But Sandra, who only of her debut single Maria Magdalena (1985) sold over 5 million copies, and with In the heat of the night, Everlasting love, or Secret land big singlehits had, and with her 7 until now released albums sold a total amount of over 10 million copies, was surely not doing nothing. The last months she used for recording her newest album Fading Shades at the studio in her house on Ibiza. And what for the artist and her artistic- and life-partner Michael Cretu much more joyful is : In July they're expecting their offspring. "When we knew it'll be twins the joy was doubled. Michael always wished to have twins, so for him a dream came true."
Because of her pregnancy, the recording sessions went a bit different as they used to be. The charming singer describes this experience as very usefull : "Since I was at the time of the recordings pregnant for six months, there was a big pressure on my diafragm. It takes a lot of air away, so I had to sit when I was singing. I didn't expect it would be this good." Sandra's voice sounds on Fading Shades even more powerfull, more leading and sensuous then before. The most important changes in her life have made a positive influence on her songs' attraction. Take the sensitive cover of the Moody Blues' classic Nights in white satin (the first single), the musically intrusive Tell me more, the mystic - atmospheric Invisible shelter or the Spartan instrumentated ballad Will you whisper, Sandra's new emotionality has very much been used. Not to forget First lullaby, Sandra's personal gift to her children. "Klaus Hirschburger wrote the lyrics for this song. His words made Michael and me weep. I think this is the most beautiful song on the album."
It's almost needless to notice that with Sandra's husband Michael Cretu again all musical currents came together. With familiar profession and an extreme precision he went to work. New is this time the support of a colleague of his. Succes producer Cretu took guitar player Jens Gad in the studio. the resident of Muenchen [RW : one of the major German cities] had supported Cretu's far most succesful project Enigma as guitar player and remixer before. "When Michael asked him to write songs for me he was totally taken over by the idea. This enthusiasm infected all of us" remembers Sandra.
Fading Shades shows again Sandra's feeling for accessible melodies, fascinating songs and tender interludes. That at the same time artistic approach and commercial touch can be in harmony had the in Saarland [RW : the German province in wich her birthtown Saarbruecken is situated] born singer proved already in history. With Fading Shades also the future belongs to her.
Translated from German by Robin Wessels (R.Wessels@Student.UTwente.Nl)