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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
En Vogue WERE Born To Sing!, April 3, 2005
I never noticed En Vogue much growing up. I guess I was more invovled with the hip-hop/soul quirkiness of TLC to really notice this sassy quartet. Sure I had heard of their mind blowing "Free Your Mind" and harmonizing funk of "Never Gonna Get My Love" from their highly acclaimed 1992 release "Funky Divas" but I never really delved into their music untill now. I brought "Born To Sing" at my local used music store and I was amazed at how fresh this album sounds even though this album is fifteen years old!
En Vogue has a style that is sexy, brash and classy, not to mention their stellar vocal stylings which all four women mesh well together and never sound boring or competing. The women of En Vogue (Dawn, Cindy, Terri and Maxine) take turns sharing the spotlight on their 1990 debut and they all can hold their own.
With a little help from Club Noveau (spell?-they brought you the remake of the Bill Withers classic "Lean On Me" and were once called the Timex Social Club which had a hit called "Rumors") members Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster, En Vogue captures the esscense of early 90's New Jack with their debut.
The hits were the street funky "Hold On" which features a nice little intro of the Jackson 5's "Who's Loving You" but seems out of place with the song itself. "Lies" was next with it's hip-hop New Jack piano and a female rapper named Debbie T. Then the harmonious "You Don't Have To Worry" and the drum machine drenched "Don't Go" summed up the biggest hits off the album and also the best songs off the album. The other tracks hold up well against the hits, such as the quirky and sharp "Strange" and the small interlude of the Andrews Sisters classic "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" which had a hip-hop flair to it and that I wished was longer. "Luv Lines" is another notable which features some great keyboard work and showcases some demanding singing from Dawn. And the bonus track "Waitin' On You" features some sultry vocals from Cindy and a wonderful sax by late great sax player Grover Washington Jr. and the glorious remake of "Just Can't Stay Away" holds well with the original. Still there are some duds like the eerie "Part Of Me" which isn't great at times and it can be sleep enducing but still En Vogue take turns at singing lead on this one and I give them props for that. Also "Time Goes On" is verry annoying after a couple of listens especially with the repetative "Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock" it practically drove me insane at first listen!
With some funny interludes ("Party" features the girls at a party being approached by some stupid guys, it's verry funny and it reminds me of some of the guys that approach me at parties-you do want to say "NOOO!"), harmonous vocals, toe-tapping music and a sense of style and class from these ladies you will fully enjoy "Born To Sing" if you buy it. I'm now planning on purchasing "Funky Divas" and more En Vogue albums (though sadly Dawn left and the group it was never the same). A very good solid debut that makes you want to stand up and applaud!
StarSprinkles Top 5
1. Lies
2. Don't Go
3. You Don' Have To Worry
4. Luv Lines
5. Waitin' On You (tie w/Hold On)
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No "studio magic" here, these women SING!, March 1, 2002
These girls are talented, in a "old-school" sense. Like the musicians and artists your parents listened to. Not this "comptuerized, studio-enhanced" stuff were are forced to listen to now. Well, there were four women (I say were because everyone know that Dawn is no longer with the group.) They first popped onto the scene when R & B music was just that-real music. That had looks, voices and the ability to harmonize with the best of them. Anndddd, they also took turns singing lead (no Beyonce's here, Thank God.!) The first single, "Hold On", introduced us into this female quartet. They later blessed us with "Lies", "Don't Go" and other gems like "Part of Me," "Just Can't Stay Away" and the seductive, "Waiting on You." If you have not heard of En Vogue by now, do two things: Move to Western society and stop living in a cave and then buy this album!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Born to Sing and Licensed to Kill, May 24, 2000
The Supremes set the standard. TLC broke new grounds. Destiny's Child keeps up the tradition. The Spice Girls threw a wrech in the clock. However, only one woman singing group's music stops me in my tracks no matter what I'm doing."Born to Sing" introduced the world to the quartet known as En Vogue. If you're soul isn't lifted after hearing "Hold On" or "Don't Go", you're either souless or just plain dead. If you like things that are sexy, sweet, sassy, seductive and smooth, you'll want this album. I recommend all of En Vogue's records, especaily this one.
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