The fourth studio album from Durand Jones & The Indications is titled Flowers, as the band is blooming with confidence and maturity. The neo-soul group is never in a hurry throughout the record as their smooth get-down jams are custom-made for hot, lazy summer nights.
The self-produced album finds the core trio of Durand Jones – vocals, Aaron Frazer – drums/vocals/synths, & Blake Rhein – guitar/bass/synth, bringing onboard Steve Okonski (keys) and Michael Isvara Montgomery (bass). A host of supporting musicians and background singers fill out their sound in retro soul fashion. Written at Rhein’s Chicago studio, many tracks are based on one-take demos, as the leading trio was in the flow during Flowers’ creation, before expanding the album with soft strings, mellow horns, and more.
Opening with a brief introductory title track, the twinkling piano and flute work ease out on “Paradise,” with Jones’ falsetto vocals taking center stage. Jones’ vocals are the primary draw here, as the group develops lush sonic arrangements and lets the singing take center stage. “Lovers’ Holiday” is a lust-laden tune that bounces along on piano, bass, delicate percussion, and harmonies. At the same time, warbling guitars, keys, and strings push the light disco sound on “Really Wanna Be With You,” as both songs seek a love connection.
The retro soul of both “I Need An Answer” and the grooving “Flower Moon” recalls the more easy-going sides of acts like Earth, Wind & Fire, The Spinners, and especially The Stylistics. That mellow, floating soul style wafts through efforts like “Everything” and the album closer “Without You,” while things move more into light funk for “If Not For Love” and the organ- and chime-accented “Been So Long,” which is ripe for hip-hop sampling.
The album subtly shifts gears toward the end with “Rust and Steel”, a dramatic focal point featuring choir-laden backing vocals and an aching, theatrical arrangement that threatens to go over the top, but never does. Perhaps on a different album, the track would be bombastic and dominant, but the group’s last-second show of restraint fits the overall tone of Flowers wonderfully.
The laid-back neo-soul remains consistent throughout the album, as the foundational inspirations of 1970s soul are evident everywhere. Durand Jones & The Indications let the love and vocals shine on the blissful Flowers.
