Abstrac

Abstract | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 8, 1989)
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000008COB
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,448 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

abstrac audio cd Lookin' Out For #1 I'll Be Your Friend---featuring Bernard Bell Sleaze Right And Hype Make Me Sweat Strategy Trust Me Buggin' Over You You're My Kind Of Guy You Are The Party (I Am The Fun)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars En Vogue before En Vogue, July 11, 2010

By 

Jimmie L. Batchelor (Memphis, TN, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Abstrac (Audio CD)

Arguably, the concept behind the creation of what became En Vogue was first "test driven" via this one-album group, 'cause they embodied the class, charm, style and vocal harmonies that EV became famous for. My favorite songs, "Right & Hype", "You Are The Party (I Am The Fun)" and "Buggin' Over You" could've easily been songs recorded by the aforementioned "Funky Divas of Soul". Unfortunately, the album's ballads/slow jams (tracks 2 & 7) seem forced and un-natural, as if they were tryin' too hard to convince you they're serious, but that faster tracks (#'s 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 & 10) are what sell this album and ultimately makes it an enjoyable listen, IMO.

En Vogue's creators and long-time producers, Foster & McElroy eventually picked up where Teddy Riley and Gene Griffin left off with this group thru EV. Too bad it was just a one-shot deal, 'cause Abstrac' definitely had potential.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars New Jack's 2nd girl group! (3.5 stars), January 28, 2004

By 

A. Lawson (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abstrac (Audio CD)

In late 1988, new jack swing was in full effect. Predominately male, Riley & Co. decided to give the genre a different look. What was that look? Women. The race was on! The first team to form a group was Kyle West and Al B. Sure in The Gyrls. Consisting of three back-up singers, the trio manufactured an LP titled Love Me or Leave Me. A decent record, it produced no chart entries and failed commercially. A year later, Teddy Riley and Gene Griffin took a stab at it with another group named Abstrac'.

Also consisting of three back-up singers, the trio produced a minor hit in their lead single "Right & Hype", a new jack staple featuring a cameo ad-lib by new jack pioneer Bernard Belle. Subsequent singles followed, but did not launch. The rest of the album follows the lead single; rump-shaking, light-hearted funk that favors the classic G.R. sound. My favorites include: "Sleaze", "Buggin Over You", and "Make You Sweat". The midtempo numbers ("I'll Be Your Friend", "Trust Me", "Strategy) are not quite as convincing, but still enjoyable.

In conclusion, Abstrac' is arguably the first successful new jack girl group. They were blessed with the famous G.R. sound and paved the way for countless other girl groups (En Vogue, TLC, Salt 'N Pepa) to follow in their footsteps. Unfortunately, shortly after their release, G.R. severed their partnership due to irreconcilible differences. As a result, Abstrac's hit potential all but flourished and they quietly disbanded. That being said, I recommend this album for nostalgia purposes. It's also a great record featuring the last of G.R.'s creative juices. A must-have for new jack fans and recommended for avid R&B followers.