Skinny
Dungeon Family member Slimm Calhoun is first out of the box  from Aquemini Records, Outkast's new label, withThe Skinny. His  hallmark is a lilting Georgian intonation and mile-a-minute flow that  bears marked similarities with his mentors. The rapper's identity is  smothered further by Earthtone's solid, gothic-funk production that  displays but a few brief glimmers of brilliance. A full-throttled funk  workout erupts out of nowhere on the chorus of "Well," then hides  behind a plink-plonk keyboard motif and jangling rhythm. "Timelock" is  a breezy head-bobber over which Slimm relates the day-to-day strife of  a cashless life. Big Boi and Andre 3000 guest on three tracks, the  former on the filthy "Why Ya Smilin" and the low-key "Dirt Work." The  latter graces "It's OK" with vocoder-enhanced vocals, which sound like  Lenny Kravitz minus guitar masturbation--emasculated but kind of  catchy. Coherent but workmanlike,The Skinnyis a quick fix of  Southern-fried rap for those fiending for a follow-up to Outkast'sStankonia. But it's  several helpings short of a satisfying meal.--Chris Campion