SWV Are Ready For Their comeback.

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Who: SWV

Biggest hit: "Weak" (1992)

Claim to fame: One of the most widely known new-jill-swing groups of the 1990s hit paydirt twice with its first single. "Right Here" was re-released as a remix called "Right Here/ Human Nature" with a sample of the Michael Jackson song, and went to #2 on the pop charts.

Why do I know that name?: SWV (which stands for Sisters With Voices) were huge in the early and mid-'90s — think Destiny's Child with big hoop earrings and perfectly blended voices. But after a five-year run of hit singles and sold-out shows, the group disappeared into a now decade-plus hibernation. Why? Well, like DC, you can chalk up the deep freeze to a solo project. "Coko wanted to do her solo thing, so we decided to take a break," explained group member Tamara "Taj" Johnson, who, along with Cheryl "Coko" Gamble and Leanne "Lelee" Lyons, made up the group. "We never thought it would be this long, though." The three singers were school friends whose demo tape caught the ear of the king of the hip-hop/R&B hybrid new-jack-swing sound, Teddy Riley. The former leader of Guy liked the tape so much, he produced their triple-platinum 1992 debut, It's About Time, which spun off the first hit single, "Right Here," followed by the #2 smash "I'm So Into You," the #1 pop and R&B single "Weak" and the hit remix of "Right Here."

Top of the world, ma: "We were living it," said Johnson of the group's 1992 to '94 heyday, which also featured the final Time hit "Always on My Mind" and a 1994 success with "Anything" from the "Above the Rim" soundtrack. The group quickly capitalized on its heat by releasing a remix album, inventively titled The Remixes, in spring 1994. SWV followed it up with a second studio album, 1996's New Beginning, which featured the hit "You're the One," and a third album, Release Some Tension, in 1997. But after five years in the limelight, the group shocked fans by going on indefinite hiatus. A greatest-hits album came out in 1997 and a Christmas record followed in 1999, but since then? Nothing.

Solo, so long: Though they never officially announced a breakup, Coko went solo in 1999 with Hot Coko, and that was the last news about the group. Johnson said all three got busy starting families (each has two children) and working on their own projects. For Coko, it was recording a solo inspirational/gospel album due in September on Artemis Gospel and a line of candles called Oh So Jazzy, and for Johnson it was writing a playful book titled "Player HateHer" with a friend, speaking tours on the subject of battered women and a possible reality show with her husband, former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George.

Second time around: After taking a decade off, Johnson said the group's members — who live in three different cities but have always kept in touch — began dipping their toes back in the water with some live dates last year. Now they're gearing up for a full-fledged comeback in 2007. "It's been so great to play these shows and see how a whole new generation reacts," she said. "Radio has kept playing [sWV songs], and they must have heard them from their parents. They are loving it!" The women have been playing a series of shows with fellow new-jack stars like En Vogue, Guy, Blackstreet and Tony Toni Toné, and Johnson said they are sifting through songs for their first album in a decade. Though they don't have a record deal yet, they hope to release the new album next year, along with a live DVD, some soundtrack songs and, yes, a possible reality show about their comeback.

The moral: "Oh, if we had it to do over again we'd do everything differently," said Johnson, as the sound of her son splashing around in the pool behind her echoed through the phone. "Different manager, different ... everything. We know a lot more now than we did then."