Release Some Tension

Unlike SWV's sophomore entry — which was stifled by too many vocal rearrangements and overuse of a funky-yodel gimmick that was the R&B lick of 1996 — their third effort, Release Some Tension, finds the sistas lifting their voices with rollicking dexterity and torchy soul, returning to what got them their multi-platinum status. Hip-hop phenoms Sean ''Puffy'' Combs, Missy Elliott, and Redman add street cred and pop velocity. B+