In the hands of Clarence Johnson III, smooth jazz finds its edge. The New Orleans saxophonist, who is best known in straight-up or creative jazz though is regularly heard working as a sideman in rhythm and blues, brings his huge improvisational powers to the often-scorned genre. As heard on his self-penned opening title cut, Johnson attacks tunes with his very identifiable and individual tone and percussive saxophone pops. His arrangement on “Watch Him Work” utilizes the sharp horn section much as if it was a big band. Very much at center stage throughout the album, Johnson ultimately takes the song further than one might expect from smooth jazz.

Violinist Michael Ward, one of the best-known local purveyors of the genre, prefers to call the style contemporary instrumental music and that description really works when considering Watch Him Work. The music here sways rather than swings—though, with Johnson blowing tenor or soprano sax, it also slurs and soars in displaying the leader’s profusion of ideas.

Johnson’s romantic, soulful and spiritual nature pours out on another one of his fine originals, “Mama’s Prayer.” It finds completeness with the interchange between his saxophone and the guitar of Steve Masakowski.

The funky vibe Johnson gives to the classic “Grazin’ in the Grass” offers a good change of pace. We hear yet another of Johnson’s voices, his wonderfully warm vocals, on a fine arrangement of romantic standard “The Way You Look Tonight.”

Johnson called in the cream of New Orleans musicians for this outing, with Mike Esnault strongly holding down the keyboards on most cuts and a variety of artists moving in and out of the band. Guitarist Bill Solley takes off on Johnson’s original “Brian’s Journey,” aided by drummer Jamison Ross and bassist Chris Severin.

Johnson is ultimately an intuitive musician. The saxophonist’s performance on Watch Him Work elicits a smile, or perhaps a wistful sigh, and, as always, contains the element of surprise.