Customer Reviews

Virgin Ubiquity: Unreleased Recordings 1976-1981

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I usually view "unreleased recordings" with suspicion. After all, if they weren't released in the first place, then something must have been wrong with them. Right?

In the case of "Virgin Ubiquity," song selections were culled from a massive amount of master tapes that Roy was able to keep back in the day (thanks to the negotiating of a shrewd lawyer). These songs are not throwaways or filler. In many cases, they even top the quality of material that Roy did release in the late 70s. And for this reason, "Virgin Ubiquity" is a holy grail for true Ayers (and even current acid jazz and neosoul fans), in both theory and reality.

Memorable songs include the perfect "Boogie Down," with an irresistable swirling groove that will make you wonder why Roy never released it. It's already a classic in my eyes. Then there's "Brand New Feeling," which stretches nearly 10 minutes long with the sound that Ayers fan clamor for. (Some minor vocal pitch issues and one small/amusing lyrics slip-up warrant its unreleased status.) The vocals by Sylvia Cox are truly passion-fueled and intense, and Roy's comments about her and why she split from the band (in the great liner notes) will increase the mystery and, perhaps, tragicness behind this powerful performance.

Virgin Ubiquity does an excellent job at spotlighting Roy's female vocalists, even more than his own vibes work. Especially in the case of Merry Clayton, the infamous 70s session singer, who sings lead on 6 of the CD's 13 cuts. (Other featured vocalists include Cox, Carla Vaughn and Dianne Ventner.) The potent, gruff-voiced Clayton shines on each track she touches -- especially on the William Allen-penned "Oh What a Lonely Feeling."

An earlier comment made that these songs sound like "Running Away" remakes is simply not true since most are more mellow or mid-tempo than dancefloor-oriented. So for fans who prefer Roy's uptempo stuff, this might be the only downfall.

If you are a fan of Ayers albums like "Everybody Loves the Sunshine," "Fever," "Let's Do It," "Searching" and everything else from '76 up to '82 (including the Ramp, Wayne Henderson & "Starbooty" releases), you'll find even more to love on "Virgin Ubiquity." You might even like it better than some of the aforementioned. Guaranteed.

djsoulsister.com

Gilles Peterson played a lot of this album on Worldwide in March of 2003. Something like half the tracks are really good, but this album is so worth it. This is some of the smoothest music I've ever heard.

man why did'nt this come out back in the day is beyond me love the beats wish future rappers would sample these instead of hearing these wack techno beats anyway green gold is my favorite on here and you get to hear mystic voyage with vocals also roy hits you with those psychedelic vibes long live roy ayers any fan of his should cop this and volume 2 both are worthy to add to youtr collection.

I am saddened that this work is not known more to the "casual" listener, because I really feel that the fans of this era of music would endorse it to the fullest.

for any true roy ayers fans out there these virgin ubiquity albums are a must. as a whole, the content is better than most of the "ALBUMS" he released in the 70' and 80's. believe me, i own nearly everything roy has ever done. from the straight ahead stuff from the 60's, to the ubiquity years of the early 70's, to the height of his career in the latter 70's, to the leaner years in the late 80's and early 90's, to now. let me tell you all that now is awesome stuff. if you don't have it get it.

There was a reason why this stuff was vaulted. This cd is Most Definitely for the hardcore Ayers fans. Most of the tracks sound like "Running Away" rejects. The Cd isn't ALL bad there are a couple of good tracks on here. Now Im an Ayers(head), but I wish I didn't rush out to buy this one.

...Abrir un "Vault" puede llenarnos de sorpresas. Y creo que en el "Vault" de Roy debe haber cosas mucho más impresionantes que las que podemos oir en este CD. Creo que toda la discografía de Roy tiene altibajos, pero su época sin fisuras es 1970-1976, justo el período Polydor que no aparece en este CD. Pero, igualmente, encontramos varias joyitas, con buena mezcla y buen sonido. Esperemos que si hay un volumen dos abarque el período antes mensionado...Y OJALÁ POLYDOR SE DIGNE A EDITAR LOS LP DE LOS AÑOS 1970-1981 QUE AÚN NO SALIERON EN CD!!!
(QUE SON COMO QUINCE)

José