A change in the recipe

Missy Elliott

“The Cookbook” (Goldmind/Atlantic)

* * 1/2

THE albums of multitalented hip-hop artist Missy Elliott are normally musical feasts, blending sonic concoctions and clever lyrical bites. Unfortunately, this follow-up to 2003’s “This Is Not a Test!” lacks the usual innovative spice. Although “Test!” yielded no single as head-turning as previous collections’ “Work It” and “Get Ur Freak On,” Elliott’s wide-ranging personality and considerable skills made it thoroughly engaging. “Cookbook” doesn’t have such staying power.

Longtime producing partner Timbaland takes a back seat here, but the two tracks he helms are nothing special. It’s just that Elliott finally fails to overcome rap’s formulaic tendencies. She uses all her signature ingredients -- affection for old-school styles, sense of adventure, wide range of personas (party girl, independent woman, vulnerable chick, boss lady), and varied musical sous-chefs (Houston rapper Mike Jones, hip-hop vet Slick Rick, “American Idol” crooner Fantasia, etc.). Still, her souffle of hip-hop, soul, R&B;, funk and dance music falls a bit flat.

Even the promising moment of invention, the Missy-produced single “Lose Control,” exudes a Kraftwerk-esque stale-cheese electro vibe. (The funk-infused come-on “Can’t Stop” makes better dance-floor fodder.) Between-track skits are tiresome, their Asian caricatures unpleasantly stereotypical.

Still, Elliott’s playfully pointed feminist jibe “Mommy” proves provocative and entertaining, while the taut reflections in “My Struggles” and the soulful cheater’s plea “Remember When” resonate with melancholy resolve.

-- Natalie Nichols

*

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.