Keeping Company

It’s nice to see Laurance and League are still stepping away from their Snarky Puppy duties for this more introspective duo project. Following on from their 2023 release Where You Wish You Were, Keeping Company once again features the delicate pairing of piano with oud or bass. It’s another masterclass in atmospheric elegance. The 11 tracks are delightfully intimate, peppered with the sounds of fingers on strings, appreciative grunts as the two explore their melodies and even sighs on the beautiful second track ‘You’. Recorded live with minimal overdubbing, there is an emphasis on organic collaboration between these two long-time friends. The result is a collection of compositions that feel both spontaneous and deeply personal. Even though League brings his oud back into the mix, he seems to be leaning more into his own soundworld so there is less of the Middle Eastern influence than in the last release. But there is still much here to love for those who enjoyed Where You Wish You Were. As always, their performances are imbued with honesty, authenticity and a shared love for their craft, making Keeping Company a true celebration of collaboration and exploration.