Born to Sing

• Artist: En Vogue
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1990
• Total Time: 50:59
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

The '80s produced countless "three girl and a drum machine"-type acts, but 1990 produced the trendsetting quartet En Vogue (courtesy of producers Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster), who, with their individual vocal skills, sophisticated sense of fashion, sultry videos, and smart singles, went on to become one of the decade's most successful and influential acts. The album that started it all was Born to Sing, which scored two pop hits and two more R&B hits. First and foremost is "Hold On," a cool, shuffling, timeless hip-hop R&B track which peaked at number two on the pop charts and showcased the girls' effortless harmonies. "Lies," which alternated lead vocalists (and featured a rap courtesy of Debbie T.), managed to crack the Top 40 while proving that all members of the quartet were equally adept at handling lead vocals. The biting "You Don't Have to Worry" and the sensual "Don't Go" both scored high on the R&B charts without becoming pop hits. Other highlights include the funky new jill swing track "Strange" and their one-minute version of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (which should have been a full-length recording). There are a couple of duds, including "Part of Me," "Just Can't Stay Away," and the CD bonus track, "Waitin' on You," but overall this album is a winner, and was just a preview of the massive success they would achieve with 1992's Funky Divas. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Party	Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy	En Vogue	(1:10)
Strange (Lyrics)	En Vogue, Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy	En Vogue	(4:39)
Lies (Lyrics)	En Vogue, Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy, Khayree Shaheed	En Vogue	(4:16)
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (Lyrics)	Hughie Prince, Don Raye	En Vogue	(:54)
Hold On (Lyrics)	En Vogue, Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy	En Vogue	(5:03)
Part of Me (Lyrics)	En Vogue, Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy	En Vogue	(5:58)
You Don't Have to Worry (Lyrics)	Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy	En Vogue	(3:47)
Time Goes On (Lyrics)	En Vogue, Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy	En Vogue	(5:05)
Just Can't Stay Away	Chuck Jackson, Marvin Yancy	En Vogue	(5:10)
Don't Go (Lyrics)	Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy	En Vogue	(5:45)
Luv Lines (Lyrics)	En Vogue, Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy	En Vogue	(4:04)
Waitin' on You [*]	Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy	En Vogue	(5:08)

Credits

En Vogue (Main Performer), David Roth (Photography), Steve Counter (Engineer), Terry Ellis (Vocals), Terry Ellis (Vocals (Background)), Terry Ellis (?), Dale Everingham (Engineer), Denzil Foster (Arranger), Denzil Foster (Keyboards), Denzil Foster (Producer), Denzil Foster (Executive Producer), Denzil Foster (Drum Machine), Bob Fudjinski (Assistant Engineer), Brian Gardner (Engineer), Bernie Grundman (Mastering), Maxine Jones (Vocals), Maxine Jones (Vocals (Background)), Maxine Jones (?), Ken Kessie (Engineer), Thomas McElroy (Arranger), Thomas McElroy (Keyboards), Thomas McElroy (Producer), Thomas McElroy (?), Thomas McElroy (Drum Machine), Jeff Poe (Engineer), Grover Washington, Jr. (Saxophone), Bob Defrin (Art Direction), Cindy Herron (Vocals), Cindy Herron (Vocals (Background)), Cindy Herron (?), John Jackson (Assistant Engineer), Dawn Robinson (Vocals), Dawn Robinson (Vocals (Background)), Dawn Robinson (?), Lynn Levy (Assistant Engineer), David Lombard (Executive Producer), Debbie T. (Rap), Erik Wolf (Assistant Engineer), James Williamson (Assistant Engineer)

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