The Carnival

06/24/1997 3:00 AM, LAUNCH
Chris Morris

It's hard not to like this first solo effort by Fugees member Jean, but it's also difficult to love it. The Haiti-born musician has made this set more than just another hip-hop album by bringing a cornucopia of styles to the table--where else are you going to find cameos by salsa queen Celia Cruz, New Orleans family band the

Neville Brothers, Antillean zouk act

Kassav and reggae vocal trio the I Threes? Jean also demonstrates a knack for melodically deft songwriting (see "Gone Til November" and "Mona Lisa") and a laudable impatience with the conventions of gangsta rap. However, the album is far too long at 74 minutes; three songs in French may be a couple too many for anybody except les homeboys; and a stupid series of running playlets brings the proceedings to a screeching halt on several occasions. So chalk this one up as a strong but decidedly mixed affair.