** 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.