Roy Ayers Ubiquity: "Change Up The Groove"

This one always seems to get lost in the heralded, cherished footsteps of Ayers’ early ‘70’s output.  It’s not as raw as “Ubiquity,” not as rare as “He’s Coming,” not as iconic as “Red, Black & Green.”  It is, however, exceptional in its own right and on its own terms, and so if you can for one moment forget whatever preference you may have for the aforementioned records and open up your mind to this one, you will be pleasantly surprised.  The title cut serves as a sort of signifier for the theme of the album, featuring Ayers’ trademark, knotty vibes riffs against a pounding, bass-heavy, jazz-funk backdrop.  Songs like “Sensitize” and “Fikisha (To Help Someone To Arrive)” operate in that unique space that only Ayers has ever managed to navigate successfully, that is, on the borderline between avant-garde spiritual jazz and accessible ‘70’s funk.  Even the cover choices here stand out, though one may feel some trepidation when they see “Theme From M.A.S.H.” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love” on the track listing.  What might have been ill-conceived filler material in the hands of lesser artists is rendered with mastery by Ayers and his Ubiquity crew, transcending the MOR origins of the songs themselves to fit into the band’s greater spiritual-jazz-funk vision.  The album closes with the break-beat staple “The Boogie Back,” street-funk drumming and fuzz guitars breaking bread with one another until the inevitable fade-out occurs.  While “Change Up The Groove” may not be elevated into the pantheon of Roy Ayers’ most classic LP’s, after even a cursory listen, it is confusing as to why that is the case.  ‘Cause it’s the shit.