ALBUM

Jamie Foxx, "Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses" (RCA)

This Hollywood story has nothing to do with Foxx's film career. Here he's concentrating on a deep and occasionally danceable tale of love, sex, loss, sex, travel and sex. His voice is exquisitely suited to the subtle shadings of romance and the loud pronouncements of sensuality. He takes love slow and nasty on "Text Message" and makes the party impolite on humorous cuts such as "Socialite." There are the smooth R&B/rough-rap pairings: the thrumming "Like a Drum" (with Wale), the smoky "On the Dot" (with Fabolous) and the buoyant "Baby's in Love" (with Kid Ink). Mostly, Foxx is a soulful lover man who does his best when paired with singer-speaker Chris Brown (a charming "You Changed Me") or high-pitched vocalist/producer Pharrell (an aptly titled "Tease"). He is also good at taking love's rough ride on his own during the reflective "In Love by Now."

A.D. Amorosi, Philadelphia Inquirer

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