INDRUPENDENCE DAY

Recording information: Dragons Lair Studios; Jenny Scott Studios; JNM Studios, Atlanta, GA; Wirlwide Studios, Atlanta, GA. Photographer: Rishele Ellison. Eight years after Dru World Order, Dru Hill return with their literally hard-fought fourth album -- a process documented on the Centric series Keith Sweat's Platinum House. With Woody and Scola out of the group, Sisq?, Nokio, and Jazz are joined by Tao. The vocal arrangements on Dru World Order often sounded cluttered. Now that the group is back to being a quartet, there's greater clarity, and Tao complements the sound of the original members while adding a new dimension with a higher register. Despite Dru Hill's lengthy absence, not much of an adjustment was necessary for them to remain contemporary. Past collaborators Nate Mooring and Wirlie Morris, along with Jason Scott, divide the production duties. The sound is mainstream R&B circa 2010, albeit on a smaller budget. Nothing trumps any given song from the group's string of Top Ten singles -- these voices could have used some better material -- but the album will likely please most of the fan base, as it is a rather skillful update of the familiar. ~ Andy Kellman