Search - Sandra :: Wheel of Time

The Wheel of 'Success'

M. Kwiecien | Chicago, IL USA | 11/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sandra Cretu is probably mostly known in the United States as 'the voice of Enigma' or Mrs. Cretu, the wife of the brilliant Romanian-German producer Michael Cretu (the inventor of Enigma, known for "Sadeness", "Mea Culpa", "Return to Innocence", "T.N.T. for the Brain", etc.) However, before lending her seductive voice to her husband's enigmatic project, Mrs. Cretu thrived on the success of her solo career, which includes some of the best of 1980's retro-dance hits; "Maria Magdalena", "In the Heat of the Night", "Secret Land" and "Everlasting Love" were all great hits that catapulted Sandra into the Madonna-esque universe of German dance music. Nevertheless, her '80's music, though excellent in its own right, leaves no significant imprint on this blockbuster of an album. "The Wheel of Time" (2002) is a production love child of husband Michael Cretu and fellow Enigma pal, Jens Gad. Although reminiscent of some of Enigma's sounds, the album is mostly an experimentation in contemporary European dance culture. By any means NOT a euro-pop album, or a trance/techno venture, "The Wheel of Time" is a darker breed of dance that stands virtually independent of any dance-type category you might be tempted to put it in. Simply speaking, it is its own category. And with the assistance of her genius spouse, this is - by no doubt - a real Cretu gem....

1) forgive me (9/10) great opener; sets a great tone for the rest of the album.

2) footprints (9/10) sounds a lot like Enigma, very strong production.

3) motivation (10/10) this one will warm up your soul; very inspirational, uplifting lyrics (and sound)

4) i close my eyes (10/10) great ballad; it almost seems to take you take you somewhere....and it is a very pleasant place...

5) perfect touch (10/10) one of my favorites, i love her voice, the production and the tribal chants in the background; this should have been a single.

6) silent running (9/10) a very nice rendition of a well known cover.

7) such a shame (10/10) another favorite; this one will make you want to dance.

8) now! (9/10) another uplifting song, this one is a duet with her hubby.

9) free love (10/10) a cover of the Depeche Mode (2001) song of the same name; dare I say better than the original?? : )

10) forever (7/10) the weakest track, yet still a gem, (another ballad)

11) the wheel of time (10/10) I love this one, kind of dark, but a very strong closing for the album.....you will love it (also reminiscent of Enigma)"