At the age of 46, Sandra has happily outgrown the girlband generation. Being allowed to grow up is not a punishment but a privilege in the music industry. Not without reason, the magazine »Bunte« once crowned Sandra »Germany’s Madonna«. Thirty years on stage and in the studio, never releasing an album which didn’t make the top twenty – it’s that element of constancy which makes an artist a star. »Back To Life« has seen her work with different production teams for the first time in her long career. »I’m not one of those people who think they do everything best by themselves. For me, it’s all about the quality of a song.« So she took the opportunity and put together from a wide range of suggestions and ideas a song package which captivates its listeners from the first »Heartbeat« to the last bar. Producer and composer Toby Gad, who lives in New York and recently garnered a Grammy nomination for Fergie’s hit, »Big Girls Don’t Cry«, produced ten of the 14 songs – among them the first single release – together with his brother, Jens Gad. Sandra’s voice meets that international quality, modernity with a sure sense of style and a European feel, lending each track an element of magic to make it stand out among the everyday fare of the contemporary pop music scene. One of the absolute highlights on this album is a duet which will surprise not only fans, but is also bound to cause a stir beyond the music industry. For her dynamic, swinging and lascivious Latin pop number, »The Night Is Still Young«, Sandra entered into a liaison which reverberates for more than this potential 2009 summer hit’s three minutes and twenty seconds playing time. Thomas Anders, formerly Modern Talking’s better half, and Sandra – the two greatest and most successful German voices from the best pop music decade – namely the 1980s – have teamed up. What started as a crazy idea has turned into a stroke of genius which makes for a bubbly mood. »I knew straight away that the chemistry between our voices would work. It was like a flash of genius. I saw Thomas in a beach bar in Ibiza sitting a few tables away, we raised our glasses to each other, and soon afterwards he turned up at my studio. Amazing!«. The result of this musical flirtation keeps the listener firmly in its grip – a perfect example of what critics call a »catchy tune«. The other producer teams’ tracks also excel. Echo award winner Axel Breitung, who has been globally successful with Rednex, Vanessa Amorosi and DJ Bobo, among others, has contributed a complex tune called »Never Before«, combining Sandra’s multi-faceted voice with ethnic elements in another potential chart topper. Zippy Davids, mastermind behind Lou Bega’s megaseller, »Mambo No. 5«, has added a surprise to the album’s spectacular sonic range with »Put Some 80ies In It«, but Sandra herself is responsible for the most enchanting contribution: the bilingual track »Tête-à-tête« is not only a reference to her French roots but also proves that songwriting has become more than a dream for her, proving to be a previously dormant talent. Francophile guitar pop which lends a new note to her voice with its charming, intelligent and reduced style. The role of women in the music industry has changed. Madonna celebrated her 50th birthday with a no. 1 chart position, Cher has headlined the biggest Las Vegas show at 60+, and Tina Turner will mark her 70th birthday with a sold-out world tour. »The careers of these women have been an inspiration to me. Absolutely! In fact I had been wondering whether I may not be ‘too old’ for the job of my dreams. But it’s first and foremost my own voice and my attitude to life which give me the absolute confidence to carry on. I can still sing »Maria Magdalena« at the studio the way I did 25 years ago. It seems like I still have all the time in the world.« Her spacious terrace overlooks the horizon of Sandra’s adopted home of Ibiza. Her smile is relaxed when she talks about her future: »To continue to be able to do what I do today: just like I did on »Back To Life«! And I’d like to keep this dream alive: to be free – in every direction!« <<< RETURN >>>