En Vogue Album: “Hold on and Other Hits”

Speaking as a fan of this incredibly talented and versatile group, I can say that I was excited about this 3rd collection. However, upon receiving it, I was thoroughly disappointed.

Let's start with the cover. True, you can't judge a book or cd by it's cover, however, did the manufacturers HAVE to use such a LOW-QUALITY picture. I've seen what Cindy Herron-Braggs looks like, last time I checked her face wasn't crooked. The brown background does NOT help. And why are there a few song titles printed on the cover? The title of the collection itself screams "lazy".

Then we come to the booklet. The first page is the cover, you open it up and see two pages containing a biography (seems like it was written in 2 minutes), credits for the compilation, a description of "Flashback" (the label which produced this compilation with assistance from Elektra). Then back page contains a few advertisements for 8 other cheap compilations.

No information about the songs, not even who wrote or produced them. Granted a fan would know this as they would have the original albums, or at least the other SUPERIOR hits collections, but this neglect to include information is suspect.

Now the actual music on the cd is great! 8 of the 10 songs included were big hits. All 10 songs are still as fresh now as they were when they respectively emerged into the music world. However, where is "My Lovin' (Never Gonna Get It)", "Whatta Man" and "Don't Let Go (Love)"? Three HUGE hits, mysteriously discarded from this collection.

If you want a TRUE overview of how great these ladies were and STILL are (the original four have reunited!), I'd suggest you skip this cheap collection and get either "Best Of En Vogue" (1999) or "The Very Best Of En Vogue" (2001). Both are worth the money, you get more music and both truly honor the women of En Vogue.

I give this collection 3 stars (and that's only because of the music).

When I think of girl groups today like Danity Cane, Destiny's Child, and a lot of the wannabe others, they seem to miss out in having the onetrue thing tht really does mattr, the harmonies in each voice. For classic girl groups like The Supremes, and The pointer Sisters, they've thrived and made a unoque appeal that has lasted for so many decades, and broke several walls down. That aso could be said for En Vogue too. When they brok out in the 90's, they brought out a unique sens of soul, funk, hip hop, and R&B. Although they've tried to prove they still have the right stuff, in the late 90's after dawn Robinson exited the group, they haven't duplicated their success. Now, another hits record is out, and the question is, are you going to actualy hold on to it?

En Vogue's Hold On, is a 2005 budget greatest hits record, that really tried to draw people into the success that these gals developed in the 90's. Unfortunately, it is what the collection here also lacks, definitive hits. Although you do have some of their hits here like their breakthrough hit Hold On, Give It Up / Turn It Loose, Lies, and their hard rock fused Free Your Mind. Sadly, there are too many good songs that weren't really included, especially My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It), Whatta Man with Salt N' Pepa, and Don't Let Go Love. On top of that, the record doesn't actually thrive on the post departure era of Dawn Robinson either. only one track was highlighted here, Whatever.

All in all. I really don't recommend Hold On and Other Hits by En Vogue. There is really too much, too gone, too long. Instead, I really recommend their 1998 greatest hits album instead for newcomers, and for anybody who really wants to free your mind.

Album Cover: B

Songs: C-

Price: D+

Remastering: C

Overall: D+

1. "Hold On" 10/10

2. "Lies" 10/10

3. "Free Your Mind" 10/10

4. "Love Don't Love You" 9/10

5. "Runaway Love" 10/10

6. "Give It Up, Turn It Loose" 10/10

7. "Whatever" 10/10

8. "Yesterday" 8/10

9. "Watin' On You" 10/10

10. "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" 9.5/10

This compilation is the third compilation of En Vogue songs. This compilation is meant as it sampler for those who don't know En Vogue's music or for those know of them and wants to sample some of their songs before getting their orginal albums. The vocals from Dawn, Terry, Cindy and Maxine are fabulous, souful, sassy and refined throughout. So, 5 stars for the vocals, production, songwriting and songs and 3 stars for not including "Don't Let Go (Love)." This has the hits but not many of them. My favourites hits from "Lies", "Runaway", "Free Your Mind", "Love Don't Love You" (which is a good Ultimatum song),"Give It Up, Turn It Loose", "Whatever" and "Watin' On You." "Yesterday" is a admirable cover of a Beatles songs which is a cover done very well, but not among my fav. En Vogue songs. The smooth and souful cover of Areatha Frankin's 1974 hit, "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" is quite pleasant. Overall, a decent budget compilation and a good start for those unfimilar with En Vogue.

IF YOU LOVE DESTINY'S CHILD.THEN YOU WILL LOVE EN VOGUE.

THEY HAVE THE SONG'S TO DANCE TO.

THEY HAVE THE SLOW~JAM'S TO GET ROMANTIC TO.

BUT IN DESTINY'S CHILD BEYONCE STEAL'S THE SHOW.

IN EN VOGUE YOU WILL LOVE ALL THE MEMBERS THE SAME.

AND IN THE EARLY 90'S THEY WERE A HIT MAKEING MACHINE.

SO PICK THIS CD UP AND CHECK OUT THE 90'S AT IT'S FINEST

{EN VOGUE}.THE ULTIMATE GIRL/WOMEN GROUP OF THE DECADE PAST.

[OLD-SCHOOL IS THE BEST SCHOOL IN MUSIC]

{THE SLOW~JAM MASTER} NEW YORK