Supreme Beings have class, not spark

For Supreme Beings of Leisure, the studio is where music comes alive, with a sophisticated sense of pop possibility and a classy mix of styles and eras, global accents and a cool ‘60s mod flavor. The Los Angeles act’s newest album, “Divine Operating System,” would make a fine soundtrack for your next cocktail party.

At the House of Blues on Wednesday, that sound remained worthwhile, but the spark was missing. Singer Geri Soriano-Lightwood was a game performer and a pleasant, energetic host, but her elegant soprano had lost its personality. She had neither the high glamour of Shirley Bassey nor the smoky trip-hop mood swings of Portishead’s Beth Gibbons.

Too often Soriano-Lightwood seemed buried in the busy mix at the very times she should have dominated. There were moments when she approached a fitting sultriness, as during the dynamic soul-searching of “Ghetto,” wrapping her voice around the song’s slick funk groove. But as a whole, the Supreme Beings kept their emotional distance.

“Does everyone have a martini?” the singer asked early in the 90-minute set. Her partner, Ramin Sakurai, stood behind his keyboards and electronic gear, and, joined by live bass, drums, guitar and occasional saxophone, all played with a loose, light touch.

Soriano-Lightwood twisted behind the microphone, reaching for romance and drama. And on “Calamity Jane,” the singer actually surpassed her performance on the new album.

But the concert overall failed to create a lasting mood. A couple of martinis might have helped.