(**) KEITH SWEAT, “Get Up on It”; <i> Elektra</i>

Just call this mood music for the love gangstas and roughnecks, two core groups that Sweat affectionately gives a shout-out to on his latest album. Having cranked out several sex-obsessed singles since the mid-’80s, the New Yorker still keeps his narrow focus on the body’s reproductive regions. That isn’t necessarily bad news to those who’ve followed his career since “I Want Her,” his sweat-drenched ode to lust at first sight.

While his biggest hits in recent years have been those he co-wrote for the group Silk, Sweat puts his characteristic nasal whine to effective use on “How Do You Like It,” featuring TLC’s Lisa Lopes. This brand of New Jack Swing doesn’t actually sound that new anymore, but Sweat gets it to swing after a fashion.

As a new artist, Sweat arguably did his best work under the direction of producer Teddy Riley. There seemed to be more heart then in the midst of all that funk-driven, hormonal hip-hop. Sweat may still be rough and ready, but aside from one or two strong tracks, this album is stymied by too many dry ideas.

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