Bubba’s got his groove back

Bubba Sparxxx

“The Charm”

(New South/Purple Ribbon/Virgin)

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BUBBA SPARXXX knew he had to come out swinging. The rapper from rural Georgia scored a massive hit in 2001 with the kinetic, Timbaland-produced “Ugly,” but his daring, folksy second album, 2003’s “Deliverance,” failed to connect with fans.

Now signed to Big Boi of OutKast’s Purple Ribbon imprint, Sparxxx returns on his third album (due April 4) with increased commercial appeal and the solid lyricism that helped earn him praise early in his career.

The playful, infectious single “Ms. New Booty,” featuring the Ying Yang Twins, is a sonically skeletal party hit, but elsewhere Sparxxx has deeper issues to address, including his status as a white rapper and the posthumous reverence that’s been accorded the Notorious B.I.G (both on the propulsive “Represent”), the need to persevere during struggle (the chillingly somber “Ain’t Life Grand”) and the emotional toll of considering an abortion (the touching, guitar-accented “Run Away”).

Timbaland, who once provided Sparxxx’s sonic backbone, contributes only the gleefully undulating boast fest “Hey! (A Lil Gratitude),” as the production duties shift primarily to Organized Noize (OutKast, Goodie Mob), whose choice mix of soul and sonic bravado make for a charming sound.

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.

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Soren Baker