Marcus Johnson | Flo Chill, Vol. 2

Album Review: Marcus Johnson | Flo Chill – Volume 2: Juris

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Contemporary jazz Renaissance man Marcus Johnson is not content to merely own a record label. He’s speaks at music conferences, is an avid jazz and African-American historian, and supports his favorite political causes with musical benefits. He’s released straight-ahead jazz projects. Smooth-jazz CDs. Earlier this year, he stepped out of the box with a genre-defying album marrying jazz and a few of his rock favorites – including tunes from Nirvana and Steve Miller.

He’s now returned with the second in his Flo Chill series, which certainly could compete with what the hip DJs are spinning in Ibiza. Hypnotic and seductive, Flo Chill, Vol. 2 scores a coup with the recruitment of French hip-hop and mix-master Young Pulse of the SoFresh Squad and creator of the French remix of Soulja Boy’s “Crank That.” Deep bass lines keep punchy rhythm over the course of 10 original songs hard to peg, but with elements of downtempo, trip-hop, jazz, R&B and other ingredients bubbling in this hot brew.

“Eiffel Tower” is a prescient opener: its slowly leads into more aggressive sounds, conga percussion from Names (Nombres) Thompson, cool-long keyboard runs from Johnson, and long synth sweeps and drum programming from Young Pulse. There’s even a dub interlude. “Summertime” holds more closely to a hip-hop groove and highlights Johnson’s infectious, squirrely synth lead. “Nanosecond Culture” is a drums-and-bass delight, while “Love Affair” is a minor-key, operatic composition riding over staccato drum and snare sounds – perfect for chill-out rooms. Johnson has more surprises, including the hypnotic “Oaxaca” and the snazzy “In My Room,” the latter with head-bopping piano runs.

The one vocal, “Suffice to Say,” adds European charm and is written and features vocals by Saba Moeel.

Flo Chill is much more than just lounge. The music is more angular, and there are many entry points. Johnson really pulls it off.

Brian Soergel

The Urban Music Scene