KANYE WEST Late Registration Roc-A-Fella/Universal *****

Kanye West is hip-hop's Special One. He didn't quite save the genre with his debut album, but he showed it some ways out of the predicament it found itself in. Thanks to the style and substance of College Dropout, West went from backroom superstar to cover star in one bold leap. Now the trick is to stay there. Even for a smart, cocky cookie such as West, maintaining pole position can pose problems, especially with all ears turned his way to catch where he repeats himself with those trademark speeded soul samples, or further references to his fondness for Jakob The Jeweller's bling products. It probably explains why Jon Brion - best known for his soundtrack work on Magnolia and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - is on board as co-producer. Brion brings in synths and soundscapes far removed from the debut album's samples and loops to give tracks such as Celebrate and the poppy Heard 'Em Say an appeal for audiences beyond hip-hop's walls. While West's flow could never be described as groundbreaking, his rhymes are far punchier on Late Registration, with his railing against conflict diamonds (Diamonds From Sierra Leone) sounding tougher on every listen. Add in the throwaway brilliance of Addiction and the folky sweetness of Hey Mama and you have an album that demonstrates that West is here to stay. www.kanyewest.com

Jim Carroll