In celebration of Ludacris' more recent success with his #1 album "Release Therapy", I've decided to check back on its predecessor, "The Red Light District". Although I've been a fan of his music and his larger-than-life persona for a while, especially because of killer club cuts like "Stand Up", I've never convinced myself to buy any of his albums until now. And I must say that I'm impressed on this record.

Whether or not this album is better than its predecessors or "Release Therapy" is something entirely out of my current knowledge, but this album is packed full of infectious club bangers, witty punch-lines and the occasionally amazing (albeit obligatory) moment of lyrical brilliance and/or introspective clarity. Many of the album's producers (Timbaland, DJ Quik, DJ Green Lantern, Organized Noize, Doug E. Fresh and a large host of others, mainly unknowns) and guest artists (R&B singer Sleepy Brown, DMX, Nas, Tricky Daddy, Bobby Valentino, etc.) also lend their helping hands in this consistently enjoyable, more-than-an-hour-long record.

Without a doubt, "Number One Spot" is definitely one of the best tracks on the album. With DJ Green Lantern's unconventional Austin Powers Theme sample in the beat, along with Ludacris' witty lyrics and hilarious Austin Powers references, the aforementioned club tune plays to all of Ludacris' strengths - strong MC skills, witty lyric and punch-lines, appealing sense of humour, energetic performer, personality, etc. - and puts a creative twist on a standout track tailor-made for dance-floors. "Blueberry Yum Yum", a stoner ode that's as humorous and drowsy as it is essentially pointless, gets by mainly because of Ludacris' laid-back delivery & Organized Noize's squeaky, hypnotic synthesizers (in other words, guest singer Sleepy Brown is practically unrecognizable vocally). LT Moe provides a nice bouncy groove for the joyous "Spur Of The Moment", an obvious club jam where Ludacris & DJ Quik deliver their laid-back verses. Then of course there's "Get Back", a rowdy, violent, boisterous club banger where KLC's mix of blasting horns, piano key loops and pounding bass intensify Ludacris' attitude-heavy boasts. "Pimpin' All Over The World", a self-explanatory club track, succeeds (once again) due to Ludacris' unavoidable presence, Bobby Valentino's smooth crooning on the hook, Donnie Scantz & Polow Da Don's laid-back beat & a funny skit from Katt Williams.

Thankfully, not everything is about fun, games, partying and smart-a** jokes. Songs like the autobiographical "Child Of The Night" & the uplifting "Hopeless (feat. Nate Dogg & Trick Daddy, respectively) display Ludacris' more vulnerable, smarter, more thoughtful side of his personality. As joyless as such songs may be, seeing a deeper side of Ludacris - as well as something of more lyrical importance - is something I highly appreciate.

Unfortunately, inevitable filler is bound to come up (which is to say nothing of the forgettable intro and skit). Ludacris' ill-fated collaboration with DMX makes for trite music listening on "Put Your Money" ; one of Timbaland's lesser beats are -for better or worse- wasted on Ludacris' lacklustre lyrics on "The Potion" ; "Pass Out", a lifeless ode to violence, doesn't even come close to matching "Get Back", nonetheless any other track on his album, his catalogue or even Hip-Hop in general ; and although "Virgo", an old-school-inflected club tune/sex ode, isn't a complete train wreck, I expect someone of guest artist/rapper Nas' calibre and statues to deliver lyrics which have more depth or heat (I hereby have no comment on producer/guest rapper Doug E. Fresh's forgettable verse).

As a whole, this is a very impressive album. I suggest you buy or download "The Red Light District" consistently provides club-ready entertainment while also showing glimpses of Ludacris' lyrical ability. 4 stars!

5 Best Tracks:
"Child Of The Night (feat. Nate Dogg)"
"Spur Of The Moment (feat. DJ Quik)"
"Number One Spot"
"Pimpin' All Over The World (feat. Bobby Valentino & Katt Williams on skit)"
"Blueberry Yum Yum (feat. Sleepy Brown)"

Worst Tracks:
"Intro"
"Skit"
"Pass Out"
"Put Your Money (feat. DMX)
"The Potion"