**1/2 Faith Evans

KEEP THE FAITH

(Bad Boy)

Unlike country star Faith Hill's latest smash, Faith, the title of this R&B star's sophomore release is a genuine testimonial to endurance. Over three years, this 25-year-old singer/songwriter has endured the open adultery and then murder of her husband (the Notorious B.I.G.), absorbed the dissing of Biggie's famous mistress, lascivious rapper Lil' Kim, and borne her third child to a third father. Yet despite the media glare on this melodrama, the specifics give way here before the generic wash of a pleasant, competent, thoroughly standard adult R&B album. Following the buoyancy of the three light-funk openers, a ponderous prelude/ postlude pair of selections frame the main body of the album, which alternates slow relationship grooves sporting giveaway titles like "My First Love," with slow I-will-survive ballads sporting giveaway titles like "Life Will Pass You By." Realists will probably see the commonness of it all as a move by Bad Boy label owner Sean "Puffy" Combs to capture the 25-to-40-year-old mainstream.

-- Franklin Soults