The sound of En Vogue isn't greatly affected by the departure of Dawn Robinson for their third album, EV3, since the group's harmonies remain remarkably supple and soulful. Instead, the group are hurt by its selection of producers and songwriters. En Vogue have decided to work with Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy only occasionally on EV3, choosing to hire such professional songwriters and producers as Babyface, David Foster, Diane Warren and Ivan Matias, who arranged their hit single "Don't Let Go (Love)." At times, these pairings work: Babyface's "Whatever" is funkier than his previous work, and Matias brings a gospel-drenched sensibility to his songs. In the cases of Warren and Foster, they reshape En Vogue as an adult contemporary band, sapping the group of any of their energy or style. Still, there are enough strong moments scattered throughout the album to make it worth the wait. ~ Leo Stanley, All Music Guide
Christopher Bolden (Vocal Arrangement), Ivan Matias (Programming), Andrea Martin (Vocal Arrangement), Adrian "Luke" Sinclair (Programming), Babyface (Producer), En Vogue (Executive Producer), Giuliano Franco (Drum Programming), David Foster (Arranger), Denzil Foster (Keyboards), Bill Ortiz (Trumpet), Babyface (Fender Rhodes), Chris Furham (Tracking), Marlon McClain (Guitar (Electric)), Tommy Martin (Guitar), Mark Coleman (Guitar), Randy Walker (Synthesizer), Thomas McElroy (Drum Programming), Leonard Cetrangolo (Vocals (Background)), Terry Ellis (?), Maxine Jones (?), Cindy Herron Braggs (?), Michael Thompson (Guitar (Electric)), Guzman/Rotterdam Conservatory Orquesta Tipica (Photography), Christopher Bolden (Producer), Ken Kessie (Engineer), Neil Pogue (Mixing), Ivan Matias (Vocal Arrangement), Ivy Skoff (Production Coordination), James Gass (Programming), Thomas McElroy (Vocal Arrangement), Thomas McElroy (Producer), Simon Franglen (Programming), Denzil Foster (Drum Programming), Neil Pogue (Engineer), Martin Terry (Guitar), Dean Gant (Keyboards), Paul Boutin (Mixing Assistant), Giuliano Franco (Producer), Pro-Jay (Producer), Mike "Hitman" Wilson (Assistant Engineer), John Moony (Mixing Assistant), Norbert Stachel (Saxophone), Dennis Bolden (Organ), Kevin Wyatt (Guitar (Bass)), Chris Furham (Engineer), Christopher Bolden (Programming), Blake Eiseman (Engineer), Thomas McElroy (Drum Machine), Preston Crump (Bass), Ken Kessie (Mixing), Alli Biggs (Art Direction), Ivan Matias (Producer), Sylvia Rhone (Executive Producer), Pro-Jay (Programming), Kim Biggs (Art Direction), David Foster (Keyboards), Rudy Haeusermann (Assistant Engineer), Manny Marroquin (Engineer), Lil John (Drums), Denzil Foster (Drum Machine), Gerry Barnes (Bass), Mick Guzauski (Mixing), Marvin "Chanz" Parkman (Piano), Denzil Foster (Producer), Thomas McElroy (Arranger), James Earley (Guitar (Electric)), Paul Boutin (Assistant Engineer), Babyface (Synthesizer), Randy Walker (Programming), Felipe Elgueta (Engineer), James Earley (Bass), Denzil Foster (Vocal Arrangement), Marlon McClain (Guitar (Acoustic)), En Vogue (Vocals (Background)), Steve Counter (Engineer), Organized Noize (Producer), Manny Marroquin (Mixing), Bernard Grobman (Guitar), Babyface (Drum Programming), David Foster (Producer), Leonard Cetrangolo (Prop Design), Thomas McElroy (Keyboard Programming), Denzil Foster (Keyboard Programming), Giuliano Franco (Synthesizer), Thomas McElroy (Keyboards), Andrea Martin (Producer), Denzil Foster (Arranger), Jason Eckl (Guitar), Jah (Rap)
EV3 is the third studio album by En Vogue. Originally called "Friendship" It was their first project that wasn't fully produced by Thomas McElroy & Denzil Foster, the then quartet called on hitmakers Babyface, David Foster, Diane Warren, and Ivan Matias among others to provide the group with a new modern sound.
EV3 was the last album recorded with Dawn Robinson who decided to leave the group for a solo career. Her abrupt departure from En Vogue forced the remaining trio to re-record several of Dawn's original lead vocals, however not every track was re-recorded with Dawn's leads remaining intact on several tracks and her background vocals still appear on every song with the only exception being Does Anybody Hear Me
EV3 spawned two hit singles. The first one, "Whatever" reached gold status in the US. The second one, the ballad "Too Gone, Too Long" was less successful. The giant hit "Don't Let Go (Love)" was also included as a key track on EV3. "Let It Flow" was a possible last single, but plans for a release never came through.
Dawn Robinson's lead vocals still appear on all of the Thomas McElroy & Denzil Foster produced songs, with the only exceptions being Eyes Of A Child (Her background Vocals still remain) & Does Anybody Hear Me which Dawn does not vocal on at all.
