Some albums are meant to be listened to, to be savored and digested through careful analysis. Then there is the background music CD, which contains sounds meant to compliment a quiet evening at home or to set a calm, romantic mood. Jazz pianist Marcus Johnson’s side project FLO, or For the Love Of, creates such accompaniment with their three newest CDs: FLO: Romance, FLO: Chill, and FLO: Standards. Relaxation remains the goal of the project, and if you desire music that serves as a mood enhancer rather than as an attentive listening experience, FLO fulfills that requirement.
FLO: Romance includes a mixture of original and cover tunes, all performed in a smooth jazz style. Unlike the other CDs, this one features vocals by such artists as Alyson Williams, Stoney Ellis, Keith Ailer, and Frank McComb. Originals such as “I Wanna” set the mood nicely with a sexy sax solo and Johnson’s piano work, reminiscent of pianist Joe Sample. “Soft and Warm” is enhanced by Williams’s honey-coated vocals. Johnson wisely chose to cover “Til The Cops Come Knocking,” a track off Maxwell’s neo soul classic Urban Hang Suite. While the original leans more toward R&B, FLO injects it with jazz by substituting the original vocals with piano and sax (excepting the refrain and a few short lines). Maxwell’s song lends itself well to a smooth jazz reinterpretation. However, the smooth jazz treatment overwhelms the standard “My Funny Valentine;” that classic is best served with minimal arrangement and straightforward jazz vocals.
In contrast, FLO: Chill is the weakest of the three albums. A brief disclosure: I’m not a big fan of “chill” or “lounge” music, which essentially combines jazz, dance, and sometimes a touch of electronica. These songs are typically mid-tempo and offer few, if any, vocals. Often the genre results in endless drum loops, meandering chords, and melodies that never reach any crescendo or end point. Like smooth jazz, however, “chill” is meant to be experienced rather than slavishly listened to. Two FLO: Chill tracks I did like, “Another Planet” and “Shalom,” serve as perfect accompaniments for a cocktail party, and unlike other “chill” tracks I’ve heard, are under five minutes long.
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