Michael Cretu Enigma 8 cd dvd disc box set 15 years After

Yes, I give this box set five stars simply because of it's immaculate presentation, not to mention the incredible music and visuals it contains. Save for one of the eight discs included, it's the supreme culmination of Enigma's career thus far.

Frontman Michael Cretu displays his work proudly here, in a large, glossy book housing the first five albums, a bonus disc and Enigma's two DVD's (with each disc having only the corresponding album's cover artwork on them)

MCMXC a.D. - The one that started it all, the one that brought Gregorian chants into the mainstream, and one of the classic albums of the 90's. Upon its release, this kind of production was never heard, and it finally propelled Cretu into international recognition. Includes the megahit "Sadeness", as well as other gems, "Mea Culpa", "Rivers of Belief" and "Callas Went Away".

The Cross of Changes - The hugely successful follow up that includes Enigma's biggest hit ever, "Return to Innocence". Also worth mentioning is "I Love You...I'll Kill You", "The Eyes of Truth", "Silent Warrior", and their most underrated single "Out From The Deep".

Le Roi Est More, Vive Le Roi! - Enigma's most mellow outing, sounding like a cross between Deep Forest and Pink Floyd, it stands out as their most ethereal and atmospheric album. Though it's two singles were never hits, it was their best album to date (1996). Check out "Why...!", "Shadows In Silence", "Morphing Thru Time", "Almost Full Moon" and "TNT For the Brain".

The Screen Behind The Mirror - Probably the most unoriginal of the bunch, this album crosses the ambience of MCMXC a.D. with rock edge. There are more guitars here, although the overall sound goes back to the heavy beat-driven days of the first two albums. Olive's Ruth-Ann Boyle and European crooner Andru Donalds make their debut as the new voice of Enigma alongside Cretu. "Smell of Desire", "Modern Crusaders" and "Silence Must Be Heard" are the standout tracks.

Voyageur - This is the departure of the sample-driven Enigma, and for the first time we hear a truly original album. This one is less atmospheric and more electronic. It's abstract, but still accessible, and is the freshest Enigma creation to-date! I can't get over "Boum Boum", "Voyageur", "The Piano" and "Incognito".

The Dusted Variations - This bonus disc (created especially for this set) is the one disc that is non Enigma original.. Yes, we get the latest single, "Hello and Welcome" (which is a real treat!), but then you get several non-Enigma remakes of Enigma songs. Faithless' Rollo is at the helm.

MCMXC a.D., The Complete Video Album - This DVD (unfortunately in PAL format) was released after the first album. Great music, very dated videos. But still, it's worth seeing at least once. Plus, you get to hear the first album in 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS sound. A real plus!

Remember The Future DVD - This is every Enigma video ever made through 2001's "Turn Around"....except "Out From The Deep". Why Cretu left this one out is beyond me. Still, it's an impressive collection of the visuals accompanying the music. The classic "Return to Innocence" is the crowning jewel here, but "Gravity of Love" is a close second.

All in all, this box set is for serious collectors only. Fans will already own the albums and DVD's, and casual listeners are unlikely to fork over the staggering price of this collection. But if you would like to have this just to look at it, it's worth every penny. It puts Enigma on a pedestal, and rightly so.

The box was signed on the cover by Cretu but the autograph has fainted. 

Another Ducoso collectable.