After one listen to Charlie Wilson's "Uncle Charlie," you'll want to include him in your family of favorite albums.

The cool set of 12 tracks is fine listening and Wilson nicely fuses contemporary and classic R&B. The top tunes on the CD include the enjoyable "Shawty Come Back," the Babyface-assisted first single "There Goes My Baby," and the slow jam "One Time."

Wilson, who worked mostly with R. Kelly on his gold-selling 2005 disc, "Charlie, Last Name Wilson," this time works with the production duo the Underdogs (Chris Brown, Tyrese) and producer Greg Pagani (Leann Rimes, Will Smith). T-Pain produces and sings on the upbeat "Supa Sexxy," where Jamie Foxx makes a cameo. And Snoop Dogg, who gave Wilson the nickname "Uncle Charlie," raps on the dance jam, "Let It Out." "Homeless," which chronicles Wilson's drug use and life on the streets, is also a touching song.

The 56-year-old Wilson, best known as the lead vocalist of The Gap Band in the 1970s and 1980s, is currently in remission for prostate cancer after being diagnosed last fall and treated with radiation implants. His illness didn't seem to affect the sound of his exceptional new album - he sounds better than ever. With the right promotion, Wilson may even see multiple R&B hits.

MESFIN FEKADU Associated Press Writer

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