DRU HILL 
Enter The Dru (Island)
Rating: 4 out of 7
By Ann Brown

   Creating exciting new music in the wake of multi-platinum success is nearly an insurmountable task. But the daring R&B/hip-hop-inspired group Dru Hill tries their best to top their platinum single "In My Bed" and the wildly popular "Tell Me," both off the 1996 self-titled debut, with their new sophomore effort, Enter The Dru. Yet Sisqo, Woody, Nokio, and Jazz--who co-wrote and co-produced 13 of the 16 cuts--fall just short of maintaining the hype. Sure, there's the sentimental, Babyface-penned ballad "These Are The Times," which has enough pop flavor mixed with solid soul to make it a multi-chart winner--but the collection contains more than a few throwaway tracks. Surprisingly among them is the David Foster/Diane Warren ballad "What Do I Do With The Love," which unfortunately is much too typical to be a standout. 
   There are cuts, however, that are worthy of a couple hits of the replay button. "This Is What We Do" is one--although the guest artist, rapper Method Man, dominates the cut. The Latin-spiced "How Deep Is Your Love?," the first release from the Rush Hour soundtrack, the longing "Holding You," and the lovely "Beauty" do make Enter The Dru an intriguing journey.