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Since their 1990 debut, En Vogue, via two full length multi-platinum albums, one best-selling EP, captivating live performances and dazzling, trend-setting music videos, have boldly set the standard for the '90s female vocal group. Their distinctively soulful sound, ever-fashionable look and cosmo style have all served to re-define Pop's almighty institution, the Girl Group.

Even so, EV3, the group's third EastWest/Elektra album, is the holy grail, arguably the greatest En Vogue project yet. During the album, Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron and Maxine Jones are at the top of their game, forging new musical terrain both as vocalists and songwriters (the group penned two songs here, including the biting, gospel-tinged a cappella social commentary, "Does Anybody Hear Me?").

"Whatever," the LP's sultry first single, was co-written and co-produced (with Guiliano Franco) by none other than indefatigable pop/soul Midas man Babyface, while the dynamic power ballad "Too Gone Too Long" was penned by award-winning songwriter Diane Warren and produced by veteran chart-topper David Foster. Longtime En Vogue producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy contribute five of their best tracks ever, including the yearningly soulful "Waiting By Heaven's Door," a breezy, mid-tempo "Love Makes You Do Strange Things" and two old school R&B-flavored gems, "What A Difference A Day Makes" and the oh so funky "Let It Flow," which re-weaves the funk band Slave's '70s hit "Slide" into an infectious '90s groove sure to have dance floors rockin' internationally.

Also here: the mighty "Don't Let Go (Love)," the original soundtrack hit from the 1996 action drama, Set It Off. Anchoring the album are songs produced by the innovative duo, Ivan Matias and Andrea Martin. Their breakthrough production provided En Vogue with the kind of atmosphere necessary to once again push the musical envelope. Their collaboration includes the sassy hip-hop "You're All I Need," and the dark prowling, sexy "Damn I Wanna Be Your Lover." But it's the mesmerizing "Right Direction" that finds the group soulfully charting new territory. The song, a cascading blend of hopefulness and defiance, serves as En Vogue's fearless affirmation about where they stand, here and now. Always strong - but also tempered by life's lessons - they wind their way back into our hearts on the back of one of their most memorable vocal performances ever. It's classic En Vogue, set off by gritty strands of piercing guitar work that matches the urgency of their voices.

The song perfectly personifies the group today. EV3 is En Vogue as you've never heard them before, but exactly where you'd expect them to be, showcasing their trademark dynamic, soul-searing lead vocals and warm, ultra-tight backing harmonies.

"We're very proud of this album because it shows just how much we've grown both as singers and as a group in general," says Terry. "When we began recording the project, we'd just come back from an almost three year hiatus. But once we got into the studio, it was as if we'd never taken the time off."

EV3 marks the group's first time working extensively with other songwriters and producers outside the team of Foster and McElroy; according to Maxine, the experience was as much a challenge as it was a creative anointment. "Denny and Tommy are like brothers to us. We've been with them from the very beginning, so working with names like Babyface and David Foster was a little scary at first. Every producer has a different style and a different way of recording, but they wanted exactly what we are musically, and that was re-assuring."

En Vogue burst upon the pop music scene in 1990 with the debut album, Born To Sing. Propelled by three consecutive #1 R&B hits, including "Hold On" (it's exciting video did almost as much for the Little Black Dress as the cocktail), the album sold more than a million copies, christening the group, then a foursome--Houston-born Ellis, Herron and Jones, both from Northern California and the Los Angeles based Dawn Robinson--as an act with promise.

The group's 1992 follow-up LP, the three million-selling Funky Divas, featuring the #1 R&B hit "My Lovin' (Never Gonna Get It)" and the top 10/pop hits "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" and "Free Your Mind" (the dazzling video for which earned the group three MTV Video awards), more than made good on that promise. The group, nominated for five Grammy Awards, won an American Music Award and in 1992 were honored with Soul Train's prestigious Entertainer of the Year Award, graced the pages of Rolling Stone, Vogue, Entertainment Weekly and Essence, among other major publications. They appeared on the Tonight Show and Arsenio Hall and starred in their own Diet Coke commercial, directed by Spike Lee. Suddenly, En Vogue, which the New York Times declared "...a group with vocal skills to match its looks," was an act to be reckoned with. Established girl groups took notes and newcomers shamelessly fashioned themselves after EV. To keep pace with the demand from fans, 1993's Runaway Love, a six-song EP--a brand new title track, a cover of Salt-N-Pepa's "Whatta Man" and four exciting re-mixes of previously recorded tracks--was released, and it too scored. Relentless touring, including a plum spot opening for Luther Vandross' 1993 sold-out tour, including stops in England, Germany, the Netherlands and France, confirmed the group's live vocal and performing prowess.

In 1995, the group took time off to rest and sort out business affairs, during which time Cindy, now married, took time to start a family, as did Maxine. Terry took the occasion to release a solo album, the well-received Southern Gal.

However, for an artist in the ever-fickle world of pop music, a three year hiatus can be a death sentence. Not for En Vogue. "Don't Let Go (Love)", from the Set It Off soundtrack, and the group's first single in years, soared to #2 on Billboard's pop chart. At the 1997 Soul Train Music Awards, a re-vitalized En Vogue re-introduced itself to its loyal fans and the music industry at large with a show-stopping performance of the song that left a breathless Shrine Auditorium in mild chaos. En Vogue was back.

Shortly after the Soul Train appearance, group member Dawn Robinson left the fold amicably in pursuit of a solo career. The group understood. "En Vogue has meant something to all of us individually," says Maxine. "For Dawn, it was a stepping stone to a solo career, which is something she's always wanted. She's our sister; we're definitely rooting for her, and she's rooting for us."

In May '97, En Vogue made their debut performance of "Whatever" on NBC-TV's popular Saturday Night Live. The appearance triumphantly underscored the obvious: this is a group that just keeps getting better and better. "We know each other and we know what to expect of one another in the studio and on stage. I'm sure it sounds cliche, but I don't know how we could grow as individuals and not mature artistically."

And nowhere is this more apparent than during EV3. Don't call it a comeback. Simply call it the continued musical evolution of a vocal group that continues to excite and intrigue every funky step of the way.

THIS BIOGRAPHY WAS MADE WITH THANX TO THE PEOPLE AT ELKTRA

(En Vogues record company)


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