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Released: 23rd February 2004.

Despite being one of the biggest selling female R&B groups of all time, En Vogue have been through a series of ups and downs since their 2000 release "Masterpiece Theatre". However, it is now 2004 and Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron and new member Rhona Bennet are ready to take the world by storm again. Or are they?

"Soul Flower" showcases yet another change of driection, as the group have taken the neo-soul route, which translates into a lack of instant classics, such as "Free Your Mind" and "Don't Let Go (Love)". That is not to say that the album doesn't have its highlights.

The buzz single, "Losin' My Mind", adopts a rather unusual fanfare influence, which works surprisingly well with the lead vocals of the new member Rhona. The official first single, "Ooh Boy", offers a funky disco groove.

No En Vogue album would be complete without those traditional ballads, such as "Dissed Him" and "I Do Love You (Piece Of My Love)". Other highlights include the Neptunes-style "Heaven", the heart-warming "New Day Callin'", and the incredibly sexy "Million Different Ways".

Although it would be difficult to deny their vocal talents, "Soul Flower" is definitely not En Vogue's best album to-date. It lacks the commerical sound of their 1990 debut "Born To Sing", the diversity of "Funky Divas", and the vocal gymnastics of "Masterpiece Theatre". On the other hand, no-one is really expecting this album to be a runaway success, as "Soul Flower" is more of an introduction to the newly evolved En Vogue, who will always remain as one of music's greatest success stories.

(Gary Wong)

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