"The Feeling Is Mutual" is an original composition by Caity Gyorgy from her album Featuring, recorded in 2021. Set in B-flat with a 32-bar ABAC form, the tune flies at a quick 221 beats per minute in a driving swing feel, making it one of the album's fastest performances. Two soloists are featured, both members of Gyorgy's core ensemble. Pianist Felix Fox-Pappas opens the solo section with a full chorus, navigating the rapid changes with the fluency and harmonic command he displays throughout the album. Acoustic bassist Thomas Hainbuch follows with his own full chorus, a notable feature given that extended bass solos at this tempo demand exceptional technique and rhythmic precision. The ABAC form provides a somewhat less predictable harmonic pathway than the standard AABA, with the C section offering fresh material that keeps the soloists engaged. At this pace, each 32-bar chorus lasts less than 40 seconds, requiring both players to make decisive musical statements within a compact timeframe. The pairing of piano and bass solos creates an effective contrast, moving from the full harmonic palette of the piano to the spare, focused lines of the acoustic bass. This track exemplifies the album's spirit of camaraderie, showcasing the rhythm section players who support every track and here step into featured roles of their own.
