Roy Ayers's death (1940-2025) is disheartening. One of the true creative greats. A genre on his own. Definitive godfather of acid jazz and even one of many house music producers inspiration, his band's name of the 70s, Ubiquity, says it all. Few could say by the end of their life to have "been there done that", but he most likely was one of these guys. He put the word "sexy" in jazz and made it accessible to a much broader audience. Yet never followed trends doing his own thing. Second most sampled artist in hiphop ever. His music defies time with a passion. If you are one of these cats that dig Ayers' work i salute you buddy. Between jazz and what now are considered dance anthems, it's very hard for me to post just one, so i will post a few of my favorites. Rest in peace teacher.

 

Last edited: Mar 8, 2025 at 3:22 AM

Good night Mr jazz funky.. Everybody loves the Sunshine!

 

Wow too much classy!
It brings me back to cheerful times, long gone.

I think "Everybody loves the Sunshine" was (somewhat) covered in 1979, once I remember the artist I'll post.
Notice the transition from 70's to 80's with "Poo Poo La La" with Linn drum and all.

 

The events that led him to pursue a career in music are a very moving and miraculous story.
He is also a renowned vibraphonist and a legendary musician, known as the “Godfather of Neo-Soul.”
Yet he was never conceited about himself and was very humble.
And he became a true “LEGEND”...
R.I.P....

 

Roy Edward Ayers (* September 10, 1940 in Los Angeles; † March 4, 2025 in New York City) was an American vibraphonist, singer, composer and arranger. Ayers was one of the most important representatives of jazz funk.



Roy Edward Ayers - Change Up The Groove

Roy Edward Ayers - Change Up The Groove

 

R.I.P. Mr. Ayers. Condolences to his family and friends......Enjoy the Sunshine!

 

FUCK

 

If you are talking about the Ramp cover from '77, that was just another Roy Ayers project. A bit different to the original, slower and less trippy, more focused on the funky groove. Very good production. I love how the rimshot sits hard panned on the left channel hehe.

PS: Since the original is considered an early acid jazz/neo soul song, it saw numerous covers in the 90s and even enough in the 2Ks till today. Anything from hiphop-ish to house and some stylish soul ones too. Btw wth Roy's influence reaches too far, listening to Jamiroquai, half the times feels like listening to Stevie Wonder covering Roy Ayers hahaha.

 

Last edited: Mar 9, 2025 at 6:18 AM

You got the Artist (Ramp), but I thought it was "Daylight" instead, they have much in common.

BTW (bit off topic) when Jamiroquai "Emergency on Planet Earth" was released I rushed to get the CD.
At the time I had in bedroom a Kenwood automated hifi system (I regretted I sold it), and I was waking up in the morning with "Music of the mind" and the nice thing was that the volume pot had a red led that I could see in darkness moving clockwise while gradually increasing.

I loved "Music of the mind", though I did'nt know of "acid jazz" term then.

Edit: And I was wrong about 1979 of course.

 

Last edited: Mar 9, 2025 at 8:31 AM

His music will live on. I hope he was proud and aware of all the love from his fans.