Enigma - The Screen Behind The Mirror

[Russell]

Enigma – The Screen Behind The Mirror
Virgin 2000 DGVIR100
By Russell Garwood

“Screen Behind The Mirror”, Enigma’s fourth LP, marks a slight change in direction for the group. With several new members the line-up is now:
Sandra Cretu - Voices
Andru Donalds - Vocals
Elisabeth Houghton - Voices
Ruth-Ann Boyl (Olive member) - Vocals
Jens Gad - Guitar, Engineer
and of course Michael Cretu, the 39 year old, classically-trained mastermind behind Enigma. Following the obligatory intro (The Gate), “Push The Limits” showcases the new dancier style present on this album, with its congas and keyboards creating an infectious but Enigma-esque feel.

Next the powerful ethereal “Gravity Of Love”, opens to the strains of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”, which also features in “Modern Crusaders”, “Camera Obscura” and “The Gate”, helping the album flow. Michael Cretu’s vocals appear for the first time in “Modern Crusaders”, above a guitar which blends in wonderfully with the complex backing. Other highlights are “Endless Quest”, “Trace (Light and Weight)” and “Silence Must Be Heard”.

This multi-textural album incorporates church bells, Gregorian chants, several choirs, pipe organs, wide-ranging percussion, as well as numerous other instruments. While slightly unoriginal, in my opinion this is one of Enigma’s best works; ambient, relaxing, well written and fresher than their earlier albums, which tend to suffer as a result of the numerous clones they spawned.