En Vogue Albums (7)
What The Critics Say
Four years after their last true full-length (the nearly Internet-only Christmas album from 2002 barely counts), En Vogue return as independent women, not only in record label but also in attitude. Soul Flower benefits from more of an eye on the groove than on the charts and better than ever tricks from longtime producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy. Within the first five seconds of the album listeners get a slinky shuffle of a beat, '40s-styled harmonies, and a confident, soulful lead vocal. A ton of winning ideas follow, and Foster and McElroy seem to be having as much fun as ever. The 2004 version of En Vogue -- original members Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron with newish member Rhona Bennett -- harmonize as well as the original four, adding a mature attitude that's still sexy and strong. "All You See" is Sex in the City in a song, with the women delivering their "can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em" lyrics in elegant fashion. The plea for men to stop acting like boys on the slinky "Dissed Him" could make the lowliest player straighten up and "Nearly Lost" is a wonderful bit of light chamber funk. This isn't a return to form -- there's nothing reaching for the brassy heights of "Free Your Mind" and nothing as gimmicky as "My Lovin'" -- but Soul Flower finds the band revitalized, learned, and with a whole new set of opportunities in front of them. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
'Masterpiece Theatre'
Release Date 5/23/2000
Tracks 14
Label East West
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Whether it was caused by Dawn Robinson's absence or the questionable manipulations of their production team, En Vogue's first release as a trio, EV3, was a disappointment. Masterpiece Theatre, their second album since Robinson's departure, shows the group in much finer form. The silky-smooth harmonies are still there, combined with forceful solos and sassy and intelligent lyrics. "Love U Crazay" and "Those Dogs" both explore the liabilities of love in an aggressively funny way, set to famous classical music melodies, while still keeping funky R&B flavors. More traditional love songs pepper the rest of the album, but throughout, Masterpiece Theatre manages to accomplish what few albums do -- being clever and classy at the same time. ~ Stacia Proefrock, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The sound of En Vogue isn't greatly affected by the departure of Dawn Robinson for their third album, EV3, since the group's harmonies remain remarkably supple and soulful. Instead, the group are hurt by its selection of producers and songwriters. En Vogue have decided to work with Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy only occasionally on EV3, choosing to hire such professional songwriters and producers as Babyface, David Foster, Diane Warren and Ivan Matias, who arranged their hit single "Don't Let Go (Love)." At times, these pairings work: Babyface's "Whatever" is funkier than his previous work, and Matias brings a gospel-drenched sensibility to his songs. In the cases of Warren and Foster, they reshape En Vogue as an adult contemporary band, sapping the group of any of their energy or style. Still, there are enough strong moments scattered throughout the album to make it worth the wait. ~ Leo Stanley, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The 1990s was a time when hip-hop infused with R&B became pop music, and at the forefront of this movement was En Vogue. Their most commercially and critically successful album, Funky Divas, stands as one of the best pop/R&B albums to emerge from that time, incorporating soul, hip-hop, pop, dance, and rock to create one of the era's most diverse, dazzling, and exciting pieces of work. The album, which is basically free of filler, scored no less than five hit singles, three of which became Top Ten pop hits. Additionally, several other album tracks became dance hits and received considerable airplay as well. These include the unstoppable "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)," which combined perfect harmonies, street sass, and 1990s female assertion to create one of the biggest hits of 1992, as well as a catch phrase which became ubiquitous in popular culture. Other hits include their sophisticated, shimmering Top Ten remake of "Giving Him Something He Can Feel," a ghetto love fable initially popularized by Aretha Franklin, the doo wop good-feelin' "Give It Up Turn It Loose," the jazzy "Love Don't Love You," and the hard rock smash "Free Your Mind." The last was a hit which, following the summer of the Los Angeles riots, struck a chord with national audiences by coaxing people to let down their guards about racism and prejudice. Other highlights include the great opener "This Is Your Life," the hip-hop tracks "Hip Hop Lover" and "It Ain't Over Till the Fat Lady Sings," the house track "What Is Love," the sexy, Middle Eastern-influenced "Desire," and their wonderful, should-have-been-a-hit version of Curtis Mayfield's "Hooked on Your Love." Combining sass, elegance, and class with amazing vocals and perfect production, this delightful set stands as one of the 1990s definitive pop albums. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Combining classic and robust girl group harmonies with elements of high-tech funk and hip-hop, En Vogue has been one of the most distinctive and appealing R&B acts of the 1990s. One can make all kinds of comparisons -- the Shirelles, Martha & the Vandellas, Honey Cone, First Choice -- but there's no denying that En Vogue has a richly appealing sound all its own. The Oakland quartet had taken the R&B world by storm in 1991, when East West sought to cash in on the success of its debut album, Born to Sing, with this generally enjoyable, though not essential, collection of remixes. While all of the songs themselves are superb, the remixes (done by house music heroes Frankie Knuckles and Steve "Silk" Hurley and hip-hop producer Marley Marl, among others) range from inspired to pedestrian. "Strange" and "You Don't Have to Worry" take on a whole new life in a house setting, whereas Marl's remix of "Hold On" is a disappointment, relying on one tired hip-hop cliché after another. Interestingly, East West classifies this CD (which is primarily for hardcore fans) as an EP, although it's about as long as a vinyl LP. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The '80s produced countless "three girl and a drum machine"-type acts, but 1990 produced the trendsetting quartet En Vogue (courtesy of producers Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster), who, with their individual vocal skills, sophisticated sense of fashion, sultry videos, and smart singles, went on to become one of the decade's most successful and influential acts. The album that started it all was Born to Sing, which scored two pop hits and two more R&B hits. First and foremost is "Hold On," a cool, shuffling, timeless hip-hop R&B track which peaked at number two on the pop charts and showcased the girls' effortless harmonies. "Lies," which alternated lead vocalists (and featured a rap courtesy of Debbie T.), managed to crack the Top 40 while proving that all members of the quartet were equally adept at handling lead vocals. The biting "You Don't Have to Worry" and the sensual "Don't Go" both scored high on the R&B charts without becoming pop hits. Other highlights include the funky new jill swing track "Strange" and their one-minute version of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (which should have been a full-length recording). There are a couple of duds, including "Part of Me," "Just Can't Stay Away," and the CD bonus track, "Waitin' on You," but overall this album is a winner, and was just a preview of the massive success they would achieve with 1992's Funky Divas. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide
