Masterpiece Theatre | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 23, 2000 | |||
Recorded | September 1999 – March 2000 | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Label | Elektra | |||
Producer |
| |||
En Vogue chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Masterpiece Theatre | ||||
|
Masterpiece Theatre is the fourth studio album by American recording group En Vogue, released worldwide by Elektra Records on May 23, 2000. [1] It marked the band's debut with Elektra, as well as their only release following their departure from longtime label Eastwest Records. Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones worked exclusively with regular collaborators Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy on the album who made heavy use of samples from classical music and traditional pop music to construct songs for Masterpiece Theatre, with its title alluding to the same-titled American drama anthology television series, best known for presenting adaptations of a mix of contemporary and classic novels and biographies.
Upon its release, Masterpiece Theatre received mixed reviews from critics, who acclaimed the group for their vocal performances on the songs but were divided by the overall sound of the album. A commercial disappointment, it reached number 33 on Billboard 's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 67 on the Billboard 200, becoming En Vogue's first album not to enter the top ten on either chart in the United States. Masterpiece Theatre saw similar success in international territories, where it reached the top thirty in Germany and Switzerland only, resulting in the release of no further singles next to "Riddle" and their departure from Elektra Records.
In 1997, En Vogue released their third album EV3 . The band's first album as a trio after the departure of original member Dawn Robinson, it received mixed reviews from critics, but while it became a success it failed to live up to full commercial expectation. [2] In preparation for their next album, remaining members Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones reteamed with their founders, duo Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy to work on new songs. With the intention of recording "off-guard" material, [3] the producers took famous classical music from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Sergei Rachmaninoff, mixing them with contemporary R&B and pop elements. [4] Originally set to be titled Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Cool, the album was later retitled Masterpiece Theatre, alluding to the same-titled drama anthology television series, known for presenting adaptations of contemporary and classic novels and biographies. [3] An accompanying sampler album, released in advance of the album's release, included the songs "It's On" and "I Love You More", the latter of which interpolated Nino Rota's "The Godfather Theme." [5] However, due to uncleared sampling, both songs were excluded from the final revised album release. [6]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [7] |
Robert Christgau | [8] |
Entertainment Weekly | C [4] |
Los Angeles Times | [9] |
NME | 7/10 [10] |
Q | [11] |
Rolling Stone | [12] |
Spin | 6/10 [13] |
Masterpiece Theatre received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Q called the album "magnificent" and was positive towards its approach by integrating unpredictable classical, adding that "cleverly, they have spotted that classical music is more versatile than George Clinton and James Brown interpolations." [11] AllMusic editor Stacia Proefrock gave Masterpiece Theatre four out of five stars and considered the album an improvement over previous album EV3 (1997), calling it "clever and classy at the same time." Commenting on En Vogue's progression with Masterpiece Theatre, she noted that "the silky-smooth harmonies are still there, combined with forceful solos and sassy and intelligent lyrics." [7] British music journalism magazine NME declared the sample-heavy results as "spectacular and deranged and even once the bow-tie operatics are over they stay inventive [...] Their absence of attitude in the lyrics lets them sound formulaic [...] but nobody can beat En Vogue for vocal technique, and the rhapsodic experiments are neo-camp genius." [10]
Rolling Stone wrote that with Masterpiece Theatre "En Vogue still put on one hell of an act," noting that "the trio can be both polished and down-to-earth," while "lacing smooth R&B tracks with feisty lyrics." [12] Billboard journalist Michael Paoletta commented that the album takes "the listener on a journey paved with classic soul rhythms and sleek pop melodies." While complimenting it for its vocal performances and good fun, he also stated that the album "feels a bit restrained in the age of freewheeling, tooth-suckin' tunes", that would make "it never really as much fun as it should be." [14] In his review for Spin , Keith Harris felt that the album still "fulfills its campy designs." [13] Less impressed, Matt Diehl, writing for Entertainment Weekly , found that "replacing their funky-diva exuberance with artsy pretension (a riff on "Moonlight Sonata") and don’t-forget-us samples (from their big hit "Hold On"), En Vogue’s fourth foray Masterpiece Theater is anything but a masterpiece." [4] Similarly, Connie Johnson from The Los Angeles Times concluded that "ever since the departure of member Dawn Robinson, En Vogue hasn't sounded like the girl-group innovator it was for much of the '90s – and this isn't the comeback album it needs to be." [9]
In the United States, Masterpiece Theatre debuted and peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at number 67 on the Billboard 200 in the issue dated June 10, 2000. This marked En Vogue's lowest peak for an album by then and was a considerable drop from their previous effort EV3 (1997) which had opened at number eight on the Billboard 200 to their biggest first week sales by then. [2] Internationally, the album failed to enter the top 40 on the majority of the few charts it appeared on. It however, reached number 22 and number 28 of the German and Swiss Albums Charts, where it ranks among the band's highest peaks in both countries. [15] [16] In Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, where previous albums had charted to certified sales, Masterpiece Theatre became En Vogue's first album to miss the album charts. [17]
The album was preceded by lead single "Riddle", which was issued to radio in a remixed form produced by Norwegian production duo Stargate. [18] While it became a top thirty hit in several European countries, including Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, "Riddle" failed to impact elsewhere, resulting in lackluster sales of its parent album and the release of no further singles after Elektra Records refused to release the album’s second single, "Love U Crazay," after the weak commercial performance of the project. [19] Instead, En Vogue were soon dropped from Elektra Records, with subsequent albums such as The Gift of Christmas (2002) and Soul Flower (2004) released on independent labels. [20]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Riddle" |
| 5:09 | |
2. | "No, No, No (Can't Come Back)" |
|
| 3:09 |
3. | "Falling in Love" |
|
| 4:08 |
4. | "Suite (Intro)" (featuring Russell Gatewood) | Gatewood |
| 0:26 |
5. | "Love U Crazay" (featuring Kamil Marzette) |
|
| 4:19 |
6. | "Sad But True" |
|
| 4:08 |
7. | "Love Won't Take Me Out" |
|
| 4:59 |
8. | "Whatever Will Be, Will Be" |
|
| 4:43 |
9. | "Suite (Outro)" (featuring Russell Gatewood) | Gatewood |
| 0:05 |
10. | "Beat of Love" |
| 4:13 | |
11. | "Latin Soul" |
|
| 4:32 |
12. | "Work It Out" |
| 4:27 | |
13. | "Those Dogs" (featuring Bobby McFerrin & Eklypse) |
|
| 4:09 |
14. | "Number One Man" |
| 4:39 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
15. | "Riddle" (Red Zone Remix Edit) |
|
| 4:08 |
Notes
Sample credits
|
|
Chart (2000) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [21] | 49 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [22] | 56 |
French Albums (SNEP) [23] | 56 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [15] | 22 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [16] | 28 |
UK Albums (OCC) [24] | 139 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [25] | 17 |
US Billboard 200 [26] | 67 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [27] | 33 |
En Vogue is an American vocal girl group whose original lineup consisted of singers Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones. Formed in Oakland, California, in 1989, En Vogue reached No. 2 on the US Hot 100 with the single "Hold On", taken from their 1990 debut album Born to Sing. The group's 1992 follow-up album Funky Divas reached the top 10 in both the US and UK, and included their second US number two hit "My Lovin' " as well as the US top 10 hits "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" and "Free Your Mind".
R&G : The Masterpiece is the seventh studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 16, 2004, by Doggystyle Records, making its first on Star Trak Entertainment and Geffen Records. Recording sessions took place from November 2003 to September 2004 in each of several recording studios. The album's production was handled from The Neptunes, The Alchemist, Lil Jon, Hi-Tek, Warryn Campbell, and L.T. Hutton, among others.
Funky Divas is the second studio album by American recording group En Vogue, released by Atlantic Records division East West on March 24, 1992, in the United States. Conceived after the success of their Grammy Award–nominated debut album Born to Sing (1990), En Vogue reteamed with their founders Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy to work on the entire album. As with Born to Sing, the pair borrowed from contemporary R&B, new jack swing, and hip hop, while also incorporating classic soul, blues and doo-wop elements, particularly on its on two Sparkle cover versions, as well as, in the case of "Free Your Mind," heavy metal sounds. The album became the quartet's second album to earn a Grammy Award nomination in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals category, while winning the American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album and the Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year at the 1993 Soul Train Music Awards.
Terry Lynn Ellis is an American singer. She is best known as a founding member of the R&B/pop vocal group En Vogue which formed in 1989.
The Hard Way is the only album from American hip hop trio 213, which consisted of Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg. It was released on August 17, 2004, under Doggystyle Records, G-Funk Entertainment, Dogg Foundation, TVT Records.
Maxine Jones, is an American singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman, best known as a founding member of the R&B/pop group En Vogue, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. She sang lead vocals on the group's signature singles "My Lovin' " and "Don't Let Go (Love)", both of which garnered international success and sold over a million copies. Throughout her career, Jones has sold over 20 million records with En Vogue. Her work has earned her several awards and nominations, including two American Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, four MTV Video Music Awards, and four Soul Train Music Awards.
Cynthia Ann Herron, professionally known as Cindy Herron and sometimes credited as Cindy Herron–Braggs is an American singer and actress. Herron is best known as a founding member of the R&B/pop group En Vogue, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. She sang lead vocals on the group's first single "Hold On", which garnered mainstream success and sold over a million copies. Despite being absent from the group during certain periods, Herron and fellow group member Terry Ellis are the only original members to appear on all of the group's album releases to date. In the 1980s, Herron began her career as an actress, making her debut appearance in Up and Coming as "Valerie".
Grand Champ is the fifth studio album by American rapper DMX. It was released on September 16, 2003 by The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and Ruff Ryders Entertainment. The album was produced by multiple producers, including Swizz Beatz, Dame Grease, Kanye West, and No I.D. It features guest appearances from 50 Cent, Cam'ron, Eve, Styles P, Monica, and Jadakiss, among others.
No Way Out is the debut studio album by American rapper Puff Daddy & The Family. It was released on July 22, 1997 by Arista Records and Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Entertainment. The album's crediting of the Family references the guest appearances from his label-mates at Bad Boy Records.
Anarchy is the fourth studio album by American rapper and record producer Busta Rhymes, released on June 20, 2000, by Flipmode Records and Elektra Records. It comes after the release of The Coming, When Disaster Strikes and Extinction Level Event . The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 164,000 copies. The album would later be certified Platinum by the RIAA. This was Busta's final album with Elektra Records.
Soul Flower is the sixth studio album by the American recording group En Vogue. Released through 33rd Street and Funkigirl Records and distributed by Bayside Entertainment on February 24, 2004 in the United States, the album marked the band's debut with the label as well as their first full-length release to feature vocals by new band member Rhona Bennett who had joined remaining founding members Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron the year before following the departure of Amanda Cole, resulting into the partial re-recording of several songs on Soul Flower that Cole had originally lent her voice to.
Street Dreams is the second studio album by American rapper Fabolous. It was released on March 4, 2003, by Desert Storm Records and Elektra Records. Fabolous worked with a variety of producers on the album, including DJ Clue, Heavy D, Just Blaze, Rick Rock, Timbaland, Trackmasters, and Kanye West. Guest vocalists on Street Dreams include Lil' Mo, Mike Shorey, Paul Cain, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Ashanti, and Mary J. Blige as well as Styles P, Jadakiss, M.O.P., P. Diddy, and Jagged Edge.
"Don't Let Go (Love)" is a song by American R&B group En Vogue. It was written by Ivan Matias, Andrea Martin, and Marqueze Etheridge, and produced by Organized Noize for the Set It Off soundtrack (1996), also appearing on the group's third album, EV3 (1997). The song was the group’s last single and music video to feature member Dawn Robinson and was En Vogue's biggest international single, making it to the top 10 in several countries. According to Billboard, the single ranked as the 83rd most successful single of the 1990s.
"Whatever" is a song by American female vocal group En Vogue. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Keith Andes, and Giuliano Franco for the group’s third studio album, EV3 (1997), while production was helmed by Edmonds, featuring additional production by Franco. Selected and released as the album's second single, it was the final single from EV3 to precede the release of its parent album. "Whatever" reached the top 10 in Canada and on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart while peaking within the top 20 in Finland, the United Kingdom, and on the Billboard Hot 100. "Whatever" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over 500,000 units.
"Too Gone, Too Long" is a song by American R&B vocal group En Vogue. Written by Diane Warren and produced by longtime collaborator David Foster, it was recorded for their third album, EV3 (1997). A power ballad that blends pop and contemporary R&B elements, it was selected as the album's third and final single and reached number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked within the top twenty of the UK Singles Chart and became the group's final top twenty hit there.
"Riddle" is a song recorded by American R&B group En Vogue. It was written by Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy, along with band members Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, and Terry Ellis, for their fourth studio album Masterpiece Theater (2000), while production was helmed by Foster & McElroy. An angry mid-tempo song about a sneaking, cheating lover, "Riddle" is built around a clapping game motif, and interpolates the band's 1992 song "My Lovin' ." Lyrically, it has the protagonist revealing her feelings about discovering that her love interest is having an affair with someone else over the course of the week.
EV3 is the third studio album by American female vocal group En Vogue. It was released by East West Records on June 17, 1997, in the United States. Recorded after a lengthy break during which the group members became mothers or put out solo records, the album was En Vogue's first project to include a diverse roster of collaborators including credits from Babyface, David Foster, Diane Warren, Andrea Martin, Ivan Matias, and Organized Noize along with regular contributors Foster & McElroy. It marked their first album without Dawn Robinson, who decided to leave the group late into the recording of EV3 to focus on her solo career. Her absence meant much of the album had to be rerecorded to account for En Vogue's altered sound.
This is the discography of American pop/R&B quartet En Vogue who began their career in early 1990s. Their discography includes seven studio albums, two EPs, 28 singles—four as featured artists, and 21 music videos on their former record labels Atlantic, East West, Elektra, Discretion, and 33rd Street.
The Gift of Christmas is fifth studio album and the Christmas album by American female recording group En Vogue, released on October 8, 2002 by Discretion Enterprises following their departure from Elektra Records. Produced and arranged by long time collaborators Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster, featuring additional production by Timothy Eaton, it is the group's first Christmas album and their only record to feature vocals from Amanda Cole who remained two years with the group. The Gift of Christmas features original Christmas tunes as well as cover versions of classic holiday songs.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is the fifth studio album by American rapper Logic. The album was announced on March 19, 2019, with a video for the album's title track. It was released on May 10, 2019, by Def Jam Recordings and Visionary Music Group. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind was Logic's second release in less than two months, following Supermarket in March, which served as a soundtrack for the novel of the same name.