Album Reviews : In Brief : * Guru, “Jazzmatazz, Volume 2: The New Reality,” Chrysalis/ EMI.

Though “Vol. 2” of this jazz/hip-hop hybrid includes such contributors as jazzmen Donald Byrd and Freddie Hubbard, vocalists Chaka Khan, Me’shell NdegeOcello and Guru--who as the MC for Gangstarr is one of rap’s top talents--the album is wan both musically and lyrically compared to the first outing. “Living in This World” and “Lost Souls” combine dreamy soundscapes with Guru’s signature Afro-centric positivity, but overall the album is so sleepy it makes Digable Planets seem energetic. Guru plays the House of Blues on Sept. 30.

* 1/2, MN8, “To the Next Level,” Sony. Although the album title suggests otherwise, ain’t a trailblazer among this British R&B; quartet. Obviously smitten with American ‘70s soul, ‘80s New Jack Swing and the terminally rhythmic King of Pop, members K.G., G-Man, Kule T and Dee-Tails reverently duplicate all these styles without bringing an original idea to the party. Harmless, upbeat, but not particularly interesting.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (e x cellent).