From @grandhuit_514
I discovered Roy Ayers early in my musical journey. He’s an artist who had a huge influence on me, and over the years, I kept realizing just how important his career was to the history of music at large.
From jazz to jazz-funk, jazz-fusion, disco, boogie, and even his influence on hip-hop & house—his impact is undeniable.
Today, I’m incredibly moved to see how much he inspired DJs, producers, and musicians across generations. But more than anything, it’s the universal love for him that stands out. Everyone loved Roy, and I think that’s what makes him such an important artist.
I became truly fascinated with his work the day I watched his live performance at Ronnie Scott’s, during the famous Battle of the Vibes. That’s when I realized not just his incredible musicianship but also his sense of humor. He had this incredible emotional range—his music could make you cry, laugh, or dance, sometimes all at once. That really struck me, and from that moment on, I started diving deeper into his music.
Over the years, my passion for his work grew. I started hunting for rare records, original pressings—until one day, I had the chance to see him perform on a rooftop in Brooklyn. He was already past 75 at that point, already fragile, but still so magical.
Watching him play live as the sun set over the city is an image I’ll never forget. I remember bringing my original pressing of Roy Ayers Ubiquity with me, hoping to get it signed. But I was too shy, too in awe of the moment. It’s a small regret, but also a memory I’ll cherish forever.
With this mix, I wanted to pay tribute to him, as he passed away just a few days ago.
I decided to take a chronological approach—starting with his debut album West Coast Vibes, moving through his time as Herbie Mann’s vibraphonist, then into his solo work and his years with his band Roy Ayers Ubiquity. From there, I included tracks from his 80s period, some unreleased material released by BBE, and even a few collaborations with Fela Kuti, Wayne Henderson, Guru & Erykah Badu.
I chose to close the mix with Remember to Remember by Rick Holmes—it felt like the perfect closing theme for this tribute.
May his soul rest in peace and his music lives forever.
Please note: I deliberately chose not to include his work as a producer for other artists like Sylvia Striplin, Ladies of the 80s, Bobbi Humphrey to name a few, except for Daylight and Remember to Remember. Same for Coffy as this one was a movie soundtrack and not a solo album.
I also left out most of his collaborations, except for his track with Guru, which felt too important to omit. Additionally, I didn’t include any remixes, as it would have made the mix too long.
Maybe all of that will be part of another recording one day...
GrandHuit
