AKON
Konvicted
Producers: various
SRC/Upfront/Konvict/Universal Motown
Release Date: Nov. 14

There's something to be said for not trying to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes all you need to do is rotate the tires, tighten the lugs and you're good to go. That's what Senegalese-born Akon does on this smashing sequel to his platinum-selling 2003 debut "Trouble." Picking up on that album's redemption theme in the aftermath of his incarceration for car theft, Akon waxes
philosophical about his ongoing rebirth. This time around he focuses on tighter production as he creatively fuses countless genres. Tying it all together-Akon's lyrical talk-sing vocals. Beyond the hits ("Smack That," "I Wanna Love You") with guests Eminem and Snoop Dogg, "Konvicted" offers a plethora of pleasing, pulsating tracks like the sensitive "The Rain," the jazz-funk love song "I Can't Wait" and a flashback to his troubled past, "Tired of Runnin'." Here's a musical lockdown well worth the time. -- Gail Mitchell