Jennifer Hudson

By now, you're forgiven if you've had enough of American Idol alumnus and Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson's cover of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good," thanks to its use in an ubiquitous Weight Watchers ad that seems to hijack half of every commercial break. Yes, she looks hot ― check out the video documentary of the cover shoot on the DVD disc of the deluxe edition of I Remember Me for further proof ― but let's get to the music. Hudson's self-titled 2008 debut was one of the more disappointing R&B releases of recent years, relying on irritating guest appearances and dismal concessions to pop and hip-hop material rather than showcasing Hudson's expressive and frequently prodigious vocals. I Remember Me amends things with a more elegant, mature and, ultimately, more soulful sound. The Alicia Keys-penned "Angel" sounds like the greatest Teena Marie song the recently deceased diva never sung and with its bumping, mid-tempo, steppers groove is ideal for any grown and sexy dance floor. The Philly-disco throwback of "Everybody Needs Love" features Hudson's creamiest vocals of the set atop a tough 4/4 rhythm. Even lesser tracks like R. Kelly's way melodramatic offering, "Where You At," are compelling, not bombastic.