Product details
- Label Polydor
- Artist Roy Ayers Ubiquity
- Format 1LP
- Country United States
- Released Date 1977
- Genre Jazz
- Sealed No
- Media Condition Very Good Plus (VG+)
- Sleeve Condition Very Good Plus (VG+)
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Condition: Used
Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Condition Notes:
Couple scuffs on both sides. No serious effect on play, just some random crackles.
Lifeline by Roy Ayers Ubiquity.
By 1977, Roy Ayers Ubiquity had become one of the most distinctive vehicles in the fusion of jazz, soul, and funk, and "Lifeline" captures that vision at a moment of confident momentum. Released on Polydor Incorporated and manufactured out of New York, this is a record that moves with the grooves and grit of its era while keeping one foot firmly in the vibraphone-driven warmth that made Ayers a singular voice.
Ayers takes the reins as producer here, joined by co-producers Edwin Birdsong and William Allen, a partnership that shapes the album's texture from the ground up. Ayers also handles the bulk of the arranging, stamping his signature on everything from "Running Away" through the title track and on into the B-side cuts, while William Allen arranges the opener "This Side Of Sunshine" and Birdsong lends his own touch to "Sanctified Feeling." That division of labor gives the record a cohesive core with just enough variation to keep each side feeling alive.
The A-side opens bright with "This Side Of Sunshine" before easing into "Running Away," one of those cuts that has kept Ayers's name circulating through crate diggers and dancefloors for decades. "Gotta Find A Lover" and "I Still Love You" carry the soulful current forward, leading to the title track "Lifeline," a centerpiece that anchors the album's emotional weight and gives the whole set its name.
Flip to the B-side and the mood shifts into something looser and funkier. "Cincinnati Growl" and "Fruit" lean into rhythm and attitude, while "Sanctified Feeling," shaped by Birdsong's arrangement, brings a spiritual lift. "Stranded In The Jungle" and the closing "Together" round out a second side that rewards repeat listening, showing how Ayers could balance playful energy with genuine feeling.
Much of the album's character comes through its voices. Dee Dee Bridgewater brings her remarkable vocal presence into the mix, joined by Edwin Birdsong and Sylvia Cox, a trio of singers who add color, depth, and human warmth across the record. Their contributions turn these arrangements into something that breathes, elevating the grooves with real personality.
This is a record for anyone drawn to the crossroads where jazz meets soul and funk, and for collectors who appreciate Roy Ayers at his most self-directed. "Lifeline" stands as a document of a bandleader in full command of his sound, surrounded by collaborators who understood exactly what he was reaching for. A worthy addition to any shelf that celebrates the deep, danceable side of seventies jazz.
Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. This Side Of Sunshine
A2. Running Away
A3. Gotta Find A Lover
A4. I Still Love You
A5. Lifeline
B1. Cincinnati Growl
B2. Fruit
B3. Sanctified Feeling
B4. Stranded In The Jungle
B5. Together
Credits:
Edwin Birdsong - Arranged By (B3)
Roy Ayers - Arranged By (A2 to B2, B4, B5)
William Allen - Arranged By (A1)
Edwin Birdsong - Co-producer
William Allen - Co-producer
Roy Ayers - Producer
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Vocals
Edwin Birdsong - Vocals
Sylvia Cox - Vocals
Notes:
℗ 1977 Polydor Incorporated
Manufactured by Polydor Incorporated, New York, N. Y.
Artist: Roy Ayers Ubiquity
Format: 1LP
Genre: Jazz
Label: Polydor
Catalog Number: PD-1-6108
Release Year: 1977
Country: United States
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