It may be a weak play on words, but “Eve-Olution” is a fitting title for

Eve’s third solo release.

The “Ruff Ryders’ First Lady” has always displayed a certain sense of class

and grace not found in work by certain other female rappers. (I won’t name

names, but Eve’s not going to add a “Foxy” or “Lil'” to her moniker anytime

soon.)

“Eve-Olution” reveals a more mature Eve, a stronger woman with more life

experience and two successful albums under her belt.

On “Let This Go,” Eve wields her voice like well-honed claws, calling out

an

ex-boyfriend who couldn’t handle living in the shadow of her spotlight.

Eve benefits from a host of other superstar producers on “Eve-Olution,”

including Irv Gotti, Dr. Dre and the Ryders’ own Swizz Beatz. The

Dre-produced tracks “What,” featuring Dre prot‚g‚ Truth Hurts, and

“Satisfaction,” have a definite West-coast feel on which Philly-born Eve

flows with ease.

Unfortunately, Eve does take the trite and obvious route on the album’s

first single. Bouncy and radio-friendly, “Gangsta Lovin’,” featuring Alicia

Keys, does nothing but squander the talent of both artists. It’s a fun

piece

of typical Gotti-produced ear candy, but both Eve and Keys already proved

their worth before this collaborating on this track.

A sign that Eve is coming into her own with “Eve-Olution” is the lack of

Ruff Ryders-dominated tracks that defined both “Ruff Ryders First Lady” and

“Scorpion.” Both “Double R What,” featuring former Lox members Jadakiss and

Styles, and “Ryde Away,” pay homage to the Double-R squad, but Eve can hold

her own without her crew.

Overall, the “illest pitbull in a skirt” shows she’s one hell of force to

be

reckoned with on “Eve-Olution.” It’s good to see that Eve knows how to stay

true to her street roots and has taken her mainstream success in stride.

7.5 out of 10 similar artists: Missy Elliott, Rah Digga, Da Brat

– Megan Hinds, Assignment A&E Editor