Ronnie Laws | Solid Ground
This 1981 MASTERPIECE ! (Originally released on an EMI imprint at the time, Liberty Records), now reissued on CD via EMI's subsidiary, the legendary Blue Note Records, is considered a highly regarded collection of music from one of jazz music's most revered saxophonist.
Opening track "Heavy On Easy" with it's heavy bass synth pattern performed by Larry Dunn, then EWF member Roland Bautista on guitar, Barnaby Finch on electric pianos, Bubba Bryant on drums, and Leon Johnson laying down those smooth basslines, is a fine indication of what's to come, GREAT MUSIC! Ronnie's performance throughout this track, and album for that matter, is superb as he doubled his multiple sax parts.
The ballad "Stay Awake", features Ronnie's smooth solo lead and backing vocals, and an amazing alto sax solo. With it's great live string arrangement, it's a song that builds from a mid tempo mellow groove to a climatic ending. This is truly one of the many wonderful songs on this disc.
Album title track "Solid Ground", featured another "in the pocket"guitarist, Pat Kelly. Along with Larry Dunn's nimble keyboard work in the intro on the Mini-Moog, Leon Johnson on electric bass, and background vocalists, session vet Marlena Jeter, and Gwen Machu predominantly featured throughout the entire song, you'll feel like partying up a storm!
Then you have "Your Stuff" Another bass synth laden track that had me playing air bass synth when I first heard it. Bass Synth courtesy of keyboard wizard Denzil "Broadway" Miller. Ronnie just blew me away with his solo on soprano sax. This track features his brother Hubert on a blistering flute solo. The whispery seductive female background vocals gives track a sex appeal that have you swooning.
Ballad "Just As You Are", is just a lovely song. The warm tone of the soprano sax, Larry Dunn's Mini Moog fills, and Denzil Miller's Fender Rhodes performance are executed with precision and clarity.
The anthemic summer time song, "Summer Fool", features his sister and recording artist in her own right, Debra Laws. A funky head bopping track. Ronnie once again flexes his chops on a great soprano sax solo.
Closing track "Good Feelings" is exactly what it state, a "GOOD FEELING" type of song! Great rhythm track, solid groove, fantastic background vocals featuring his other sister, and recording artist is her own right, Eloise Laws, along with background vocalists Marlena Jeter and Maxi Anderson.
If you own this CD, cassette, or even vinyl, do yourself a favor and please revisit it! You'll be glad you did. The project is great testimony to Ronnie's sheer genius.
Happy Listening!
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
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