R.

By David E. Thigpen

Wading through the 29 tracks of this double album is like watching one of those Airport films: the sheer tonnage of guest stars makes the proceedings feel a bit bloated. Here's sweet balladeer Celine Dion and nail-spitting rapper Foxy Brown. There's Jay-Z, Nas and Noriega. Even Puff Daddy drops in to co-produce a tune. What, O.J. was busy? Why does Kelly, a blue-chip producer-singer-songwriter, need to call in the cavalry? Because R. is less an album than a collection of gussied-up singles, like a meal made only of desserts. There are half a dozen songs that show what Kelly can do, but by the time you finish disc 2 of R., you may feel as overwhelmed as you are entertained.

--By David E. Thigpen