New Music From Missy Elliot

The Missy Elliot, Timbaland and Danjahanz trifecta is like big girl “Sexy Back 2008.” Sorry, were you expecting Beyoncé? So Missy isn’t clocking “Supa Dupa Fly” pounds these days, the thicker, edgier Missy'circa 2002'returns on her new untitled album. Her excuse for not showing up to Chelsea’s Roc The Mic studios yesterday entertained press through pre-recorded interludes in between unmixed tracks, “I was busy walking Oprah’s dogs” and “washing Denzel Washington’s cars.” Comedy gold only Missy could pull off took us through eight tracks of future summer anthems (slow jam included), coupled with her devilishly playful how-to's for shaking (insert female anatomy)…

1. “Act A Fool” (produced by Souldiggaz)
More hand-claps, thank you very much. “Shake that donkey/show my monkey.” Never any shame in her game. I knooow you see it.

2. “Best Best” (produced by Danja)
No DJ Khaled or MIA connection on this one, just M-I-S-E listing what makes the man. One minute men redeem themselves here. Sounds like Missy found herself another (male) mid-tempo strip club anthem. Pause.

3. “Shake Ur Pom Pom” (produced by Timbaland)
The Ying Yang Twins want their song back. Tim and Missy’s experiment with go-go music does E.U.’s “Da Butt” justice.

4. “Like When You Play The Music” (produced by Timbaland)
VA’s favorite always reminds us of her short-lived years as a part of ’90s r&b group, Sista. With the latest addition to the J Records roster, Jasmine Sullivan by her side on the hook, her pipe game, ahem vocals are pretty serious.

5. “All For You” (produced by Souldiggaz)
Synthesizers are like MySpace pages, everyone in music has them.

6. “Love” (produced by Timbaland)
The incorrigible vocoder. Tim threw a hall effect on Missy's voice and sprinkled the slow burning track with the twinkling keys from Playa's “Cheers To You,” also heard on Hova’s “Jigga What Jigga Who,” and JT’s “Until The End Of Time.”

7. “Milk & Cookies” (produced by Point Guard)
New wave rap in the key of Snoop's “Sexual Seduction.” Missy singing and rapping over it is refreshing. Relax, no vocoder.

8. “Hip Hop Don’t Die” (produced by Tiffany/Woodworks)
Rappers from the '90s show their age when they hate on hip-hop's new school. Only Missy shows the progression from the old to the new, be it good or bad. “If you don't write your rhymes let your ghostwriter do the talk.” Jasmine Sullivan assists on the chorus. Not too shabby. This untitled album will have a name before its June release.