Ladies First

Description

As one reviewer wrote: “A refreshing antidote to the sometimes overly aggressive posture of contemporary jazz ensembles can be found in the deliberate elegance of a performance that captures the fluid grace of dance. On “Ladies First,” a standout seven-minute selection from Laid Back, Vol. 1, trumpeter-composer Rich Willey demonstrates his considerable skills as a tunesmith, offering an engaging melody layered over a series of highly interesting chord changes that carry a subtle, irresistible kinetic energy.

The composition is elevated to an even loftier plane by the brilliant pen of arranger Wally Minko. Minko has sculpted a highly sophisticated chart that frames the principal theme with a translucent, effortless drive. Under the sharp, discerning studio direction of producer Carey Deadman, the track maintains an impeccable balance between spontaneous, small-group interaction and crystalline production values. Deadman captures a wonderfully warm, late-night atmosphere that provides a hospitable cushion for the soloists while allowing the superb rhythm section to lock into an airtight groove. Guitarist Felton Offard introduces a series of tasteful, rhythmic accents, while bassist Chuck Webb and drummer Charles Heath anchor the tune with a supple, buoyant pulse that commands the feet without ever overwhelming the ear.

As the piece unfolds, Willey makes a selfless and mature artistic choice. He delivers the initial melody statement with a robust tone, clean articulation, and a beautifully paced lyrical logic—and then steps aside completely. By choosing not to take a trumpet solo, the leader puts the entire spotlight on the strength of his composition and the formidable talents of his ensemble, letting the arrangement itself dictate the narrative arc.

The wisdom of this restraint becomes clear as the improvisational hand-offs begin. Keyboardist Paul Mutzabaugh steps into the center ring, unleashing an incredible solo on the Hammond B3. Mutzabaugh coaxes a rich, swirling, and deeply soulful expression from the manuals, building an earthy, blues-drenched narrative that dramatically elevates the track’s emotional temperature.

This masterful organ workout sets the stage perfectly for John Swana, whose subsequent flight on the Electronic Valve Instrument (EVI) is nothing short of otherworldly. Where lesser hands might sound mechanical on a synthesizer controller, Swana crafts an astonishingly fluid, ethereal improvisation, navigating Minko’s arrangement with a breathtaking, liquid-fire agility that seems to float entirely above the rhythm section’s pocket.

The juxtaposition of Mutzabaugh’s gritty B3, the elegance of Willey’s melody statement, and Swana’s cascading electronic wind lines makes “Ladies First” a triumphant success. It is modern jazz of the highest caliber—thoughtful, impeccably executed, and thoroughly engaging.”