by Uther Blakwhel

It’s been 16 years since Bell Biv Devoe’s last CD. The release of Three Stripes coincides with the New Edition biopic mini-series that debuted on the B.E.T network this year. Upon looking at the Three Stripes cover art it shows three of the co-founding members of New Edition looking more suave and seasoned on this album cover versus the street look from their previous CD BBD. Bell Biv Devoe also lets you know that they are ready to pick up where they left off from their Poison debut which is evident when you see the return of their sound description quote re-appear on the new record. “Our music is mentally hip-hop smoothed out on the R & B tip with a pop feel appeal to it!”  We haven’t seen this quote since Poison. When I saw the return of this accurate description of their sound I was expecting the return of  Poison pound for pound. Once I started listening to the new album I was originally disappointed. But after listening to  Three Stripes in more detail, I realized that my expectations were too nostalgic and unrealistic. I was too busy focusing on who Bell Biv Devoe was and not who they are now! The new record opens up with a surprising and energetic intro from hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh with “Ready.” It then smoothly glides into “Find A Way” which is a song about making it right with the woman you love and pleading your case for her to give you one more chance.

Ricky sings, “Girl I’ve got a find a way despite all these people” through auto tune which makes his signature vocal sound unrecognizable at first. Ronnie and Mike rap clever and smooth rhymes about their plans to get their queens back in their arms again. The song is catchy and sneaks up on you by the time it’s over.

“I’m Betta” is about how the girl you want is with the wrong guy because he doesn’t treat her right but you will. Ricky steals the show in this song when he sings,  “You never got to worry about the inconsistency to getting all the love you need. You don’t got to cry no more. You don’t got to hurt no more, I’m Betta.”

“Hot Damn” is about the fine girl at the club twerking and dancing.  Nova and Ocean produced “Hot Damn’s” great pop production. Bell Biv Devoe’s lyrics seemed strained when they said,  “Cold as Ben and Jerry let me put you on top you the perfect cherry. You know my back so legendary I’ve been doing this since Moe, Curly and Larry. Hot Damn, Oooh I love it when you twerk that. Hot Damn Oooh girl you do it perfect.”

“All Dat There” is a guilty pleasure about a woman. “Girl I’m about to lose my mind. What you doing with All Dat There. Won’t you break me off sometime. Let me sample some of that good. What you doing with All Dat There?” The song sounds like it should be on a Ro James record and not Bell Biv Devoe. But you can’t help but sing along even when you realize this!

The songs that stick out the most on Three Stripes are “Don’t Go,” “Finally ( featuring SWV),”  “One More Try (featuring Boyz II Men),” “Incredible” and the Erick Sermon of EPMD fame-produced “Run.”

“Run” shows the tables turn in regards to a man that gets close to the woman he loves just to have her get scared and run away because he is getting too close to her heart. Ronnie, Ricky and Mike remind you of why you missed Bell Biv Devoe when you hear “Run.”

“So tell me why you playin’ games I’m a man, what you say?
Speak up, ’cause girl I can’t hear you
Tired of gettin’ 50 percent when I’m near you
Every time I buy you things, you play the game
You run-run-run and you run-run
Can’t you see my heart’s in pain when you run away?
You run-run-run and you run-run
I’m so so sick of this  give me kiss  then you split
Tell me you care, but you keep me time limited
Girl, when you run (you run-run-run, you run-run) “

“One More Try” has another memorable introduction of Bell Biv Devoe by the legendary Don Cornelius from Soul Train. “One More Try” has a great 70’s soul production feel that leaves you looking for the Soul Train line so that you can jump in and dance.

“Incredible” closes the record with a tribute to that lady in your life that is “Incredible” in every way. It sounds and feels like a cool and smooth sequel to William De Vaughn’s soul classic “Be Thankful for What You Got.”

Bell Biv Devoe’s  Three Stripes differs from their previous record  BBD which seemed to focus more on hip-hop without the smoothed out R &B.  Three Stripes gives you a Bell Biv Devoe focused back on hip-hop, pop and soul. The new record does sound a little too modern at times, (Ricky Bell’s auto-tuned voice) but still delivers just enough of their original style when you need it.

Bell Biv Devoe has returned with new music after a 16-year hiatus and the timing is perfect since it coincides with BET’s highly praised New Edition Story. Three Stripes is their new album and here are appearances from some of their peers including Doug E. Fresh, SWV and Boyz II Men. They have released videos for “Run” and “Betta” and they are kicking off their tour on February 10th in Louisiana.

[youtube id=”lRrY2_4AKKs”] Bell Biv Devoe has resurfaced after 15 years with a video for their new single  “Run.” Erick Sermon produced the song that rests heavily on the beat for Biggie Smalls’s “Hypnotize.” Their BET biopic, The New Edition Story, will air in early 2017.