Singing still speaks to Queen Latifah

NEW YORK, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- New Jersey-born Queen Latifah is sticking with singing rather than rapping on her latest album.

"Trav'lin' Light" is the singer/rapper/actress' second all-singing album, following 2004's Grammy-nominated "The Dana Owens Album." Latifah, who most recently co-starred in the film adaptation of the musical "Hairspray," isn't ruling out a future rap album but said singing is more fulfilling at the moment.

"It's just an instant sort of expression," she said. "Music just touches my soul. It's real and it's true. It's sort of just exchanging energy. It has an emotional connection to me that's really ... beautiful."

"Trav'lin Light" mixes standards from the Great American Songbook with covers of pop hits by Phoebe Snow, 10cc, the Pointer Sisters and Smokey Robinson. Stevie Wonder guests on the track "Georgia Rose."

Latifah begins a tour to promote "Trav'lin' Light" in Dallas. Her upcoming film roles include the family film "Perfect Christmas" and the "heist movie" "Mad Money" with Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes.