On their million-selling debut single "No More (Baby I'm a Do Right)," female trio
3LW ("Three Little Women") leapt to the forefront with a fresh sound that deftly mixes hip-hop/R&B and pop. It's included on their self-titled debut album which has a sweet undercurrent of old-school craftsmanship. That is not to say that
3LW is retro; they're surrounded by melodically inventive uses of MIDI-based music. Standouts are "Is You Feelin' Me," "More Than Friends (That's Right)," "Crush on You," and the tender ballads "Curious," the inspiring "Ocean," and "I'm Gonna Make You Miss Me." The group's strong vocals and an overall adventurous vibe supplied by the album's producers and songwriters makes
3LW a pleasure. ~ Ed Hogan