Voyageur
Enigma, aka Michael Crétu, turns out more light electronic ambience onVoyageur, mixing in an occasional twist but sticking pretty close to his successful, easily digested formula. Since Enigma’s massively popular debutMDMXC A.D., Crétu has moved toward a more New Age/adult contemporary sound, culminating with 2000’s blandThe Screen Behind The Mirror. As with that record,Voyageur’s weakest moments happen when Crétu puts his mediocre vocals front and center on tracks like "Total Eclipse of the Moon." Better are more beat-oriented songs like "Boum-Boum" that concentrate on seedier, sexier material and stay away from Crétu’s sappier instincts. While overall,Voyageurcounts as an improvement overMirror, Enigma still hasn’t found a replacement for the Gregorian chants and whispery techno that madeMDMXC A.D.such a groovy sensation. --Matthew Cooke