Teddy Riley Taps a Courtly Groove

In the late 1980s and early ‘90s, Teddy Riley--the Harlem-bred producer-writer-musician widely regarded as the godfather of hip-hop/soul--generated streetwise, sexually charged gems for numerous acts, including his own now-defunct group, Guy. But with his current outfit, Blackstreet, Riley has grown increasingly conservative, drawing on old-school virtues such as chivalry and religious faith.

Blackstreet’s third album picks up where 1996’s “Another Level” left off, with lithe, ingratiating tunes that stress romance and morality over male bravado and hip-hop brio. The guitar-kissed “Misery Interlude” and the gently pining “In a Rush” (which features Stevie Wonder on harmonica) sound like Babyface B-sides, while “Finally” and “Hustler’s Prayer” combine spiritual imagery with gospel and soul accents.

But the album’s best tracks prove that Riley hasn’t entirely lost touch with his frisky side. “Girlfriend/Boyfriend,” a deft duet with Janet Jackson, percolates with carnal energy. “Think About You,” with its slow, sultry grooves and sly horn accents, suggests action more than thought. For all his high-minded soul-searching, Riley is still more convincing as a player than he is in prayer.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.