16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best Enigma Singles out there!, 7 Feb 2000
By "invincible2000" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Return to Innocence (Audio CD)
For people new to Enigma, this is probably one of the two songs you heard that got your attention. Return to Innocence and Sadeness are the two most popular songs by Enigma. Yes, the import single is still available! Most Enigma singles go out of print after a few years, but some stay. If you want to start collecting Enigma singles, this is the perfect one to start with. It's very easy to find and it doesn't cost much. You'll fall in love all over again with the extended version (track 2) and become entranced with the incredible 380 midnight mix (track 3). For new fans who want to collect the different versions, I'm here to help! The single was released in 1993 in the US, England, Germany, Holland, and Japan. The most common version is the Germany version. It has Native American artwork covering the entire disc. Next is the Holland version, which was recently re-released, so it should be fairly easy to find. It has the same artwork as the Germany, but with a clear ring close to the center of the disc. The England version is also similar to the first two, but it has a totally clear center. The US version is a special edition maxi-disc that features the radio edit of Sadeness! It's hard to find, though. The Japan version is out of print, and is next to impossible to find. Hope the info helps. Feel free to ask me any Enigma questions! invincible@collegeclub.com
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
great song! But I can only give 4 stars before of its origin, 1 Oct 2001
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Return to Innocence (Audio CD)
It's a great song! But unfortunately, I can only give this song 4 stars, because of the following reason: Enigma copied part of the melody from "Jubilant Drinking song" from Taiwan native vocalists Mr and Mrs. Kuo (Chinese name: Kuo, Yin-Nan, but I don't know their native names) when those Taiwan native vocalists were invited to sing in the international folksong concerts held in France before 1994. Enigma even used their original singing in the beginning of the song! The "Jubilant Drinking song" is used to sing while drinking with the friends or local tribes for Taiwan natives who live in the eastern coast facing the Pacific Ocean. That is why the melody has the favor and attitudes of the ocean tides hitting the rocky coasts!
After some court suings and legal settlements, the CD company paid those Taiwanese vocalists the the royalty of that song, and print their names on the new release of that song later. The Taiwanese vocalists were invited to the opening ceremony of 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games in U.S.A. and sang with Enigma. That is why I give this song 4 stars.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Much Alive Version..., 5 Dec 2000
By Armando M. Mesa - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Return to Innocence (Audio CD)
I choose the Long and Alive version of Return To Innocence as the best version on this maxi-single. It is just that,long and re-vitalized with added warmth, vocals and percussion. It's not overwrought with 300 bpms (beats per minute-for the club/d.j. enthusiast) like the other version. Vocals by Sandra Cretu and Louisa Stanley are better isolated here than on the album version. Male lead vocals by German singer Angel (Andy Hard)are, for lack of better words, ethereal and lightweight. Yet, his vocals are impressively strong.A minor post script/footnote here: Anyone who collects rare hard to find European imports interested in hearing more of Angel's vocals can try to track down a solo album he put out a few years ago. It was,once again, produced by Michael Cretu/Enigma. The title of the c.d. is Welcome to the Soul Asylum.Some copies were sold in Europe under the artist's name as Angel X or Angel...
The Return to Innocence extended mix will leave listeners mesmerized and with a feeling that they have just taken some sort of mystical and spiritual journey from within. You will also feel very close to the earth and Heaven...