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Missy Elliott
The Cookbook
(Atlantic/Warner)
Can you smell what Missy Elliott is cooking? We can -- and it's definitely not Misdemeanor's original recipe.
On this sixth album, the hip-hop diva gets her tweak on, easing longtime producer and partner Timbaland out of the mix and replacing him with a smorgasbord of different (and mostly lesser-known) producers. Which is probably a nice way of emphasizing your independence, making a few new friends and saving a few bucks. But it isn't the best way of making an album that goes down smooth.
The main problem? Aside from The Neptunes, few of the novice knob-twiddlers can fashion a beat as bizarrely brilliant and instantly addictive as the mighty Timbaland -- though, ironically, Missy herself comes closest on the slammin' Lose Control. Other high points include cameos by the boastful Mike Jones, hip-hop soul mama Mary J. and the ever-freaky Slick Rick.
Most of the time, though, Missy's Cookbook feels less like a musical buffet created by a team of chefs, and more like what happens when you have too many cooks.
We'll pass on seconds.
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Track Listing:
1. Joy (Featuring Mike Jones)
2. Party Time
3. Irresistable (Featuring Slick Rick)
4. Lose Control (Featuring Ciara & Fat Man Scoop)
5. My Struggles (Featuring Mary J. Blige & Grand Puba)
6. Meltdown
7. On & On
8. We Run This
9. Remember When
10. 4 My Man (Featuring Fantasia)
11. Can't Stop
12. Teary Eyed
13. Mommy
14. Click Clack
15. Time and Time Again
16. Bad Man (Featuring Vybez Cartel & M.I.A.)