- Audio CD (25 Oct 1993)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: East West
- ASIN: B000025GN5
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | Vinyl | Mini-Disc | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 11,599 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
If En Vogue looked like one-hit wonders after "Hold On", Funky Divas, their second album, confounded these expectations, and established them as serious contenders. Arguably the first "swing" band to achieve real success in the UK, they have paved the way for future all girl, black groups such as Jade, SWV, 702 and so on. However, this album, produced and arranged as always by Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster (also responsible for Club Noveau's classic "Lean On Me", as covered in 1999 by 4 The Cause), is too varied to fit totally into the "swing" pigeonhole, including as it does the faux-Parliament heavy riffing of equality anthem "Free Your Mind". One of the best things about En Vogue is the sassy talking interludes between tracks, and this album is no exception. It also includes singles "Giving Him Something He Can Feel", "Give It Up Turn It Loose", and, most notably, the truly marvellous "Never Gonna Get It". --Ronita Dutta
Review
By the time of this, their second album, En Vogue were on their way to becoming one of the most successful female vocal acts of all time. The group – Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson, Maxine Jones and Terry Ellis – represented intelligence, beauty and liberation, with a selection of well-chosen material that showcased both their strength and independence.
En Vogue had been put together in Oakland, California by producers Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster, who had previously overseen work by Club Nouveau and Tony! Toni! Toné!. They had been looking to update the soul girl-group template, which at that point in the US had remained largely static since Motown.
Born to Sing, En Vogue’s 1990 debut, was immediate and infectious. The group’s vocal blend and succulent choice of songs was designed for maximum commerciality, a silky antidote to the gangsta rap that was then so prevalent in the US. The fact that they looked stunning (Herron was a former Miss Black California) did them little harm, as each single was accompanied with videos devoured by MTV.
McElroy and Foster were magpies of the highest order and Funky Divas revels – in the most creative way possible – in its thievery. It borrows from new jack swing, hip hop, classic soul and, in the case of stand-out track Free Your Mind, heavy metal. The blend was irresistible. From the smooth old-school groove of Give It Up, Turn It Loose, to the pop sensibility of My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It) and the delicious cover of Curtis Mayfield’s Giving Him Something He Can Feel, there is an undeniable zest here.
The only real wrong-foot is the clanking new jack swing version of The Beatles’ Yesterday. Herron’s singing is fair enough, but the world really didn’t need another rendition of the song, and certainly not one with crunching drum machines giving their all.
En Vogue’s strain of soul and sassiness can be seen as a direct influence on both Destiny’s Child and, in the UK, All Saints and the Spice Girls. Aside from a few dated production tics, Funky Divas still sounds as much fun today as it did in 1992. --Daryl Easlea
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best album I have ever bought,
By A Customer
This review is from: Funky Divas (Audio CD)
I bought this CD on a whim at the age of 13, and I haven't stopped listening to it since. It has some all time classics (Free Your Mind) and every tune is impossible not to sing at the top of your voice and dance around the kitchen/living room/bathroom to. It may be old, but it is certainly not dated, and after losing two copies of it, I am now going to buy my third (time lucky) copy. Their later stuff has been good, but nothing beats Funky Divas. Thoroughly recommended!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still sounding great a decade later!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Funky Divas (Audio CD)
This is a classic R'n'B album and one of the definitive albums of the 90's. It has funk, rap and wonderful close harmonies in one smooth soulful package. The material is pure quality and the girls have the sort of sass and attitude the likes of TLC and Destiny's Child could only dream about. There is a perfect balance of slow and upbeat tracks which makes it great for dancing or just to chill to.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delicious,
By A Customer
This review is from: Funky Divas (Audio CD)
The girls excel themselves. This is a great album, full of gorgeous harmonies, funky music and thoughtful lyrics. Buy it ! You really won't be disappointed...
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