Release Therapy

It's been two years since Christopher Bridges, a.k.a. "Ludacris," put out an album, but you can't fault the man when you find out what he's been up to. As 2007 approaches, Luda finds himself juggling three lives ? those of a father, movie star, and platinum-selling rapper. After very well received performances in Oscar-winning Crash and Hustle and Flow, music is back at the forefront and Release Therapy is the work of a smarter, more mature Ludacris.

First single, "Money Maker," soared straight to the top of Billboard Hot 100 charts on its catchy hook and dance appeal. Although it's currently the star of the disc, there is an exceptional supporting cast of tracks (and artists) here that give the album great depth. To name a few, R&B icon Mary J. Blige appears on "Runaway Love," Bobby Valentino on "End of the Night," and R. Kelly collaborates on "Woozy."

As I said, a sense of maturation comes through on Therapy as Luda focuses on topics like child abuse, God, and the political scene. He wisely mixes them in between booty shakin' anthems like "Girls Gone Wild," and finds just the right balance between new and classic Ludacris. This album, like Ludacris in '06, is on fire.