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 singles like "Someone" and sweet grooves like "Rain" and "Here for You." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine