** 1/2 SHINEHEAD “The Real Rock� <i> Elektra</i> :<i> Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to five (a classic). : </i>

Shinehead’s 1988 debut album “Unity� placed the Jamaican-born, New York City-bred reggae rapper in the forefront of reggae’s new generation and established him as one of the freshest young artists in any genre. His pastiches blended a wide array of sources and stances without slipping into forced eclecticism.

“The Real Rock� is a mystifying follow-up because Shinehead has abandoned the panoramic sweep for a one-dimensional, electronic reggae/rap groove. Only the version of Sly Stone’s “Family Affair� creates the excitement of never knowing what’s going to come flying at you next.

The remaining material just explores facets of Shinehead’s sound one at a time. The skeletal foundations are catchy enough--particularly the dynamic techno-roots groove to the Christian-themed title track--but the gleeful embellishments that made “Unity� memorable are missing.

Instead, there are lightweight novelties and facile exhortations to maintain a positive attitude. “Good Things� and the Everly Brothers’ “Till I Kissed You� are more satisfying displays of Shinehead’s singing skills in a ‘50s R&B;, innocent vein. But even the strongest songs are more well-crafted than inspirational, and the cleverest verbal forays are undercut by the musical retrenchment.