Review: Mark Adams & The Ubiquity Band - This Is Neo Soul (DownJazz Records)

Just to be clear, this is not a band from Ubiquity Records, it is The Ubiquity Band! As in Roy Ayers

Much loved Roy Ayers was the foremost visionary of jazz-funk as composer, producer, label founder, vibraphonist and leader of The Ubiquity Band.  That said, you can't do this all on your own and Roy's band Musical Director, Mark Adams heads up this new 10 track album.

So who is Mark Adams? He's been The Ubiquity Bands' MD for 25 years he's the keyboardist and leads Chris DeCarmine (drums), lead vocalist Jonn Pressle and bass players Donald Nicks and Chulo Gatewood plus guests Monty Croft on vibes, who has worked with Gladys Knight, Lonnie Liston Smith's guitarist Bill White on guitar and Chic vocalist Kimberly Davis.

This is all well and good, but can you step into Roy's shoes?   Of course not and thankfully that's not the question here as ‘This is Neo-Soul’ has been a work in progress of three years (Roy passed in March of last year) and the idea is to pay homage to the greats of 70s neo-soul like Roy.  

And once you've wrapped your head around that this is no Ayers or 'Virgin Ubiquity', the album is great as re-worked classics from the statement opener 'Sweet Tears' to the deep cut jazz 'Day Dreaming', the all-time classic, Liston Smith's 'Expansions' and the gospel-jazz soul of 'Don't Look Back'.

Lots of 70s soul and jazz-funk flavas here but especially on the closing track 'Dre's World' (originally on Mark's 2009 solo album 'Something's Going On') as an extended track with a la Ronnie Law sax (Mark had toured with Mr. Laws!) and some great keys - one to watch out for on the remix album 

Some work better than others like 'Don't Stop (The Feeling)' comes over as a bit of a live jam and that's appropriate as Ayers' himself was touring the world into his 80s and it seems the last word should be from his familay on the announcement of his passing:

"It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composer and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4th, 2025 in New York City after a long illness. He lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed. His family ask that you respect their privacy at this time, a celebration of Roy’s life will be forthcoming”.

'This Is Neo Soul' is just another part in that celebration of life; "Don't look back, Don't look down".

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: "This is Neo-Soul" | Mark Adams | Down Jazz

Artist: Mark Adams & The Ubiquity Band 

Title: This Is Neo Soul
Release date: 20th March, 2026
Label : Downjazz Records
Catalog Number : TBC
Format : CD / Digital / Bandcamp