"Have no fear, girl," reassures Ruben Studdard. "It's the return of your velvet Teddy bear." We can see where he's coming from -- though we doubt it was his female fans who were afraid of the way his career was headed.

Despite beating Clay Aiken in the second season of American Idol, plus-size Alabama crooner Studdard hasn't lived up to his potential. His 2003 debut Soulful suffered due to repeated delays, and his 2004 followup I Need an Angel took an ill-advised detour into gospel. Well, meet the new Ruben -- same as the old Ruben.

On his aptly titled third CD The Return, Studdard wisely reconnects with the sexy urban roots that made him an Idol in the first place. Assisted by producers like Ne-Yo and Scott Storch, the smoky-voiced soul man works his Luther Vandross-like magic on a strong set of smooth-groove boudoir seductions and lightly bumping hip-hop come-ons.

Toss in a few decent cuts co-written by the big man himself, and it adds up to his most assured and consistent work yet.

Sounds like a welcome Return for all concerned.

Track Listing:

1. The Return (Of The Velvet Bear)
2. Change Me
3. Make Ya Feel Beautiful
4. Get U Loose
5. Our Story
6. One Side
7. What Tha Business Is
8. Rather Just Not Know
9. Ain't No Party
10. Listen To Ya Heart
11. I'm Not Happy
12. To Da Crib
13. Blow Ya Mind
14. If Only For One Night