Away from the litter of Snarky Puppy, keyboardist Bill Laurance more than holds his own delivering his own material with a rich mix of acoustic swing and electronic grooves. He’s got a joyful touch on the piano as Puppy drummer Rob Searight’s ride cymbal cracks the whip and Michael League’s bass solo goes deep on “The Rush.” The team is able to create exciting waves that rise and relax like a wave on “Never-Ending Story” and the fusion fest of “Red Sand.” Some sleek brush work makes “December in New York” a pastoral delight for Laurance, who always knows when to dig into a rivulet and when to let the chops wander into ecstatic experiments. There are some rich strings added to “Gold Coast,” “Swag Times” and “Fjords” making you feel you’re on a majestic hike in the hinterland. Laurance makes the journeys enjoyable.
www.billlaurance.com