Era (musical project)
Encyclopedia
Era is a New Age music
project by French composer Eric Lévi
. The band has sold more than 12 million albums. They use lyrics (by Guy Protheroe) which although similar to Greek or Latin are in fact deliberately devoid of any exact meaning.
s and occasionally world music
with contemporary electronic
arrangements. It is reminiscent of New Age music
projects such as Enigma
, Gregorian
, and Deep Forest
. Lyrics are written in Pseudo-Latin
and English, and some are based on beliefs of the 13th century French Christian sect, the Cathars.
Era's live shows and music videos often feature artists dressed in medieval
or traditional clothes and armour. Usually, actors Pierre Bouisierie and Irene Bustamante perform at Era shows.
"As a rule, I try to avoid copying musical styles which are imposed by epochs and cultures; I am always on the lookout for strong emotions; the sort that accompany an epic film. In fact, I am writing music for a film which has not yet been made!" says Eric Levi.
They also have some songs in English such as "Mother" and "Looking For Something".
New Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
project by French composer Eric Lévi
Eric Lévi
Eric Lévi , born 1955 in Paris, France, is a musician.In 1975 Eric Lévi founded the hard rock band Shakin' Street with Fabienne Shine, which would release the two albums Vampire Rock and Solid as a Rock. Shakin' Street briefly toured with AC/DC and the Blue Öyster Cult before disbanding in 1981...
. The band has sold more than 12 million albums. They use lyrics (by Guy Protheroe) which although similar to Greek or Latin are in fact deliberately devoid of any exact meaning.
Style
Era mixes Gregorian chantGregorian chant
Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic liturgical music within Western Christianity that accompanied the celebration of Mass and other ritual services...
s and occasionally world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
with contemporary electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
arrangements. It is reminiscent of New Age music
New Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
projects such as Enigma
Enigma (musical project)
Enigma is an electronic musical project founded in Germany by Michael Cretu, David Fairstein and Frank Peterson in 1990. The Romanian-born Cretu conceived the Enigma project while working in Germany, but has based his recording studio A.R.T. Studios in Ibiza, Spain, since the early 1990s until May...
, Gregorian
Gregorian (band)
Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs. The band features both vocal harmony and instrumental accompaniment.- Band history :...
, and Deep Forest
Deep Forest
Deep Forest is a musical group consisting of two French musicians, Michel Sanchez and Eric Mouquet. They compose a style of world music, sometimes called ethnic electronica, mixing ethnic with electronic sounds and dance beats or chillout beats...
. Lyrics are written in Pseudo-Latin
Dog Latin
Dog Latin, Cod Latin, macaronic Latin, or mock Latin refers to the creation of a phrase or jargon in imitation of Latin, often by directly translating English words into Latin without conjugation or declension...
and English, and some are based on beliefs of the 13th century French Christian sect, the Cathars.
Era's live shows and music videos often feature artists dressed in medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
or traditional clothes and armour. Usually, actors Pierre Bouisierie and Irene Bustamante perform at Era shows.
"As a rule, I try to avoid copying musical styles which are imposed by epochs and cultures; I am always on the lookout for strong emotions; the sort that accompany an epic film. In fact, I am writing music for a film which has not yet been made!" says Eric Levi.
Language
Most Era songs are in Pseudo-Latin and some in Latin or Arabic.They also have some songs in English such as "Mother" and "Looking For Something".
Use of Era music
- Eric Levi composed the soundtrack for the FrenchFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
comedy film Les VisiteursLes VisiteursLes Visiteurs is a French film directed by Jean-Marie Poiré and released in 1993. In this comedy, a 12th-century knight and his servant travel in time to the end of the 20th century and find themselves adrift in modern society....
(1993) and Les Visiteurs II (1998). The film score would later become part of Era albums. - "Mother" was used in Sylvester StalloneSylvester StalloneMichael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone , commonly known as Sylvester Stallone, and nicknamed Sly Stallone, is an American actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, film director and occasional painter. Stallone is known for his machismo and Hollywood action roles. Two of the notable characters he has portrayed...
's sports drama DrivenDrivenDriven is a 2001 film directed by Renny Harlin and starring Sylvester Stallone, who also wrote and produced. It centers on a young racing driver's effort to win the ChampCar World Series...
. - Era is famous among mixed martial artsMixed martial artsMixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
fans due to "Enae Volare Mezzo" being the theme song of Fedor EmelianenkoFedor EmelianenkoFedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko) is a Russian heavyweight mixed martial artist. He has won numerous tournaments and accolades in multiple sports, most notably the Pride 2004 Grand Prix and the World Combat Sambo championship on four occasions, as well as medaling in the Russian national Judo...
. "Ameno" is used by Fedor's younger brother, Aleksander EmelianenkoAleksander EmelianenkoAlexander Vladimirovich Emelianenko , more commonly known as Alexander Emelianenko or Aleksander Emelianenko, is a Russian mixed martial artist. He is a three-times Russian national Sambo champion and three-time world Sambo champion in the absolute division...
.
Discography
- EraEra (album)Era is the eponymous debut album by Eric Lévi's New Age music project Era, first released in 1996 and re-released in 1998. Some editions include bonus track "After Time".-Use of Era music:* A remix of Ameno was made by DJ Quicksilver in 2000....
(1998) - Era 2Era 2 (album)Era 2 is the second studio album by French New Age music project Era.Videos were shot for "Divano" and "Infanati"; featuring actors Pierre Bouisierie and Irene Bustamante.-Track listing:# "Omen Score" – 4:39# "Divano" – 3:53# "Devore Amante" – 4:14...
(2000) - The MassThe Mass (album)- Certifications :- Charts :...
(2003) - The Very Best of EraThe Very Best of EraThe Very Best of Era is a collection from songs in previous albums and remixes by Era.-Track listing:# "Ameno" – 3:49# "Don't Go Away" – 4:24# "The Mass" – 3:42# "Mother" – 4:11# "Misere Mani" – 4:06# "Avemano Orchestral" – 4:21...
(2005) - RebornReborn (Era album)Reborn is an album by Eric Lévi's New Age project Era, released in 2008 .Videos were shot for "Reborn" and "Prayers"; featuring actors Pierre Bouisierie and Irene Bustamante.-Track listing:# "Reborn" – 5:32# "Prayers" – 4:20...
(2008) - ClassicsClassics (Era album)Classics is an album by Eric Lévi's New Age project Era, released in 2009 .- Track listing :# "Caccini + Redemption + Ave Maria" – 4:53# "Vivaldi + Sunset Drive + Spring / Four Seasons" – 3:40...
(2009) - The EssentialThe Essential (Era album)The Essential is an album by Eric Lévi's New Age project Era, released in 2010 .-Track listing:# "Ameno-2010 remix" – 4:01# "Reborn" – 5:27# "Hymne" – 4:52# "Prayers" – 4:17# "The Mass" – 3:37# "Devore Amante" – 4:12...
(2010) - Classics Vol 02Classics Vol 02(Era album)Classics 2 is an album by Eric Lévi's New Age project Era, released in 2010 .-Track listing:# "Ave Paternum Deo" – 4:03# "Madeus" – 4:13# "Abbey Road Blues" – 4:36# "A Brand New Day" – 4:33# "Voxifera" – 3:48# "Prelude" – 3:25...
(2010)
External links
- Official website – in French.
- Official UK website – in English.
- Complete official discography – in Russian.
- Unofficial website - a complete list of songs and languages can be found under Fans>Lyrics.
- [ allmusic.com profile]
- Discogs discography