Dangerously in Love
The perfect timing of Beyonce Knowles’ career moves continues with the release of her debut solo album.Dangerously in Love’s best music is wildly up-to-date, craftily designed for both maximum street acceptance and positioning as some of the most cutting-edge stuff on current radio. The brash first single, "Crazy in Love," meldsJay-Zwith an unstoppableChi-Liteshorn sample, shape-shifting into something brand new. Collaborations withOutkast’s Big Boi andSean Paulalso prick up the ears, while changes of pace like "Be with You" and "Speechless" achieve their aim with credibility. The disc becomes far too ballad heavy in its second half, but the key stuff is the noise she brings.--Rickey Wright