Mockingbird Soul (Self-released, 2017)

Singer/songwriters Brigitte DeMeyer and Will Kimbrough have known each other for at least half a dozen years and worked together on several projects since. Nevertheless, "Mockingbird Soul" marks their debut as a duo. In retrospect, it seems strange that the two haven't opted for co-billing before, given the fact that they create such a supple blend when they join their voices in harmony - opening track "Everything" and the sweet and serene "I Can Hear Your Voice" being two prime examples. Or when they simply share their songwriting skills on the majority of the dozen tracks that make up this exceptional effort.

That said, the synchronicity is mostly evident in the common template they share when it comes to blues, soul and a kind of rough-hewn Americana that seems to derive from rootsier realms. The rustic trappings of songs such as "Broken Fences" and "Rainy Day" suggest a sound borne from the bayou and the grittier surroundings where original blues was originally born. And while there are mellower moments found as well - the lovely "Until Then" and the beguiling ballad "Little Easy" in particular - it's that bluesy vibe, which is purveyed overall.

Aside from the fact that this is a belated pairing, none of these additives comes as any surprise at all, especially considering the duo's common affinity for a southern sensibilities. The sassy sashay of "Honey Bee" not only makes that point, but also becomes a sterling example of how DeMeyer assumes the guise of a devoted chanteuse. And with Kimbrough's seasoned approach as an instrumental auteur, the combination clicks from the get-go. Clearly it seems that the two have found new life with one another.