Boundary-Bending Hip-Hop and Soul From Bell Biv DeVoe

BELL BIV DEVOE

“Hootie Mack”

MCA

* * * 1/2

Alternative hip-hop/soul?

That might be a suitable label for Bell Biv DeVoe’s second album, which continues the exploration of the boundaries of soul and hip-hop that the trio began on its debut. Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe and Michael Bivins--a spinoff of New Edition--paddle around the fringes of the mainstream, often sounding like the Manhattan Transfer of hip-hop.

What’s fascinating is their helter-skelter vocal interplay and their vocal high jinks--odd harmonies, variations on the melody, sometimes lagging behind the beat or accelerating past it in true jazz style. Raps by Louis Carr Jr. pop up in strange places. The rhythm tracks, though, are largely conventional. Even when the vocals become too dissonant, you can latch onto the catchy, comforting rhythms.

The lyrics range from serious to silly. There’s a plea for a more harmonious society, “Show Me the Way,” and the somber “The Situation,” about dealing with a pregnant girlfriend. We didn’t really need another ode to the female rear end, but “Ghetto Booty” is arguably the best of the lot. Even their fairly straight romantic material--like “Something in Your Eyes” and “Please Come Back”--takes unexpected vocal twists and turns.

Tunes that are favorable to pot-smoking--the title song and “Nickel”--may generate controversy but, musically, they’re adventurous gems. There’s a misstep or two on the album, but never a dull moment.