...Dawn Robinson was not the premier EV vocalist-- if you look back, and you can do it well with this collection, all four singers seemed to mix and match their vocals to get the greatest effect. All four were premier...Cindy, however, seemed to be the de facto leader of the group--from her lead vocal contributions to "Hold On" and "You Don't Have To Worry" and Dawn's style made her to be the one most fellas would want to ask on a date. But by the time "Lies" and "My Lovin'" came about they showed that they could function as a four woman unit and still be strong performers. In fact, "Whatever", and Dianne Warren's "Too Gone, Too Long" (a much underrated piece of Envogia) showcases how great the remaining EV--Maxine, Cindy, and Southern Girl Terry--still are. And with the releasing of their new album, and in comparison with what's out there now, listeners will find that EV was a good group then and is still a good group now...

I LOVE EN VOGUE! with all my heart and soul, to the point of obsession. Sadly, this GREATEST HITS CD was a hit and a miss due largely to the fact that four essential EV hits, if not fan favorites, were left off the album. I'm referring to BORN TO SING's YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY and DON'T GO (which were both top 10 hits for the group) as well as that albums fan favorites JUST CAN'T STAY AWAY and PART OF ME. Instead, songs like NO FOOL NO MORE, which is one of my favorites by them, the lackluster LOVE DON'T LOVE YOU, and two so-so remixes at the end were included.

To add insult to injury, the producers of this project didn't even bother to include the video versions of WHATTA MAN with the "GOOD GOD" outro, DON'T LET GO (LOVE) with Terry's ad libs at the end as they are in the video and a remix of the track, and finally LIES which had a hype remix with the rap included called the AVANT GARDE remix/extended version that included a piano solo at the end. All these tracks with said remixes would have truly made this album THE BEST of EN VOGUE. However, the video collection did include YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY and DON'T GO, at the end, but still omitted WHATTA MAN. This too was a hit and a miss but if you are a true fan of the FUNKY DIVAS you will forgive these transgressions and pray that in the future who ever decides to pay them homage will do so more deftly and accurately with care and love.

En Vogue will forever be considered one of the most influential girl groups of all-time. They first emerged in 1989, during a time when New Jack Swing dominated the R&B airwaves. Their music, produced by ex-Club Nouveau members Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy, coupled with their distinctive vocals signaled the New Jill movement and paved the way for girl groups of today's generation.

Their first hits, "Hold On," and "Lies," indeed incorporates the R&B-meets-Hip-Hop sound, with phat bass lines and synthesized effects, all on their debut, "Born To Sing." The album's title proved fact, but it wasn't until their sophomore project, "Funky Divas," (1992) that they began to barnstorm the charts and the music industry. "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)," sounds as fresh today as it did eight years ago, and not to mention the hot music video! (If you've seen it, you know what I'm talkin' 'bout!) Then-member Dawn Robinson seduces all men with the sultry lead vocals on "Giving Him Something He Can Feel," which is one of their best in my mind. The group then goes rock on the inspirational cut, "Free Your Mind." The next few cuts feature a collaboration with hip-hop heavyweights Salt 'N Pepa on "Whatta Man," the funky "Give It Up, Turn It Loose," and the chillin' sound of "Runaway Love," which was on their remix LP of the same name. Dawn, Cindy, Terry and Maxine ruled the music world it seems during the early '90s.

The group took a major hiatus in the mid-'90s, with Terry Ellis delivering an unsuccessful solo album and Cindy Herron taking on motherhood. They came back in '97 with the smooth "Don't Let Go (Love)," featured on the soundtrack to SET IT OFF. However, the success of the single wasn't enough to convince Dawn Robinson to stay, so she left before the release of EV3, their third album, to pursue a solo career.

The remaining members spent '97 and '98 promoting Ev3. However, the album was a commercial disappointment, despite the commercially played, "Whatever," produced by Babyface. Perhaps it was because we never envisioned them as a trio.

So herein lies the legacy of En Vogue throughout the '90s, a Masterpiece Theater, if you will...

While most bands enjoy the success of a greatest hits package by cutting new tracks, En Vogue did just the opposite. It looks as if the record company pieced together this album with old photos (with all the girls) and recent photos of just the three. There isn't even a "thank yous" on the inside.

Sure, this CD has some of En Vogue's biggest hits, but they came mostly from their previous albums, so why buy this one? Sure there is the two "hidden tracks" which quite frankly can stay hidden...

En Vogue were the queens of sister harmonizing soul back in the early 90s, but with the departure of Dawn, they lost focus, they lost their pizazz. Perhaps the upcoming release of their new album "Masterpiece Theater" will change all of that...Riddle is fast proving that change can be good!

En Vogue has to be the best girl group ever! They paved the way for many other new girlgroups like Brownstone, Xscape, Vybe, Pure Soul, Destiny's Child and SWV. This "Best Of" collection is a must have! I've been a long time EV fan and this CD gets listened to very often. Every popular hit of their's is on this compilation. I only wish a few other songs were included as well, like: "You Don't Have To Worry," "Part Of Me," "Silent Night," and "Hooked On Your Love." Those are also great songs that could've been included in this set, but nonetheless it's still a Great collection of their biggest hits. The highlights are: "Hold On," "Don't Let Go," "Lies," "Whatta Man," "Giving Him Something He Can Feel," and "Free Your Mind." This CD is very enjoyable and the kind of music you'll never get bored of. If you don't already own any of their albums, then grab this one today!