To say that motor-mouthed and producer took their time getting out is an understatement. Released nearly five years after his last album and promoted by the rapper since 2001, finally dropped in one of the least popular months for music buying, January. The long-talked-about team up ended up on 's album, and 's original single, landed on and 's project instead. Seems like is doomed from the start, but it's actually a fair album for two main reasons: the new lead single, and the killer guest productions of . is at the helm for producing, singing, and delivering what could be the couplet of 2004: "She got a light-skinned friend look like /Got a dark-skinned friend look like ." Between the speedy samples, 's verse, and name-checking all of the heroes of pillow-talk radio, there's just enough room for 's rapid 's style is stunning, doubly so for any aspiring rappers, but for those who just listen, it lacks the depth to carry a full album on its own. Still, his in-and-out appearances on other artists' tracks whetted the appetite for more, and delivers past the single. is a worthy sequel to features a slinky appearance, and finds 's production coming off as cinematic where elsewhere it's just anemic. Two slower numbers toward the end -- the introspective and the -sampling -- go a long way to expand the album's narrow spectrum, and 's skills adjust nicely to the mellow pace. Whatever the reasons for 's delay, it does make for near-perfect timing for the both stunning and limited rapper. One album per five years, monthly guest spots, and the occasional brilliant single equal just the right amount of . ~ David Jeffries