Jennifer Hudson has come from the streets to Chicago to become an American Idol participant and awarding winning actress. Despite winning the best supporting actress role for her role as Effie White in Dreamgirls she hasn’t forgotten her singing roots and has come out her self-titled LP on Arista Records. Featuring production a host of people including Robin Thicke, Ne-Yo, Timbaland, Tank. Jack Splash, Stargate, Polow Da Don, T-Pain, Warryn Campbell and Missy Elliott, Hudson proves that she can put a solid effort together and Simon Cowell can be wrong.

“Spotlight” is the first single and first song on the LP and JHud represents a Ne-Yo track very well. Hudson talks about not trying to be under a microscope and wanting someone who views her as worthy. “If This Isn’t Love”, sounds like something you’d hear on a top 40/pop radio station and Hudson shows her diversity on the track as she talks about someone she doesn’t want to let go of.

Hudson gets gritty on “Pocketbook, a hot upbeat track co-produced by Timbaland and featuring Ludacris. This track is one of my favorites on the LP because you can see sex appeal and attitude pouring through the track. Luda does his thing playing the role of fresh guy that tries to approach JHud. This song is definitely a upcoming single.

“Giving Myself” sounds like something you’d play at a wedding or at church. Hudson is allowed to hit those high notes she’s known for on this Robin Thicke cut and does it a strong service.

T-Pain joins Hudson on “What’s Wrong (Go Away)”, a song about lack of communication and losing a great love. These two do their thing together on this slower track that could probably be another single down the road especially with these two people’s popularity.

After that slow song “My Heart” is a good faster cut. Hudson talks about protecting her own heart and how it won’t be bruised so you better be careful.

Master songwriter Diane Warren helps Hudson with "You Pulled Me Through", another top 40/pop cut that you could hear as a soundtrack cut on a movie. Hudson does her thing on this epic sounding track showing her range, ability to breath well and transition to different notes well.

“I’m His Only Woman” pairs two American Idols contestants in Hudson and Fantasia together as they go back and forth over a man in a cut that reminds of the Motown sound of the 1960s.

Ne-Yo comes through and gives JHud another gem on “Can’t Stop The Rain”, a great cut you could hear on you favorite R&B radio station or a sad friend’s boombox on repeat. “We Gon’ Fight” reminds me of that church sound that many African-Americans hear but Hudson talks about strapping up for a war and fighting for love. She says she not gonna to leave and tear herself down.

The LP winds down with powerful cuts like “Invisible”,the classic Dreamgirls cut “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” and the religious “Jesus Promised Me A Home Over There”.

Overall, Hudson shows the singing American Idol viewers and judges should have made the winner of her particular contest. I actually like her on faster cuts like "Spotlight" and "Pocketbook" but she also can make a great living on the epic moment /poppy sounding cuts as well. Her limitless range and powerful voice will make her a long lasting artist in music.

I’ll give the LP Three GeoGlobes. I’d like to see her as she develops her own style and sound and maybe writing a bit could help if that was her thing. This LP had a lot of successful helpers so I had to take that into consideration also. A solid listen but you may find yourself skipping to your favorite tracks from time to time.