The Incredible Sound Machine (1991)

About 10 years ago, artist-producer Curtis Mantronik was one of the first to create hip-house music by splicing together hip-hop's gritty street beats with the pounding house-music rhythms of dance clubs, and by mixing rap with old funk samples. But now he's only one of many — from C+C Music Factory to Teddy Riley — producing music in the hip-house style. Nevertheless, Mantronik continues to use his same old formula on The Incredible Sound Machine, his not-terribly- original third major-label release with his group Mantronix. Despite glistening vocals by newcomer Lade Trini, forceful rapping by Bryce Luvah, and some high-tech gimmickry, this upbeat R&B album lacks any great creative spark. B-