With her Oscar-winning performance in "Dreamgirls" and roles in movies like "Sex and the City" and the upcoming "The Secret Life of Bees," Jennifer Hudson's singing career had become almost an afterthought. With the release of her formidable, self-titled debut CD, it is now deservedly back in the spotlight.

Hudson, who first came to prominence as a finalist on "American Idol," worked with some of music's hottest names on the CD. Ne-Yo and the hit-production team StarGate appear on the cool first single "Spotlight" and the semi-dark "Can't Stop the Rain." Tank works on the tough but ladylike "We Gon' Fight" and on "What's Wrong (Go Away)," Hudson goes head-to-head with T-Pain and his vocoder.

But Hudson's booming voice truly shines on tracks like "If It Isn't Love" and the Robin Thicke-assisted, Anita Baker-influenced "Giving Myself."

There are a few disappointments. Hudson's duet with Fantasia, "I'm His Only Woman," written and produced by Missy Elliott, newcomer Jazmine Sullivan and Jack Splash (Solange, Estelle), is simply a yelling contest between the former "Idol" alums. The Timbaland-produced "Pocketbook" is just as bad, where Hudson threatens to hit a man with her purse who's getting a little too familar. Please.

Overall, the CD's highlight is Hudson's vocals. She confidently sings each song — going high and low, fast and slow at the right moments, with the right amount of emotion. Which is to be expected from an Oscar winner.

CHECK THIS OUT: Power producer Polow Da Don lends a hand on "My Heart," where Hudson dismisses her man's past, claims her "bedroom game is sick" and treats her heart like a precious child, singing lyrics like "But my heart has my word to never put her in the way of harm."

By MESFIN FEKADU
Associated Press Writer

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