Review Mixed For ‘Space Jam’ Tracks

First, the really good stuff about “Space Jam: Music From and Inspired By the ‘Space Jam’ Motion Picture”:

D’Angelo croons his butt off on “I’ve Found My Smile Again” on this 14-track, street-beat companion to Michael Jordan’s basketball-cartoon opus. Salt-N-Pepa has loads of fun with Diana Ross’ “Upside Down.” And Barry White joins comedian Chris Rock for a faithfully goofy rendition of Cheech & Chong’s “Basketball Jones.”

But All-4-One with another shiny ballad? Quad City DJs cranking out another piece of polished party pablum? Spin Doctors doing KC & the Sunshine Band with Biz Markie (“That’s the Way I Like It”)?

Uh, I’ll stick with the first-string guys, thanks.

OK, so this sort of stuff isn’t supposed to slice your synapses with its cutting edge. But this particular mix-and-match bag of radio-ready fare is pretty darn blunt, even for a flick as mainstream as “Space Jam.” Only Seal could make “Fly Like an Eagle” with less soul than Steve Miller’s original.

R. Kelly - in real life, a master of slow-burn sensuality - sells out with “I Believe I Can Fly,” a lame, string-drenched piece of maudlin cheez. Hot young Monica does nearly the same thing, and disco queen Robin S. turns in a lump of dance dullness.