Chris Brown

B+Exclusive

(Jive Records)

ON AND POPPIN': Chris Brown doesn't have the swagger of Usher or pen game of Ne-Yo, but he is poised to become one of the biggest R&B stars of his generation. With his liquid dance moves and the charisma that he's displayed on stage and screen, the 18-year-old Mr. Brown cements his status as more than a flavor-of-the-month cutie with his solid sophomore follow-up. It's filled with star-studded cameos (the ubiquitous T-Pain, Kanye West and Outkast's Big Boi, to name a few), hot producers (Sean Garrett, Bryan-Michael Cox and the Underdogs) and the strength of Mr. Brown's elastic tenor, which makes even the more pedestrian tracks sound worthy of the CD's title.

SET TO 'RUN IT': Mr. Brown appeals to a wide spectrum with tracks that brag on his growing sex appeal (the contagious banger "Wall to Wall," the Will.i.am collaboration "Picture Perfect"), his, ahem, after-hours extracurricular skills ("Take You Down") and even the consequences of dipping with other women on the side ("Damage"). His vocals have certainly matured, so his use of T-Pain's trademark instrument – the auto- tuner – is dubious, especially on "Lottery," on which one can hardly distinguish his voice.

BOTTOM LINE: Chris Brown has matured, but not to the point where he should alienate his original fan base.

Lorrie Irby Jackson