In 2004 Rapster/BBE released, to much global critical acclaim, the first Virgin Ubiquity album, an amazing collection of unreleased recordings from everyone?s favorite vibes man, Roy Ayers. He is the embodiment of positiv... more »e, creative energy at its zenith, and at the youthful age of 63, he shows no signs of slowing down. Roy?s vault, having been opened to BBE?s Peter Adarkwah, has offered up a second albums? worth of previously unreleased precious gems. Over most of 2004 a huge quantity of 2-inch reels were lovingly restored. After an agonizing process of elimination, the tracks before us were delivered to Jamey Staub, who lovingly mixed each retrieved master, giving lush warmth to the finished album, rarely heard in the modern era. VUII is collection of newfound funky grooves that will undoubtedly appeal equally to hip-hoppers, soul lovers, jazz freaks, young, and old.« less
In 2004 Rapster/BBE released, to much global critical acclaim, the first Virgin Ubiquity album, an amazing collection of unreleased recordings from everyone?s favorite vibes man, Roy Ayers. He is the embodiment of positive, creative energy at its zenith, and at the youthful age of 63, he shows no signs of slowing down. Roy?s vault, having been opened to BBE?s Peter Adarkwah, has offered up a second albums? worth of previously unreleased precious gems. Over most of 2004 a huge quantity of 2-inch reels were lovingly restored. After an agonizing process of elimination, the tracks before us were delivered to Jamey Staub, who lovingly mixed each retrieved master, giving lush warmth to the finished album, rarely heard in the modern era. VUII is collection of newfound funky grooves that will undoubtedly appeal equally to hip-hoppers, soul lovers, jazz freaks, young, and old.
Jerry N. Smart | UPPER MARLBORO, MARYLAND United States | 09/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rather than break down each and every song on this project I will simply state that it all depends on what mood you are in, which song will set you on fire. Like other reviewers, I highly recommend this CD to the avid Roy Ayers fan. "I Am Your Mind part 2" and "Funk In The Hole" are my personal favorites. Just these two combined for 13 minutes of pure funk/grooves are worth the purchase in my book. Whatever, or whenever the mood, this project will satisfy your earhole. "Holiday", "Liquid Love", and "Release Yourself" add more history and enjoyment than your mind can stand. The Executive Producers did an outstanding job with this hidden treasure."
Roy Ayers Radio
Cleveland | Washington DC | 06/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What can I say? Roy Ayers is the man! He has blessed us with a plethora of unreleased (never heard before) cuts from his 70's heyday! Let's call it new vintage hits! "Funky in the hole" is my favorite! You can hear Roy Ayers on the new radio station www.iM4radio.com broadcasting live all day everyday. Studio line is 1.877.iM4radio BUY THIS CD RIGHT NOW on CDNOW!"
Pick it up-pick it up
Kahn S. Davison | detroit | 09/10/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"More times than not unreleased material needs to stay in the mixing console, computers, and equalizers it was born in. But funk/grove icon Roy Ayers is trying to disprove the theory again with his second installment of Virgin Ubiquity. Like the last one, the thirteen songs resemble a team Pistons style: great fillers but no real hits. Come to me, Release yourself, Kwajilori are vintage Ayers feel-good-roll-the-windows-down tunes while Holiday gives props to MLK day. The jewels on the CD are the spoken word driven I am your mind pt. 2 which features Ayers doing his best (but good) Carl Clay impression and Sunshine; a dreamy reprise of his 1976 classic that features Ayers himself on lead vocals. Tarazan and I like the way should have been kept unreleased while Liquid Love is as sexy as it sounds. Virgin Ubiquity is essential to loyal Ayers fans and newbies to his work, while others will find this is the perfect CD for lying in a hammock under lot of shade and a cool breeze."
Strong Buy - Even Better than Vol. 1
CEdward | Southern USA | 08/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Roy has done it again. These unreleased gems could have held their own with any of his stuff from the albums back-in-the-day. "Holiday" tribute to MLK is my favorite, with "Funk In The Hole" a close 2nd. Overall the song selections are an eclectic mix of material that nicely represent Roy's musical genius and skillful production. The liner notes written by Roy leave a lot to be desired, and seem like he just threw them together at the last minute, adding very little backdrop -- the original production date/year for the tracks aren't even included (Sorry Roy - it had to be said!). Would I buy it again? Heck yeah! Go get Vol. 1 too if you don't already have it."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
