** 1/2; SIR MIX-A-LOT, “Chief Boot Knocka” (<i> American/Rhyme Cartel</i> )

Sir Mix-a-Lot is the rare rap artist whose style is so distinctive that even a hip-hop dabbler can name that rapper within a couple of notes. Whether it’s his semi-singing rap delivery or his trademark lashing beats, he put Seattle on the rap map with his distinguished sound.

Mix--who wrote, mixed, arranged, engineered and produced--has created an album that incorporates more ‘70s funk than his three earlier efforts. Compliments of Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea and a Bootsy Collins sample, “Sleepin’ Wit My Fonk” includes one of the year’s heaviest, grooviest bass lines. Best known for his big booty opus “Baby Got Back,” Mix maintains his love of the female anatomy--always more schoolboy horny than offensive--on the title song.

Just in case you thought he was only a “posterior” man, Sir Mix-a-Lot details his love of ample chests on “Let It Bounce” and “DBL the Pleasure/Put ‘Em on Da”--a nasty party song that includes a rousing, lewd chant. Unfortunately, though, “DBL the Pleasure” sounds a bit too much like a forced sequel to “Baby Got Back.”

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).