Funky Divas

Rating

Album: Funky Divas
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Runaway Love [E.P. Version]	More Info...
2)	Whatta Man	More Info...
3)	This Is Your Life	More Info...
4)	My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)	More Info...
5)	Hip Hop Lover	More Info...
6)	Free Your Mind	More Info...
7)	Desire	More Info...
8)	Giving Him Something He Can Feel	More Info...
9)	It Ain't Over Till the Fat Lady Sings	More Info...
10)	Give It Up, Turn It Loose	More Info...
11)	Yesterday	More Info...
12)	Hooked on Your Love	More Info...
13)	Love Don't Love You	More Info...
14)	What Is Love	More Info...
15)	Thanks/Prayer	More Info...

Album: Funky Divas
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Runaway Love [E.P. Version]	More Info...
2)	Whatta Man	More Info...
3)	This Is Your Life	More Info...
4)	My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)	More Info...
5)	Hip Hop Lover	More Info...
6)	Free Your Mind	More Info...
7)	Desire	More Info...
8)	Giving Him Something He Can Feel	More Info...
9)	It Ain't Over Till the Fat Lady Sings	More Info...
10)	Give It Up, Turn It Loose	More Info...
11)	Yesterday	More Info...
12)	Hooked on Your Love	More Info...
13)	Love Don't Love You	More Info...
14)	What Is Love	More Info...
15)	Thanks/Prayer	More Info...

Performer Notes

En Vogue: Terry Ellis, Maxine Jones, Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson (vocals).
Additional personnel: Thomas McElroy, Denzil Foster (vocals, keyboards, drum programming); Chuckii Booker (vocals); Wayne Jackson (rap vocals); Jinx Jones (guitar, bass); James "Jinx" Gardner (guitar); Jeffrey McCormick, Les Harris (saxophone); Tony George (trumpet); Chris Mondt (trombone); Michael Fellows (drums); Juan Escovedo, Jon Bendich, Peter Michael (percussion).
Engineers: Michael Semanick, Neil King, Steve Counter.
Recorded at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California.
En Vogue: Dawn Robinson, Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones (vocals).
This video includes interviews with each of the "Funky Divas of Soul."
Personnel: Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson, Maxine Jones, Terry Ellis (vocals, background vocals); Wayne Jackson (rap vocals); Jinx Jones (guitar); Les Harris (saxophone); Tony George (trumpet); Chris Mondt (trombone); Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy (keyboards, drum programming); Michael Fellows (drums); Peter Michael, Juan Escovedo, Jon Bendich (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Ken Kessie.
Recording information: Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA.
Arrangers: Denzil Foster; Thomas McElroy.
FUNKY DIVAS still stands as one of the finest R&B albums of the '90s. With their mixture of old-school soul, funk, contemporary hip-hop edge, cool harmonies, and a sexy, stylish image, En Vogue alighted upon a highly successful formula that they perfected on this sophomore release. But what makes FUNKY DIVAS such a winner, beyond the quartet's skills, is the notably strong material.
The unbelievably catchy smash "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" laid a sassy, in-your-face message over a thumping funk hook , and remains one of En Vogue's finest moments. Their updates of Aretha Franklin's version of "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" and "Free Your Mind" (which borrows the hook from Funkadelic's psychedelic anthem "Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow") were also hits, as was the doo-wop inflected "Give It Up Turn It Loose." Surprisingly, the rest of the material is just as strong, making this, hands-down, the pop quartet's strongest release.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.72) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's."

Spin (12/92, p.69) - Ranked #16 in Spin's list of the "20 Best Albums Of The Year" - "...Rock, reggae, funk, house, rap, ballads--En Vogue didn't just try on a few different hats, it set up a chapeau shop..."

Q (6/92, p.92) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...this quartet have the ability to keep faith with the soul tradition while sounding young and alive throughout..."

Q (4/93, p.120) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Pointers Sisters-style sophisto-soul with a sassy edge...judging by the interview footage punctuating the clips, [the divas] are four perkily individual members..."

Village Voice (3/2/93, p.5) - Ranked #21 in the Village Voice's list of the 40 Best Albums Of 1992.