Product Description

On this follow-up to 1997's EV3 and its panoply of producers that included schlockmeister David Foster and balladeer Babyface, En Vogue reunites with the acclaimed duo of Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy. For its fourth studio album, the trio raises the bar of contemporary R&B by integrating unpredictable classical influences and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross harmonising into its brand of uplifting soul.
The vagariesof romance and relationships are the meat of this sumptuousaural feast, and vocal rounds and snappy arrangements are the driving force behind crackling numbers like "Riddle", and"No No No (Can't Come Back)". Elsewhere En Vogue bridges the gaping chasm between the classical and hip-hop worlds by turning to Bizet's Carmen and a rap from Sol Eklypse for inspiration on the modern urban love tale, "Those Dogs". MASTERPIECE THEATER's centrepiece is the impressive, uncredited "Love Suite", which traces the cycle of a relationship through infatuation, involvement and infidelity. Throughout this piece, Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron and Maxine Jones perform elaborate vocal gymnastics, cleverly invoking shades of Tchaikovsky ("Love You Crazy"), Beethoven ("Sad But True"), and Gilbert & Sullivan ("Love Won't Take Me Out").

Track Listing

1. Riddle
2. No No No (Can't Come Back)
3. Falling In Love
4. Suite Intro
5. Love You Crazy
6. Sad But True
7. Love Won't Take Me Out
8. Whatever Will Be Will Be
9. Suite Outro
10. Beat Of Love
11. Latin Soul
12. Work It Out
13. Those Dogs
14. Number One Man

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #108649 in Music
• Released on: 2000-05-22
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
When En Vogue broke onto the scene (initially with "Hold on", in 1990, then with 1992's Funky Divas), they did it with a democratic blend of future-looking r&b: four powerful voices and a spare-no-expense production budget that updated classic r&b with its blend of sounds and styles. On their fourth album, the group--reduced to a vocal trio after their second album; former EV-member Dawn Robinson unveiled her Lucy Pearl project about the same time as this album was released--switches direction. In a post-Lauryn-Hill world, En Vogue's classic sound no longer sounds so innovative, so on Masterpiece Theater they go classic. The production is still interesting, and even without Robinson, the remaining vocalists (Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron and Maxine Jones) pack a sultry punch. The Middle Eastern feel of "Beat of Love" makes it the perfect cabaret piece for a Casablanca update; "Those Dogs" blends rap into a doo-wop epic; "No No No (Can't Come Back)" is as classy as it is retro; and "Love You Crazy" is built around The Nutcracker Suite's "Dance of the Sugar Plum Faries". Only opener "Riddle" sounds quite like past EV albums, incorporating the burst-sound from "My Lovin'". Despite the title, En Vogue have already made their masterpiece with Funky Divas; this album shows that, despite that, there's still fuel left in the engine. --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews

A True Masterpiece!!!
What i like about En Vogue is they don't try too hard to become like all the other R&B divas, they seem to make music cause they enjoy it and that really shows on this album.
I don't think there is a single bad song on Masterpiece Theatre some have a more modern feel to them and some are more old-school, either way they all sound like classics!!

My Top Tracks:

1. Beat of Love
2. Riddle
3. Latin Soul
4. Love Won't Take Me Out
5. Whatever Will Be, Will Be

Certainly a masterpiece
Well the ladies returned and with what a great album! Not afraid of trying anything new and different En Vogue have yet again shown they can be creative and new at every turn. Starting off with the trademark sound on 'Riddle' the sounds quickly change and they experiment with surpising results. Although to be honest as a very solid EV fan, I wasn't feeling the whole of this album at first it certainly grew on me very quickly, with those powerhouse vocals on 'Love Won't Take Me Out' and 'Sad But True' to the latin flavoured (my fav) 'Latin Soul' and funky 'Work it Out'. Cindy, Maxine & Terry have shown why they are the number 1 female r'n'b group.

the trio at their best.
en vogue, now with only three members, have made a superb job in this album. they took melodies from the greatest artists like betoven, shopen, and many more, and put the funky touch of the "today music". the combination of these great tunes, beats, and the great, moving voices of the three makes this c.d a beautiful album. this is a great album for any en vogue's fan, r'n'b fans, and classical music lovers. the altime favourits, (of mine of course.) are riddle, falling in love, love won't take me out many more that i've seem to forgot, and of course the great song LOVE U CRAZY. in this song the child-ish tune and the catchy beats from today, not to mention their outstanding voices make this one a classic! i love it.

i think this album is so good, it's a must have for every one, and not only theones i mentioned before. there's is something here for anybody!

en vogue forever!