Jay-Z finally delivers worthy comeback

After claiming that he'd release no more albums, last year's "Kingdom Come" CD was Jay-Z's first comeback attempt. However, his return only partly lived up to expectations. Although the disc scored his best opening week sales until that point, it was roundly received as a relative letdown, with too many soft-edged rhymes about his cushy, celebrity lifestyle.

"American Gangster," his 10th studio album, represents Jay's comeback from that comeback -- his chance to reassert himself as hip-hop's pre-eminent wordsmith. This time, he unquestionably delivers the goods -- showcasing deft metaphors about his own ghetto ascension and an uncanny ear for dramatic sonic backdrops.

Jay claims he was inspired by the Ridley Scott-directed film of the same name about '70s-era Harlem drug mogul Frank Lucas. Though not a soundtrack, the disc still has a cinematic quality. The beats, most notably the six tracks produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs and his Hitmen beatmaking team, capture a range of moods that few rap albums nail. Horns punctuate "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is ... )" while "Sweet" features a smoothed-out blaxploitation vibe.

-- The Associated Press

And built on a mournful Marvin Gaye sample and sweeping strings, "American Dreamin'" chronicles thoughts of attending college that give way to profiting from dealing drugs. Jay rhymes: "Mama forgive me, should be thinkin' bout Harvard/ But that's too far away, n----s are starving/ Ain't nothin' wrong with aim, just gotta change the target/ I got dreams of baggin' snidd-ow the size of pillows."

Then later, with the aid of the tumbling congas and bright, electro-synths of the Neptunes-produced "I Know," Jay unfolds a tale of addiction where his own music could be the choice drug. "I am so dope/ Like Louboutins with the red bottoms /You gotta have 'em, you glad you got 'em."

Indeed, Jay's allure even has an affect on his rap star peers. Recent rival Lil Wayne contributes some tight-jawed rhymes and sing-songy vocals on "Hello Brooklyn 2.0," which uses a screeching Beastie Boys vocal sample and some thumping 808 drum kicks. And to dazzling effect, Jay partners with former nemesis Nas over the rugged, organ-driven beat of "Success." Cocky as ever, Jay puffs out his chest: "I got watches I ain't seen in months/ Apartment at the Trump I only slept in once/ N----s said Hova was over, such dummies/ Even if I fell, I'd land on a bunch of money."

"American Gangster" is proof that Jay-Z hasn't lost his gift of making some of the most undeniably inventive and assured hip-hop music, or as on "Roc Boys" he sums up: "This is black superhero music." Bold words, but it's hard to argue with someone who's comeback twice and remains the genre's most exciting voice.

-- The Associated Press