Sisters with style, sisters with rhythm and sisters with attitudes could have easily been replacements for SWV, whose three-letter moniker stands for Sisters with Voices.
The group composed of three young ladies (Cheryl "Coko" Gamble, Tamara "Taj" Johnson and Leanne "Lelee" Lyons) have continually impressed their listeners with their simple yet heart-felt ballads and their musical messages about the joys of being in love, the hurt of breaking up and the pleasures of sex.
Dating back to 1993, the group has had an amazing musical evolution.
"It's about Time," their debut album, featured "Weak" which skyrocketed to the top of the R&B charts.
Following on the heels of "Weak" was "Human Nature," a remix-of-sorts of a Michael Jackson's tune and the scandolous "Downtown" a track which served as an sex educational piece for men who wanted to find the "way to SWV's love."
Although "It's About Time" proved to be a R&B powerhouse, there was much criticism. The album only showcased the musical talents of only one of the group's singer, Graves, the beats were too simple and the lyrics too formulaic.
The group then released "New Beginning," an album which drew on the talents of the entire trio. Some of the album's tracks were produced by some of the bigger talents within the R&B industry.
With "ReleaseSome Tension," the group is making a full-fledged step in the hip-hop industry. The album features such industry mainstays as Snoop Doggy Dogg and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott and the electric wizardry of the day like samples and souped-up bass lines.
"Someone," the first track from the album, features Bad Boy entertainer and rapper, Sean "Puffy" Combs. Alongside the sleek jeep beat and a sampling from the Notorious B.I.G., the trio sings about the need for love and the search for that someone special. They sing: "Someone that I can believe/ someone that can satisfy me/ I need love."
"Can We," already a hit since its release on the "Booty Call" movie, soundtrack highlights the talents of the Supa Dupa Fly rapper, Elliott.
The song invites its listeners to "get kinky tonight" and describes a night of seduction. Already enjoying much success, the single is one of the many highligths on the album.
Other notable tracks from the "Release the Tension" include "Love Like This" featuring a riff first sampled from Lil' Kim and the lyrical word play of rapper Lil' Caesar and the last track "Gettin' Funky," showcasing "Gin and Juice" drinker Snoop Doggy Dogg.
With the addition of such high-wattage stars as Foxxy Brown and Puff Daddy, their songs are more marketable and better. However, the album in general suffers from what SWV has tried so hard to combat: simplicity. For the group to grow, they need to strengthen their vocal talents, increase their musical repertoire and strive for more rhythms and beats over lyrics and complexity.
