"Jennifer Hudson" by Jennifer Hudson; Arista Records

With her Oscar-winning performance in "Dreamgirls" and roles in movies such as "Sex and the City" and the upcoming "The Secret Life of Bees," Jennifer Hudson's singing career had become almost an afterthought. Now that her formidable, self- titled debut CD has been released, it is now deservedly back in the spotlight.

Hudson, who first came to prominence as a finalist on "American Idol," worked with some of music's hottest names on the CD. Ne-Yo and the hit-production team StarGate appear on the cool first single "Spotlight" and the semi-dark "Can't Stop the Rain." Tank works on the tough but ladylike "We Gon' Fight" and on "What's Wrong (Go Away)," Hudson goes head-to-head with T-Pain and his vocoder.

But Hudson's booming voice truly shines on tracks such as "If It Isn't Love" and the Robin Thicke-assisted, Anita Baker- influenced "Giving Myself."

There are a few disappointments. Hudson's duet with Fantasia, "I'm His Only Woman," written and produced by Missy Elliott, newcomer Jazmine Sullivan and Jack Splash (Solange, Estelle), is simply a yelling contest between the former "Idol" alums. The Timbaland-produced "Pocketbook" is just as bad, where Hudson threatens to hit a man with her purse who's getting a little too familiar. Please.

Overall, the CD's highlight is Hudson's vocals. She confidently sings each song — going high and low, fast and slow at the right moments, with the right amount of emotion. Which is to be expected from an Oscar winner.