MCMXC a.D.
YEAR
1990
CREDIT
Virgin
About MCMXC a.D.
MCMXC a.D., 1990 in Roman numerals, introduced Enigma to the world. Released in December 1990, the debut album fused Gregorian chant and breathy French vocals with hip-hop rhythm and atmospheric electronic production, opening with the now-iconic invitation: “Good evening. This is the voice of Enigma. In the next hour we will take you with us into another world, into the world of music, spirit, and meditation. Turn off the light, take a deep breath, and relax.“
At the heart of the album is its juxtaposition of the sacred and the sensual. The first single Sadeness (Part I), a reference to Marquis de Sade, entered international charts with a never-before-heard combination of Gregorian chant and sensual grooves. Mea Culpa centres on guilt; Principles of Lust needs no explanation; The Rivers of Belief turns toward Hinduism’s holy river, the Ganges. Together they form an eclectic musical journey, a meditation in sound that defined a new age of music.
”MCMXC a.D. is done in the tradition of bands like Yes or Pink Floyd, who did an album all-in-one with transitions from one song to the other. I tried to break rules, in more than just one way. This is what I intend to do with every Enigma album.
Michael Cretu
Tracklisting
- The Voice of Enigma — 2:21
- Principles of Lust:
- a. Sadeness — 4:16
- b. Find Love — 3:08
- c. Sadeness (Reprise) — 1:42
- Callas Went Away — 4:29
- Mea Culpa — 5:01
- The Voice & The Snake — 1:41
- Knocking on Forbidden Doors — 4:22
- Back to the Rivers of Belief:
- a. Way to Eternity — 1:54
- b. Hallelujah — 3:40
- c. The Rivers of Belief — 4:00
Credits
Release
1990, Virgin
Produced by Enigma
Cover Art by Johann Zambryski
Personell
Curly M.C. — composer, producer, performer — all tracks
F. Gregorian — composer — The Principles of Lust: Sadeness / Find Love / Sadeness (Reprise), The Voice & the Snake
David Fairstein — composer & spoken voice — The Principles of Lust: Sadeness / Find Love / Sadeness (Reprise), Mea Culpa, Back to the Rivers of Belief: Way to Eternity / Hallelujah / The Rivers of Belief; spoken voice only The Principles of Lust: Sadeness / Find Love / Sadeness (Reprise)
Louisa Stanley — spoken voice — The Voice of Enigma
Sandra — spoken voice — The Voice of Enigma, The Principles of Lust: Sadeness / Find Love / Sadeness (Reprise), Mea Culpa
Related Single Releases
Sadeness (Part I)
Mea Culpa (Part II)
Principles of Lust
The Rivers of Belief
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