Combining classic and robust girl group harmonies with elements of high-tech funk and hip-hop,
En Vogue has been one of the most distinctive and appealing R&B acts of the 1990s. One can make all kinds of comparisons --
the Shirelles,
Martha & the Vandellas,
Honey Cone,
First Choice -- but there's no denying that
En Vogue has a richly appealing sound all its own. The Oakland quartet had taken the R&B world by storm in 1991, when East West sought to cash in on the success of its debut album,
Born to Sing, with this generally enjoyable, though not essential, collection of remixes. While all of the songs themselves are superb, the remixes (done by house music heroes
Frankie Knuckles and
Steve "Silk" Hurley and hip-hop producer
Marley Marl, among others) range from inspired to pedestrian. "Strange" and "You Don't Have to Worry" take on a whole new life in a house setting, whereas
Marl's remix of "Hold On" is a disappointment, relying on one tired hip-hop cliché after another. Interestingly, East West classifies this CD (which is primarily for hardcore fans) as an EP, although it's about as long as a vinyl LP. ~ Alex Henderson