SUPERHEAVY

SuperHeavy

[Universal Republic]

Mick Jagger, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Damian Marley and A.R. Rahman are billing themselves collectively as SuperHeavy, but the all-star quintet’s debut doesn’t quite earn them the label of supergroup. That criticism isn’t a knock on any of the album’s individual tracks. The first half could be the foundation for a perfectly fine, guest-heavy Marley record, and the last half would be adequate filler on an adult-oriented Jagger release. But there’s little sense in recruiting impactful performers like Stone and Rahman and then relegating them to cameo status in their own band. Stone is utilized mainly as a foil for Jagger; Rahman, most famous in the West for his Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack, contributes Eastern arrangements that are usually given a few seconds of exposure. Only his “Satyameva Jayathe” (including a little Sanskrit from Sir Mick) and the cool, rough-edged reggae of “Miracle Worker” take this talented crew in interesting multicultural directions. –David Styburski