SHAZAM

After their fifth album, a self-titled 2006 release, Jagged Edge departed from Sony and landed back with Jermaine Dupri, who was quick to reclaim the group once he became president of Island Urban Music. As a title, Baby Makin' Project doesn't really do much to indicate that there will be much of a difference between its content and that of JE's past albums. There's a slightly higher percentage of ballads and midtempo songs, but for the most part, this is exactly what one should expect from the group by now -- not a masterpiece, but another strong addition to the catalog. As usual, even the middling material has replay value, saved by the sound of the members' four voices; few modern groups sound this good together. For the very first time, no MCs are featured (maybe they figured it could only go further downward after Jagged Edge's "Ass Hypnotic"); Ashanti is the lone guest, and she adds deeper appeal to "Put a Little Umph in It." ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi