During every conversation among collectors and music lovers, we often throw names of artists and bands, their releases (rare or not), collaborations, their impact on the music, who sampled them, etc. … When the name Roy Ayers comes up, everybody pauses because he is the jazz-funk royalty that always requires special attention. He was on a league of his own. Incomparable to anybody else. Unfortunately, we lost him few days ago. Another legend has passed on the torch and is going to music heaven.
Like to many others, he is a huge reason why I love funk and jazz-funk. I started listening to him in the E80s with his boogie-funk period…and then I went back in time collecting every piece of records he has released as solo artist, with his band Ubiquity or as collaborators and producer on many albums from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s… I am glad that I saw him live in 2005…amazing concert.
His legacy will continue…his music will continue to be played, sampled, and to serve as inspiration for generations to come. RIP Mr. Ayers…you will be missed...forever!
Bruce Fisher feat. Roy Ayers - One life '77
Roy Ayers & Wayne Henderson – Swarte '78
Roy Ayers & Wayne Henderson - Step Into Our Life ‘78
Ronnie Foster feat. Roy Ayers - Midnight Plane '78
Edwin Birdsong feat Roy Ayers – Pretty Brown Skin '71
Herbie Mann feat. Roy Ayers - Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty '78
RAMP (aka Roy Ayers Music Production) - Try, Try, Try ‘77
RAMP - The American Promise '77
David Newman feat. Roy Ayers - Fire Weaver '72
Roy Ayers - Leo '79
Terry Wells feat. Roy Ayers - Who's that stranger '84
Roy Ayers - Slip'n'slide '85
Edwin Birdsong - Good lovin' brings an encore ’81 (original member of Roy Ayers Ubiquity)
Roy Ayers Ubiquity - He's A Superstar '72
G. Keith Alexander - Sneakers '73 (produced by Roy Ayers)
Ladies of the 80s - I knew that love '80 (produced by Roy Ayers)
Ubiquity - Midnight after dark '78 (produced by Roy Ayers)
Vi Redd feat. Roy Ayers - Just friends '68
Justo Almario - Interlude '81 (produced by Roy Ayers)
Justo Almario - Sho' you right '81 (produced by Roy Ayers)
Stone City Band feat. Roy Ayers - Ladies Choice '83
Ubiquity - Can you be yourself '78
Ubiquity - Spread it '78
Roy Ayers - What's the T (L70s)