Enigma 'A Posteriori'

1. Eppur Si Muove
2. Feel Me Heaven
3. Dreaming Of Andromeda
4. Dancing With Mephisto
5. Northern Lights
6. Invisible Love
7. Message From IO
8. Hello And Welcome
9. 20,000 Miles Over The Sea
10. Sitting On The Moon
11. The Alchemist
12. Goodbye Milky Way

Michael Cretu's latest concoction does not hark back to the previous Enigma releases except for the sampling of a few signature sounds at the beginning and also in certain track segments. Otherwise, gone are the usual samples of Georgorian chants and sensual female vocals in this largely instrumental release. Instead, that is replaced by club friendly beats, akin to that of DJ Tiesto or Paul Oakenfold though somewhat sparser in feel. Does this evoke a feel of space? Surely, one cannot compare the orchestral works such as that of Holst's 'The Planets' or the electronic ambience of Tangerine Dream's 'Phaedra' as being more apt as the vacuum of space is devoid of sound, unless one were to decide not to discount x-rays and other forms of cosmic radiation... The perception of Cretu's creation will largely be dependent on the individual's cultural and mental make-up.

The lead off single is 'Hello and Welcome' which was said to be written as an opening theme for a boxer in a recent match. True? I don't know. If this were an opening theme, it would be a languid piece, relaxed and interspersed with sampled guitars? Perhaps if someone can enlighten me.

The main thrust of 'A Posteriori' will appear to be that a cosmic theme, for instance, the eventual collision of the Milky Way and the Andromeda in five billion years or that of viewing the earth from the moon and more. The feel is that of a languid ambience with no obvious pop singles. Subtle? In a sense. A work, perhaps, for the late hours of the night.