Roy Ayers
Virgin Ubiquity Ii (Unreleased Recordings 1976 1981)
If a list were made identifying some of the most underrated artists of the last 50 years, ‘The Godfather of Neo Soul’, Roy Ayers would surely be high up on it. Having released 91 albums over a near 6 decade career, his name will be no stranger to fans of Funk, Soul and Jazz. Ayers is most well known for tracks such as ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’ and ‘Searchin.’
Artists he has closely collaborated with include Whitney Houston, Master’s At Work, Kerri Chandler, Erika Badu, Herbie Mann and the father of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti amongst others. He produced the classic underground Funk album ‘Give Me Your Love’ by Sylvia Striplin in 1981, and his works have been sampled over the years in Hip-Hop and Dance Music more than most other artists could even dream of. Yet, despite such a momentous career it seems that today, only those who have an interest in black music have heard more than one or two of his tracks, if any at all. This is a major injustice and one can only hope that the renewed interest in his work in the last decade fuelled in particular by DJ and radio host Giles Peterson, will give him the true recognition he deserves.
Ayers grew up in Los Angeles, California, and his primary instrument is the vibraphone but he also sings, plays keyboard and produces. He began his career playing alongside the famous Jazz flautist Herbie Mann in the 1960’s but it wasn’t until the 1970’s that his music really began to shine. In this decade Ayers’s style moved more towards the fusion of Jazz, Funk and Soul he is so well-known for. And when you listen to his work from this era there is one thing that is immediately apparent. It’s all feel good ,positive energy music and seems to reflect his personally too. Have a listen to Giles Peterson interviewing him here and you will see the connection.
No track would be better to demonstrate the genius of Roy Ayers than ,’I Am Your Mind (Part 2)’, released off the album Virgin Ubiquity II (Unreleased Recordings 1976-1981) in 2004. It is one of many previously unreleased Gem’s from the Roy Ayers back catalogue, and we are lucky it was finally released to the world. It is smooth, sexy and there is one thing for certain, no other artist would be able to pull off a song like this without it feeling slightly cheap and cheesy. The track is wonderful, Roy Ayers is wonderful and his music will bring you endless hours of listening enjoyment.
Artists he has closely collaborated with include Whitney Houston, Master’s At Work, Kerri Chandler, Erika Badu, Herbie Mann and the father of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti amongst others. He produced the classic underground Funk album ‘Give Me Your Love’ by Sylvia Striplin in 1981, and his works have been sampled over the years in Hip-Hop and Dance Music more than most other artists could even dream of. Yet, despite such a momentous career it seems that today, only those who have an interest in black music have heard more than one or two of his tracks, if any at all. This is a major injustice and one can only hope that the renewed interest in his work in the last decade fuelled in particular by DJ and radio host Giles Peterson, will give him the true recognition he deserves.
Ayers grew up in Los Angeles, California, and his primary instrument is the vibraphone but he also sings, plays keyboard and produces. He began his career playing alongside the famous Jazz flautist Herbie Mann in the 1960’s but it wasn’t until the 1970’s that his music really began to shine. In this decade Ayers’s style moved more towards the fusion of Jazz, Funk and Soul he is so well-known for. And when you listen to his work from this era there is one thing that is immediately apparent. It’s all feel good ,positive energy music and seems to reflect his personally too. Have a listen to Giles Peterson interviewing him here and you will see the connection.
No track would be better to demonstrate the genius of Roy Ayers than ,’I Am Your Mind (Part 2)’, released off the album Virgin Ubiquity II (Unreleased Recordings 1976-1981) in 2004. It is one of many previously unreleased Gem’s from the Roy Ayers back catalogue, and we are lucky it was finally released to the world. It is smooth, sexy and there is one thing for certain, no other artist would be able to pull off a song like this without it feeling slightly cheap and cheesy. The track is wonderful, Roy Ayers is wonderful and his music will bring you endless hours of listening enjoyment.
