*** EN VOGUE “EV3” Elektra

En Vogue is such a democratic unit that the departure of Dawn Robinson lacks the dramatic angst and impact of, say, Diana Ross’ split from the Supremes. But the move is hardly insignificant, since this group is more than just interchangeable hot babes in haute couture. Robinson contributed greatly to the sizzling look and sound of En Vogue, and her absence is sure to have some effect.

Her presence on her final work with the group is an integral part of the womanly, more mature stance of this album. The group smokes Diane Warren’s “Too Gone Too Long,” the kind of power ballad that has catapulted the careers of Celine Dion and Toni Braxton to a higher level. That the funky divas can sing has always been a given, but this is a performance upon which musical reps are truly built.

Elsewhere, one can picture Sophie B. Hawkins grumbling about “Damn I Want to Be Your Lover,” but this sultry torcher sounds nothing like her similarly titled hit of a few years back.

Girl groups come and go, but En Vogue has always seemed like one of the likeliest to go the distance. The loss of Robinson is a blow, but En Vogue still looks unstoppable.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four stars (excellent).

Hear the Music: * Excerpts from this album and other recent pop music releases are available on The Times’ World Wide Web site. Point your browser to: http://vinapk.com/soundclips