SWV Albums (5)
What The Critics Say
SWV became one of the hottest American hit-making acts of the 1990s, scoring with a string of smash pop/R&B singles and three hit-laden albums. In 1997 they beefed up their catalog with their holiday offering, A Special Christmas, which turned out to be their final album. The endearing, sleek, soulful set finds the Sisters With Voices covering a sweet selection of holiday standards, and it differs from their previous albums because all three gals handle lead vocals (especially effective on their soaring rendition of "O Holy Night"). There is also a surprising innocence to this record, as if these were the neighborhood girls you'd see at church every weekend, which is all the more interesting because this trio established itself with street-wise, New Jack soul/pop songs. Highlights include the album's sole new song, co-written by the group's Cheyrl "Coko" Gamble," "Christmas Ain't Christmas," the Motown Christmas classic "Give Love on Christmas Day," the deliciously sweet "Silver Bells," "O Holy Night," and their take on "My Favorite Things," which deserves to be resurrected on future Christmas compilations. This album works because they treat the standards with respect and reverence, while still managing to put the SWV stamp on the recordings, and the sole new track is a highlight, instead of a bore, which many contemporary Christmas songs tend to be. A sweet, endearing, soulful set. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With their third album, SWV attempt to break away from the slick urban straitjacket and return to their hip-hop roots. In order to achieve their goal, the group hired a head-spinning array of producers and collaborators -- not only does Sean "Puffy" Combs produce and rap, but Snoop Doggy Dogg, Missy Elliott, Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim, Lil' Caesar, E-40 and Redman all appear on the album. Considering all the extra starpower, it's not all that surprising that SWV occasionally become overwhelmed by their guests, but that doesn't prevent Release Some Tension from being a solid album, particularly when it's propelled by funky sinlges like "Someone" and sweet grooves like "Rain" and "Here for You." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
SWV (Sisters With Voices) electrified the urban contemporary world with It's About Time. Their deep, sensual harmonies, sometimes naughty lyrics and aggressive style immediately struck a responsive chord, particularly among male fans. Their CD shows their versatility, as they handled New Jack tunes, romantic ballads like "It's About Time," and sassy, innuendo-laden fare such as "Blak Pudd'n" and "That's What I Need." Their hits "Weak" and "Right Here" had the same blend of heat and vulnerability that underscore the best En Vogue material, and even though this CD was padded by remixes and repeats, it was still among the finest debuts issued in 1992. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
As a title, New Beginning may be something of an overstatement -- after all, it is only SWV's second album. Nevertheless, the group does take a different approach on New Beginning, backing away from the New Jack grooves that dominated their debut and exploring a more direct, organic R&B vibe. They haven't left hip-hop behind, but they've added a new array of sonic textures that gives their music added depth. But the true strength of New Beginning is the vocal capabilities of SWV -- they can handle smooth soul like "Don't Waste Your Time" as easily as the funk of "Whatcha Need." There may be a couple of weak spots on the album, but the trio's considerable talents make those moments easy to forgive. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
