Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Change Up The Groove (1974)

Roy Ayers Ubiquity
Change Up The Groove
Polydor PD 6032

This record probably gets overlooked a bit in favor of the Ubiquity releases that preceded it, but it is solid album.  Any record with Pretty Purdie on the drum kit is a solid album though, amiright? Soulful covers of Stevie Wonder, the Theme From MASH, and Roberta Flack are peppered among the originals. In fact, the latter artist – represented by Eugene McDaniels’ “Feel Like Makin’ Love” – is a particularly homegrown choice, as keyboardist Harry Whitaker was now a regular contributor to Roberta Flack’s group and would work as her arranger for a while.  Actually if I’m being honest, as the longest tune on the album I find it a bit boring, in spite of featuring what sounds like a Mellotron (not credited on the jacket). And the MASH theme (aka Suicide Is Painless) is kind of corny.  The real highlights are the original tunes like Sensitize, Fikisha, and The Boogie Back.  The group’s interpretation of the ubiquitous Stevie’s Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing does take celestial carefree flights of joy and should make you grin.  Don’t be fooled by the worn-out jacket: this Sterling Sound pressing is actually in very nice shape and I think the rip came out pretty good. Stay tuned for more Ubiquity from me this summer

A1  Change Up The Groove  4:36
A2  Sensitize  5:00
A3  Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing  4:13
A4  Mash Theme  4:59
B1  Fikisha (To Help Someone To Arrive)  2:48
B2  Feel Like Makin’ Love  5:20
B3  When Is Real, Real?  3:41
B4  The Boogie Back  4:40

Backing Vocals – James “BJ” Boston, Monica Burruss, Roy Ayers, Terry Burrell, Wayne Garfield
Bass – Wilbur Bascomb
Congas, Percussion – Chano O’Ferral
Drums – Bernard “Pretty” Purdy, Wilby Fletcher
Lead guitar – Calvin Brown
Piano, Clavinet, Electric Piano – Harry Whitaker, Leon Pendarvis
Rhythm Guitar – Gil Silva, Jerry Friedman
Sopranino Saxophone – George Braith
Synthesizer, Synthesizer [Arp], Arranged By [Synthesizers] – Pat Rebillot
Vibraphone, Vocals, Arranged By, Conductor – Roy Ayers

Mastered by Bob Ludwig

Artwork – Harriet Millman
Photography By – Greg Vaughn, Yvonne D. Lawton
Producer – Jerry Schoenbaum
Recorded By – Ron Johnson
Copyist – William Allen

Recorded At – Electric Lady Studios
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