After 2 platinum CDs on 1996's "Dru Hill" and 1998's "Enter The Dru", it seemed like nothing could stop this successful group. They had a way of making slow jams that made them one of my favorite current r&b groups. Songs like "April Showers", "All Alone", "5 Steps", "We're Not Making Love No More", "You're My Everything", "Beauty" and "What Are We Gonna Do" are still in my heavy rotation today. For some reason, despite all the success, there seemed to be tension within the group. Woody would leave the group to pursue a gospel career and Sisqo and the rest of the group signed a deal with Def Soul, once relations between them and their former label Island Black Music had soured. Sisqo dropped his debut "Unleash The Dragon" and with the success of the infamous "Thong Song", you would have thought that Dru Hill would be over for good. However, even after the release of another Sisqo solo CD, "Return Of The Dragon" and the release of Woody's gospel CD, Dru Hill has managed to release their 3rd CD and their 1st Def Soul release, "Dru World Order". Dru Hill also shows up with a 5th member Scola, who was a local talent from Baltimore who was added to the group. Their 1st single, "I Should Be" is vintage Dru Hill. They prove that although they haven't recorded a CD in over 4 years, that they still know how to belt those romantic harmonies of old. The clearest example of what I mean is on the best song on this CD, in my opinion, "I Do (Millions)". Jazz gets things started and this song is right up there with "Beauty" and "April Showers" as my favorite Dru Hill slow jams of all time. Dru Hill is at their best when they keep the tempo slow. "I Love You", which should be the next single, has the fellas speaking about having to deal with a woman that they have done wrong in the past that they would like to be with now that doesn't see things the same way. "Never Stop Loving You" has Jazz, along with Scola, taking place where he left off with "Here With Me" and "Love Again" with Jill Scott. In this song, he is saying no matter how bad the situation was with the woman he was with, that he will always love her no matter who she decides to be with. He should be the next member who is allowed to take the solo route. You would think that this is a flawless CD, but unfortunately, that is not the case. On "No Doubt" and "On Me" with Noreaga it sounds like Dru Hill got a late night pass to the club as these two dance tracks are clearly out of place on "Dru World Order". Just when you think the mediocrity is over, Dru Hill makes a religious song out of Jodeci's "My Heart Belongs 2 U". You might think this is impossible, but when you listen to the CDs last track after "My Angel", you will be clearly disappointed. Throughout the hits and few misses, diehard Dru Hill fans will be glad that the group + Scola has reunited. Scola does a fine job on all of his verses and adds even more harmony, if that's possible, to the group. Although, it doesn't seem that the group has demonstrated too much growth after a 4 year hiatus, they clearly are at their best when they stick to romantic slow jams and midtempo songs. Other songs worth checking out are the midtempo "If I Could" and "Men Always Regret". Overall, it's good to see that Dru Hill has returned and their core fans will not be disappointed.

James' Top 5

1) I Do (Millions)

Dru Hill comes back after a long break to break another cd off on us. They come back with that familar sound with a few new changes and a new member(His name is Scola). How is it this time around? Very solid album. They didnt get too experimental but stayed close to that classic sound while branching off just a little. Songs I was feeling?

Love/Hate -- Tight intro that really shows how much they can sing....the new meber can really sing good too.

Xstacy Jones -- Tight slow jam with them explaning some things to the possible "one" for the night.

I should be -- One of my favorite songs here. Classic Dru here saying they should be the one.

If I could -- This song is one of the tightest songs on the album...should be the next single. Hip/hop R+B song with good lyrics and good flow.

Men Always Regret

I do Millions -- A song with them taking retrospect on how they made it and how fortunate they are and blessed. Nice song with a gospel feel to it.

Overall they came strong for this album although they didnt bring that much new flavor compared to their last cd. They have all gone through a lot trying to do solo projects and still are

I expected something better from the group. The album was okay. I purchsed it (used thankfully from Amazon.com) because I really liked one song in particular. The songs that were supposed to be upbeat could have been left off the album, and some of the other slower songs, left much to be desired. Scola did add something to the Dru Hill harmony, but aside of that I was not all that impressed.

The songs I enjoyed the most:

I have got to say this is by far the best album I heard this year... My boys have done it again... I am so proud of them Keep up the good work :-)

Since 1996 when I was in 10th Grade I have been a fan of the Dru Hill Family. The guys came on the scene as young upstarts and really may be the most talented R & B group since Jodeci or Boyz II Men. Ego's appear to have gotten in the way of the groups chemistry but the guys came back strong with a added member to show that these brothers could unite to make a hell of an album. Dru Hill are best when they croon and they have other writers and producers behind them. There early work had great production by Keith Sweat and Babyface and a new ear would have been great. The Bryan Cox track "If I Could" may the most overlooked song but it is awesome. The two up-tempo tracks (sisqo's influence) could have been over looked but overall the 2nd best Dru Hill album behind their debut "Enter the Dru"