Faith Evans: Something About Faith

The former first lady of Bad Boy and Capitol returns with a retro set of the kind of gospel-voiced hip-hop soul that dominated the late '90s and drove Evans' hit run. The veteran guests and producers on her latest are benchmarks, too, including Snoop, Raekwon, Redman, Mike City, Malik Pendleton, Chucky Thompson, and Kelly Price in her first reunion with Evans since "Heartbreak Hotel." Salaam Remi delivers Evans a fiercely updated playing field with the atmospheric drum-driven "The Love In Me." Kaytwo, on the deelish "I Still," and Ibe on the co-produced "Can't Stay Away," featuring her mini-me, Keyisha Cole, each meld trademark Evans with something fresh. While the roller-skating "Sunshine" capitalizes on Evans' hit refrains, "Change" and "Everyday Struggle" (which borrows both the sample and title from her ex-husband Biggie's song) find the oft-inspirational Evans fittingly stepping into more social commentary. Throughout, a consistent Evans proves to be change fans can believe in.