LSD: Love, Sensuality and Devotion - The Remix Collection

1	Turn Around Northern Lights Club Mix 10:28
2	Age of Loneliness Enigmatic Club Mix 6:15
3	Push the Limits ATB Remix 7:51
4	Gravity of Love Judgement Day Club Mix 5:59
5	Return to Innocence 380 Midnight Mix 5:42
6	Sadeness, Pt. 1 Violent U.S. Remix 4:43
7	Principles of Lust Everlasting Lust Mix 4:55
8	Mea Culpa Fading Shades Mix 6:04
9	T.N.T. For the Brain Midnight Man Mix 5:56

Barnes & Noble

According to enigmatic German musical alchemist Michael Cretu, this trippy, 18-track compilation completes a cycle that spans his decade-long recording career as Enigma. Included are the ultrasensual "Mea Culpa" and "Sadeness Part 1," from his 1991 breakthrough release, MCMXC A.D., and "Return to Innocence" from 1994's The Cross of Changes, as well as one new song, "Turn Around." What lured so many listeners to that first album was an irresistible mix of sensual dance beats, sexy "mea culpa" vocals (from his wife, Sandra), and libido-wrestling Gregorian chants. This potent concoction prompted intimate rendezvous, uproars from the pulpit, lawsuits, and, ironically, a resurgence of interest in pure chant recordings. Those who treasure Enigma's first album will not be disappointed with what Cretu has assembled here. A sensuous 4/4 cadence throbs throughout, the pieces are well blended, and the spirit of the chant lingers throughout. The other half of the Enigma story, however, is Cretu's own vocals -- as clear and soaring as those of Yes's Jon Anderson -- which crop up on several tracks. Staying true to his enigmatic nature, Cretu won't explain his pieces, nor will he include lyrics. What's live? What's sampled? Decoding it all is part of the fun. On "Gravity of Love" from 2000's The Screen Behind the Mirror, Cretu swipes choral explosions from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana but then muffles them so they sound like a crowd outside the castle walls. Most intentional lyrics and spoken exhortations, however, are in English, so careful listening is rewarded. Since Enigma's emergence, world-dance fusions have become all the rage, but Cretu has maintained his vision and distinctive edge. "Turn Around," which he created for this compilation, samples flavors from his four albums, but the electronic filtering of the vocals perhaps signals an elusive new direction that is Enigma. Carol Wright

All Music Guide

LSD: Love, Sensuality and Devotion gathers over a decade's worth of Enigma's definitive tracks, including the song that started it all, "Sadeness, Pt. 1." "Return to Innocence," "Beyond the Invisible," and "Cross of Changes" are all featured as well, and though the collection ranges from the rock-tinged "I'll Love You...I'll Kill You" to atmospheric, electronic fare like "Shadows in Silence," since it's all essentially Michael Crétu's vision, it flows surprisingly well. Since Enigma's sound has varied fairly drastically over the years, LSD: Love, Sensuality and Devotion is the perfect starting point for anyone curious about Crétu's music, and the only Enigma album that casual fans might need. [A 2001 remix version is also available.] Heather Phares