Dru Hill Proves That Soul Still Has Heart

**** DRU HILL

“Enter the Dru”

University/Island Black Music

For a true classic soul connoisseur, it’s easy to go the knee-jerk route and suggest that the genre has seen better days. It’s a common perception that there aren’t any new groups around to go toe to toe with such standard-bearers as the Temptations, the O’Jays or the Isley Brothers.

One listen to Dru Hill should lay that notion to rest. Hits like “Tell Me” and “In My Bed” from Dru Hill’s 1997 debut album sounded as if they had been snatched from the old school songbooks of the O’Jays. On its new album, the Baltimore-based group delivers a package that’s of equal quality.

It’s always frustrating to hear great voices squandered on third-rate material, but Dru Hill doesn’t waste its time on songs that stint on muscle and heart. The lyrics might be more explicit than those of the Temptations’ era, but anyone who has waded through the Starr report can probably handle them.

It’s tough to point out any highlights on “Enter,” because everything is worth a listen. For doubters who still believe that R&B; isn’t as strong and compelling as it used to be, welcome to the new school of Dru Hill.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.