In Brief: : *** BELL BIV DEVOE, “Poison,” MCA.; <i> Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to five (a classic).</i>

This album by founding New Edition singers Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronald Devoe is worlds removed from their old kiddy fluff. Like former ally Bobby Brown, they have moved into hardcore hip-core territory, singing about such things as nymphets who linger backstage. In New Edition, the trio took a back seat to Brown and Ralph Tresvant. This album should put them in the driver’s seat at last.