NICOLE WRAY / ニコル・レイ / MAKE IT HOT / CD

ミッシー・エリオットの秘蔵っ子デビュー!「MAKE IT HOT」収録

Between them, the team of Missy Elliot and Timbaland have been responsible for some of the most innovative and fabulous pop songs of the last few years, including Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody?" and Destiny's Child's "Get On The Bus", as well as collaborations with Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Ginuine, SWV, as well as their own solo projects. Make It Hot was the much-anticipated first release on Missy's Gold Mind label, Nicole having previously appeared on Elliott's own SupaDupaFly; the first half of the album is well worth the wait. The title track is possibly the best thing Elliott has ever done (even going on to be sampled by the Chemical Brothers), while "Seventeen" and second single "I Can't See" are also superb. Unfortunately, the second half of the album fades badly, as Elliott leaves the production duties to others, resulting in a string of indistinguishable ballad fillers. One day somebody will make a swing album which is good all the way through, but until then there's enough in the up-tempo first half of Make It Hot to make it a near-essential purchase. --Ronita Dutta