It's About Time (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Christina Milian (vocals); Fabolous, Joe Budden (rap vocals); Baby Dubb (various instruments, programming); Bryan-Michael Cox (various instruments); The Stereo (keyboards, programming).

Cuban-born pop chanteuse Christina Milian got her start as an actress on TV sitcoms, but from the beginning of her second record, IT'S ABOUT TIME, she makes it clear that, like other teen sensations, she's not that innocent. Opening track "Dip It Low" features a frenetic, sensual dance-floor beat with just a hint of Asian flavor, as Milian counts off numerous ways for women to drive their men crazy.

The record continues with the atmosphere of a raging party, with rappers Fabolous and Joe Budden dropping by to lay down rhymes (Budden has some particularly mighty moments on "L.O.V.E."). Milian's vocals possess enough imperious swagger to pull off the upbeat dance numbers, but also the requisite coy desire to spice up the slow jams (ballads "Miss You Like Crazy"--not a cover of the Natalie Cole song--and the enthrallingly luscious "Highway"). Milian's music struts with a power belying the singer's age, making the funky IT'S ABOUT TIME an entertaining record from start to finish. minimize