The ex-Fugees singer's latest effort, "The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant," continues the tradition with a long, eclectic list of musical help. But as appealing as some of the songs are, the disparity in styles from track to track prevents Jean from achieving any real flow.

"Carnival II" starts off strong with "Riot," a chaotic mix of hip-hop, reggae and hard rock featuring vocals from rapper Sizzla and the always bizarre Serj Tankian, front man for System Of a Down. "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" couldn't be more different, with Akon crooning and Lil Wayne rapping softly about a young woman who "used to run track back in high school/Now she tricks on the track right by school."

Other highlights include "What About the Baby," whose typical playa-abandons-family theme is saved by Mary J. Blige's surprisingly low-key singing and backup vocals straight from the O'Jays' soul classic "I Love Music"; and the lovely laid-back, country tinged "Any Other Day," featuring the mesmerizing Norah Jones.