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Editorial Reviews

On his 12th album, LL Cool J proves -- with the help of an all-star roster of guests -- that he can still hang with the young guns. Todd Smith (Cool J's real name and the moniker of his clothing line) boasts cameos by Juelz Santana on the street-credible "It's LL and Santana," by Philly rap star Freeway on the frenetic "What You Want," and by R&B singer Lyfe Jennings on the soulful "Freeze." Perhaps the most surprising guest appearance is from Any Given Sunday costar and former foe Jamie Foxx, who sings on the sexy "Best Dress." Although the disc is sure to generate a few radio-friendly hits -- notably the old-school, "Planet Rock"-inspired single "Control Myself," featuring J. Lo, and the club thumper "Preserve the Sexy," featuring Beyoncé-biter Teairra Mari -- lyrically LL seems to have resigned himself to playing the MC lover man persona he's carefully crafted over the years, leaving diehard Cool J fans still yearning for the capable MC to make another raw energy-charged track like "Mama Said Knock You Out" or a block party-starting single like "Jingling Baby." The rapper's lite Todd Smith, however, is enough to tide us over until the real Uncle L stands up. Tracy E. Hopkins, Barnes & Noble

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