Innocent Man (+DVD/Parental Advisory) [PA]

Echoing the title of his 1996 chart-topping single "Return of the Mack," the British soul scene's enfant terrible, Mark Morrison, jumps on the comeback trail with his second full-length album, Innocent Man, hoping to regain some of the momentum he lost thanks to various high-profile brushes with the law. Apart from the spiritual piano-led ballad "Just a Man" (also featured here in a bonus version with Alexander O'Neal), where Morrison makes what appears to be a sincere attempt to atone for his sins, and the soulful title track collaboration with DMX, the follow-up to his Mercury Music Prize-nominated debut very rarely alludes to his past indiscretions, instead focusing on a series of urban party anthems and late-night slow jams that show Morrison has lost none of the bravado of his tabloid-baiting heyday. With a guest list including Elephant Man on the Mary J. Blige-sampling dancehall of "Lately," Death Row rappers Daz Dillinger and Tray Deee on the Bollywood-inspired "Blackstabbers," and Mica Paris & the All Saints Road Community Choir on the finger-clicking gospel ballad "Journeys," Morrison has undoubtedly assembled an impressive roll call of collaborators to assist in his musical rehabilitation, but occasionally ends up playing second fiddle on his own record, particularly the clattering R&B duet with Jamaican reggae vocalist Tanya Stephens, "Dance 4 Me." The album's long gestation period also hinders his bid to reenter the limelight, as the new jack swing-influenced "Time to Creep," sub-Rodney Jerkins-esque staccato R&B of "Nigga Ain't No Good," and '80s-tinged soul of Zapp & Roger-sampling "Wanna Be You Man," not to mention the team-up with Gabrielle and Connor Reeves on "Best Friend" (originally released way back in 1999), might have sounded fresh at the time of recording, but now appear rather dated compared to the likes of younger Brit upstarts Jay Sean and Craig David. Innocent Man's reliance on featured star names means it feels more like a compilation than a cohesive studio album, but while it's unlikely to propel Morrison to the heights of his former glory days, there's still enough swagger to justify interest in his rather belated return. ~ Jon O'Brien|

シャバに戻って『Just A Man』で昨年復帰したばかりの極悪シンガーが、同作を再構築した新作で荒稼ぎを狙う!　ダブリ曲中心の手抜きな側面もあるけど、新たに迎えた客演者はDMX、エレファント・マン、アレクサンダー・オニール、タンヤ・スティーヴンスという豪華さ!　好相性な象さんとの“Lately”は特に格好いいし、ティッパ・アイリーと〈Drop Leaf〉オケで絡むリミックスもUKらしいアイデア。ただのチンピラじゃないよ!
bounce (C)出嶌 孝次