Leroy Jones joins Helsinki natives Spirit of New Orleans for some “traditional New Orleans jazz with a 21st Century flavor.” Along with standards including “St. James Infirmary”, the band tackles hymns (“Amazing Grace,” “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”) and even an original by Jones (“Esko’s Delight”). Not surprisingly, it’s Jones who seems most at home in this music, though musicianship is solid all around. Risto Salmi on reeds gives some great solos.

But something’s missing from SONO’s sound. Many tracks start convincingly but fail to take off, plodding toward the finish line and then fizzling. I found myself pleading for the band to let loose a little. This is music that benefits from the occasional crescendo, but here the volume dial is stuck.

Eepi Ursin’s vocal work is a case in point. She’s polished and confident, but her subdued approach seems oddly out of place. As a Finnish group, perhaps SONO doesn’t feel enough ownership of this music to really make it their own. They seem terrified of putting a foot out of line, yet this is music that would profit greatly if they did just that.

SONO’s style shines through best on playful tracks like “Esko’s Delight,” a tight, witty composition that benefits from the clarity of the group’s sound. Other times, though, it feels like they’re just going through the motions. The motions are immaculately choreographed, to be sure. Spirit of New Orleans has this music down to a science, but that might be their problem.