Title - 'Born To Sing: Deluxe Edition'
Artist - En Vogue
For those not in the know, En Vogue is an American R&B/pop vocal group whose original lineup consisted of singers Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones.
Formed in Oakland, California in 1989, En Vogue reached number two on the US Hot 100 with the single 'Hold On', taken from their 1990 debut album Born To Sing.
The group's 1992 follow-up album Funky Divas reached the top 10 in both the US and UK, and included their second US number two hit 'My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)' as well as the US top 10 hits 'Giving Him Something He Can Feel' and the monster smash 'Free Your Mind'.
In 1996, 'Don't Let Go (Love)' became the group's third, and most successful single, to reach number two in the US, and became their sixth number one on the US R&B chart.
Robinson left the group in 1997 shortly before the release of their third album EV3, which reached the US and UK top 10. Jones left the group in 2001, Amanda Cole joined shortly thereafter.
However, in 2003, Cole left the group, and Rhona Bennett joined the group during the recording of their album Soul Flower. In 2005, the original members briefly united before disassembling again.
In 2009, the original members once again reunited for their En Vogue: 20th Anniversary. Shortly after the tour, Robinson and Jones again departed from En Vogue, with Bennett rejoining the group as a trio.
En Vogue has sold more than 20 million records worldwide to date, and are often considered one of the best female vocal groups of all time. The group has won seven MTV Video Music Awards, three Soul Train Awards, two American Music Awards, and received seven Grammy nominations.
Cherry Red Records (UK) are now proud to launch 90/9, their dedicated new '90s imprint, with a Deluxe Edition of the aforementioned iconic album from En Vogue, Born To Sing.
Furthermore, this Deluxe Edition marks the first occasion that one of En Vogue’s classic albums has been given an expanded reissue.
Produced by Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy, Born To Sing features the signature hit ‘Hold On’ (#2 US, #1 US R&B and #5 UK), plus ‘Lies’ and ‘You Don’t Have to Worry’ (both also #1 R&B smashes) and ‘Don’t Go’ (#3 R&B).
The sought-after single versions of all four singles are included here as bonus tracks along with a comprehensive selection of remixes, many of which were originally issued only on vinyl and have been unavailable ever since.
CD 1:
1. 'PARTY'
2. 'STRANGE'
3. 'LIES'
4. 'HIP HOP BUGLE BOY'
5. 'HOLD ON'
6. 'PART OF ME'
7. 'YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY'
8. 'TIME GOES ON'
9. 'JUST CAN’T STAY AWAY'
10. 'DON’T GO
11. 'LUV LINES'
Bonus Tracks:
12. 'WAITIN’ ON YOU'
13. 'SILENT NITE' (Holiday Edit)
14. 'MOVER'
15. 'NATIONAL ANTHEM'
16. 'HOLD ON' (Seven Inch Edit)
17. 'LIES' (The Avant Garde Remix)
18. 'YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY' (Radio Remix Edit)
19. 'DON’T GO' (Radio Edit)
The original album opens with some spoken rap (at a 'Party', of course) and features one of the best chat up line comebacks I've ever heard on any album re: "What's your sign?" - "Stop sign!" That's backed by the finger-snappin' dancefloor slide of 'Strange' and the mid-tempo groove of 'Lies.'
Next up is a wicked R&B tribute to The Andrews Sisters' 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' and then a simply incredible vocal on the pulsating 'Hold On.' The ballad 'Part Of Me' is as delightful to hear now as it was back then and that's followed by the lite funk of 'You Don't Have To Worry.'
In much the sane vein, 'Time Goes On' is next and is backed by the two ballads 'Just Can't Stay Away' and 'Don't Go.' The gentle hipsway of 'Luv Lines' is next and that wraps up the original album nicely.
Amongst the 8 bonus tracks featured on the first disc is their 1991 holiday single ‘Silent Nite’, produced by Chuckii Booker. This festive favorite originally featured on the Remix to Sing EP alongside specially-commissioned remixes of Born to Sing tracks from Steve “Silk” Hurley, Frankie Knuckles, Marley Marl, Martin Van Blockson and DJ Eddie F. & Dave Hall; all of which appear on this Deluxe Edition.
We also get two acappella bonus tracks: the Japanese-only 1991 single ‘Mover’ and the rare studio recording of the American national anthem ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ (here simply as 'National Anthem'), originally released only as a cassette single B-side.
CD 2:
1. 'HOLD ON' (Extended Version)
2. 'LIES' (The Extended Avant Garde Remix)
3. 'YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY" (Club New Breed Mix)
4. 'SILENT NITE' (Long Holiday Mix)
5. 'STRANGE' (House Remix)
6. 'TIME GOES ON' (Dance Remix)
7. 'LIES' (New Jack Remix)
8. 'YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY' (Club Remix)
9. 'HOLD ON' (Hip Hop Remix)
10. 'LIES' (Extended Funky Remix)
11. 'YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY' (UK Edit)
12. 'HOLD ON' (Dub Version)
13. 'LIES' (Kwameì’s Bone Age Remix)
14. 'YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY' (Lo Cal Mix)
The second disc is chock full of remixes, but as is the norm, the tendency for song overkill can, come the final bend begin to overwhelm ones enjoyment of the tracks.
That said, my personal stand out favorites having now listened to this disc through twice back-to-back, are cuts such as 'Silent Nite' (Long Holiday Mix), 'Lies' (New Jack Remix), and both 'Hold On' (Hip Hop Remix) and the brilliant 'Lies' (Kwame's Bone Age Remix).
With direct input from En Vogue and Foster/McElroy, this Deluxe Edition boasts an extensive booklet containing new sleeve notes, a fully illustrated discography and lyrics.
Official CD Purchase Link
www.envoguemusic.com
En Vogue @ Twitter!
www.cherryred.co.uk