Welcome to THE MCP THROWBACK - another new section here at MiddleChild Promotions! This is the spot where we take it back a few years, and focus on an classic album, single, or movie. What did or didn't you like about it? It is good enough to be a considered a "classic"? Let us know!

EnVogue - "Funky Divas"
Release Date: March 28, 1992

SINGLES

1. "My Lovin'(You're Never Gonna Get It)"
2. "Givin Him Something He Can Feel"
3. "Free Your Mind"
4. "Give It Up, Turn It Loose"
5. "Love Don't Love You"

"Funky Divas" was EnVogue's second album which was released in 1992. The album became their best selling LP to-date, shifting over 5 million copies worldwide. The lead single "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" became an instant hit, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard's Hot 100 and No.4 in the UK. The accompanying video for "My Lovin'" won 2 MTV Video Music Awards.

The second single, a cover of Aretha Franklin's "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (from the Sparkle soundtrack), also became a Top 10 hit in the US Hot 100 (and also their 5th No.1 single in the US R&B listings). Another Franklin/Sparkle song, "Hooked on Your Love", is also present.

The third single, the rock-infused "Free Your Mind", became another international hit (Top 10 US, Top 20 UK). The video for "Free Your Mind" was considered ground-breaking for many,[who?] and won no less than 3 MTV Video Music Awards in 1993.

By the time the fourth single, "Give It Up Turn It Loose", was released in early 1993, the Funky Divas LP was already certified three times Platinum in the US by the RIAA. A fifth single, "Love Don't Love You", was also released and peaked inside the US Top 40.

Funky Divas remains En Vogue's signature L.P. A second edition containing the later hits "Runaway Love" and "Whatta Man" was released in the UK in 1994.

CED: I absolutely LOVE this album! It's definitely one of my favorites! When this album came out, I was already a big fan of EnVogue because of their debut album, but when the "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It") dropped for this album, I became a HUGE fan! I played this album out...and still play it! I like every song on this album, but "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" is without a doubt my favorite. I'm not quick to call any album a "classic", but I think "Funky Divas" definitely qualifies.

RoJay: That's right, Ced. "Never Gonna Get It" is one of those songs you hear today and it takes you BACK! I remember watching them perform it on Saturday Night Live for the first time. This album is 16 years old and still knocks. EnVogue is no doubt the best girl group to ever do it! I remember being so in love with Terry Ellis…my first official crush. My favorites would have to be "Give It Up, Turn It Loose", "Hip Hop Lover" and "Giving Him Something He Can Feel". I bet everyone remembers that video! Ayyyy

CED: : I agree! I truly think they set a new standard for girl groups. Even today, when you heard them sing, you KNOW it's EnVogue singing. Doesn't matter if it's R&B, pop, rock, gospel, whatever...they sound great at all of 'em! I love how they switched it up and had a rock vibe going on with "Free Your Mind". And y'all know usually don't compare artists and all that, but s much as I LOVED the original Destiny's Child, I truly they had a edge on them overall. Even Dawn knows EnVogue is hot! She's left the group about 17 times, but she always to come back...and I love it!

RoJay: Yes suh! They are the original trendsetters. Destiny's Child wanted to be them...that's all! :)

Jamaur: I truly think that EnVogue did what a lot of artists are not doing these days, which is provide a quantity of hits paired with quality performances. I can remember jamming this album as a young child and thinking they were great, but it wasn't until the video for "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" emerged that I thought, "Wow they are really doing something that no other artists are doing," and to this day other artists still haven’t quite caught up. In addition, one of my all time favorite tracks from this disk is "Give It Up, Turn It Loose." I honestly think they were the perfect femme fatals of 90's R&B and I miss them-it's good to see that after a few lineup changes that the original four "Funky Divas" are back in stride. Ced, this was an EXCELLENT PICK!

IAN: Now I am a lil too young for this throwback, but EnVogue is one of those groups that are truly unique. I love there voices and the image the portray...I am a big fan of girl groups...I wasn’t really into music at this age. We are gonna have to pick a throwback I know something about. But EnVogue is one of the best that ever did it...

Terrell: I think En Vogue is definitely one of kind as a group. I never really got into their albums like that, but you can't deny their voices. I liked their singles a lot though. I'd like to see them record another album together, just to see what'd they'd come up with.

CED: Children...
 

What do YOU think of EnVogue's "Funky Divas"?
Is it good enough to be consider a "classic" or not? What are your favorite tracks? Let us know HERE and on the forum!