Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

IN THE MAINSTREAM

This was recorded with the original line up shortly before the exit of LeToya and Latavia, leaving Beyonce Knowles in the creative driving seat. This album has really seen the band establish themselves in the charts and also the hearts and minds of R&B fans. Hit singles like 'Bills, Bills, Bills', 'Bug-A-Boo' and 'Say My Name' are familiar and this album takes the girls' music to another level. Can you argue with the seven million people who already own a copy of this album? I don't think so! It's excellent. Thematically it's all about relationships and although there's plenty of sassy lurve, it does attempt to go a bit deeper by discussing the full gamut of relationship issues. The writing's definitely on the wall because the girls really spell out what's happening in modern relationships! For example 'Bills, Bills, Bills' is a riotously funky, tongue-in-cheek, poke-in-the ribs at boyfriends who don't measure up. Top R&B producers like She'kspere, Rodney Jerkins (who produced the innovative 'Say My Name') and Tony Toni Toné's Dwayne Wiggins all give this a fresh sound. There's even an acapella rendition of 'Amazing Grace' to make some of us wonder. With Beyonce and band member Kelly Rowland writing the band's material and recently appearing on the 'His Woman, His Wife' soundtrack album, I'd love to see the girls tearing a leaf out of Mary Mary's book and penning a dancefloor filling piece of praise on the next album.