The debut album from Pharrell 'Midas Touch' Williams is not the worst album released this year but it is by far the most disappointing.

Expectations too high perhaps? For one half of hit maker production team The Neptunes and core member of Rap/Rock outfit N.E.R.D., Williams was well qualified to combat the pressure put upon him. Since this has been delayed since late last year the build up for the album has been artificial though the fact that it was delayed should have been the proof that all was not well at Chez Williams.

In My Mind is exhibit A of Pharrell working beyond his limitations. In the steps of Babyface and Jermaine Dupri, he cannot hold his own as a solo artist which is a shame but maybe it illustrates that this genius is human after all. The heavy reliance on percussion, as displayed on teaser single 'Can I Have It Like That', is quite off putting after about 4 tracks and thoughts of a rearrangement of track sequences while possibly being a good idea would only be a temporary measure.

By the time 'You Can Do It Too' rolls around with an underused Jamie Cullum on board, it becomes clear that Pharrell has lost his hot streak. It is once the second half of the disc kicks in that things start getting a little better. 'Our Father' is the closest one is going to get to N.E.R.D. brilliance and sound while the dream team up of Pharrell and Kanye West on 'Number One' saves the day. The song also doubles as a recorded document that the torch has truly passed from one maestro to another. 

As proud as Pharrell is of his work one gets the feeling that this project was one that he will learn from. That ultimately is the sign of a true champion.