These days it seems as though everything rapper/producer Kanye West touches turns to gold (or, come to think of it, platinum). West has single-handedly lifted the hip-hop game onto his shoulders of late-over the past 18 months, he put out his dazzling debut, The College Dropout, produced the debut of R&B/neo-soul sensation John Legend, and rejuvenated the career of super-lyricist Common. As if that wasn’t enough, West has struck again with his own newest offering, Late Registration.

The great thing about West is his variety-in a genre where standard party rhymes and beats sit at the top of the charts, Kaneezy isn’t afraid to put his heart and soul into his music. On few other albums will you hear lyrics that range from the political (“Diamonds From Sierra Leone”) to socially conscious (“Heard ‘Em Say,” “Crack Music”) to comical (“Celebration,” Gold Digger”).

His penchant for mixing things up also plays a part in his musical preferences, as West fills Late Registration with everything from violins to trumpets, jumping from big beats and horns on the Just Blaze-produced “Touch the Sky” (the most killer track on the record), featuring newcomer Lupe Fiasco, to the orchestra-assisted “Bring Me Down,” featuring singer Brandy on the soulful hook.

Of course, the album’s rich diversity of sound can be partially credited to Jon Brion (best known for his work with songwriters like Fiona Apple and Aimee Mann), whom West enlisted as co-producer. It’s a move that pays off in a huge way for the risk-taking West.

While some would argue that West is not quite skilled enough an MC to hold down a great rap album, he’s smart enough to know his limitations on the mic, making up for it by picking out the perfect guests to help him put together a great record. Whether it’s using the smooth Cam’Ron on the infectious “Gone,” gritty gangsta The Game on the conscious banger “Crack Music,” or the Oscar-winning Jamie Foxx on the bouncy “Gold Digger,” West corrals every guest’s strengths to his advantage, joining each together with the perfect beat, the precise sound, or just the right song.

But there remain those few flaws that leave Late Registration just short of being a classic. West continues to clutter his albums with awkward skits that go nowhere, and “Addiction” sticks out as the weakest track of a strong lot.

With Late Registration, West can hold his head high for accomplishing something that even hip-hop legends Jay-Z and Nas (who both appear on the album) could not: improve on an amazing debut album.

-SAMIR SIDDIQUI, Special Hip-Hop Assistant to the Arts Editor