tracks from Enigma 2: The Cross Of Changes. Calming, relaxing and a joy to listen to.
9. Weightless A short track with some fantastic vocals.
10. The Piano I’d say that this is one of my favorite tracks from Enigma 5, the piano is joined by some gorgeous synths and the percussion is not obtrusive to the whole track.
11. Following The Sun Following The Sun is currently voted as the favorite track (enigmamusic.com) from Enigma 5 and I would have to agree, it’s quite similar to Return to Innocence from Enigma 2: The Cross Of Changes, but with some haunting, wonderful vocals that bring Enigma 5 to a close.
As with all the Enigma albums they are not to everyone’s taste but, if like me you have been a fan since the first album released 13 years ago, then you’ll love this one.
So overall I would recommend Enigma 5: Voyageur, if you’ve not heard any tracks by Enigma, then where have you been, you must always listen to Enigma with an open, free mind, don’t expect the usual mundane sounds of pop etc, because your not going to get it.
Instead you get a work of art that needs to be appreciated and listened to, not just played and the more you listen to it the more you appreciate the art that is Enigma.
A brief Enigma history
Albums:
MCMXC a.D. / 03.12.90 The Cross Of Changes / 08.02.94 The Cross Of Changes - (Special Edition) / 21.11.94 Voyageur / 08.09.03 LSD Greatest Hits / 08.10.01 LSD Remix / 08.10.01 Remember The Future / 17.01.00 The Screen Behind The Mirror / 13.12.99 Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi! / 25.11.96
CD Singles:
Sadness Part 1 / 1990 Mea Culpa Part 2 / 1991 Principles Of Lust /1991 Rivers Of Belief / 1991 Carly’s Song / 1993 Return To Innocence / 1993 The Eyes Of Truth / 1994 Age Of Loneliness / 1994 Out From The Deep / 1994 Beyond The Invisible / 1996 T.N.T. For The Brain / 1997 Gravity Of Love / 1999 Push The Limits / 2000 Turn Around / 2001 Voyageur / 2003
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