From @grandhuit_
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
TRACKLIST
Roy Ayers – Reggie of Chester (released on the album West Coast Vibes – 1963 )
Herbie Mann – Dream Garden (released on the album The Beat Goes On – 1967 )
Roy Ayers – Ayerloom ( released on the album Virgo Vibes – 1967 )
Roy Ayers Quartet – Comin’ Home Baby ( released on Denon Japan Special 45 RPM Direct Cutting : Herbie Mann present : Roy Ayers Quartet – 1969 )
Roy Ayers – I Love You Michelle ( released on the album Daddy Bug – 1969 )
Herbie Mann – Can You Dig It ? ( released on the album Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty – 1970 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Hummin’ (released on the album Ubiquity – 1970 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – We Live In Brooklyn Baby ( released on the album He’s Coming – 1972 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Red, Black & Green ( released on the album Red Black & Green – 1973 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – I Am Your Mind ( released on the album Virgo Red – 1973 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Sensitize ( released on the album Change Up The Groove 1974 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – A Tear To A Smile ( released on the album A Tear To A Smile – 1975 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Mystic Voyage ( released on the album Mystic Voyage – 1975 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Everybody Loves The Sunshine ( released on the album Everybody Loves The Sunshine – 1976 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Searching ( released on the album Vibrations – 1976 )
RAMP – Daylight ( released on the album Come Into Knowledge – 1977 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Running Away ( released on the album Lifeline – 1977 )
Roy Ayers – Can’t You See Me ? ( released on the album You Send Me – 1978 )
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Starbooty ( released on the album Starbooty – 1978 )
Roy Ayers & Wayne Henderson – For Real ( released on the album Step In To Our Life – 1978 )
Roy Ayers – Sweet Tears ( released on the album Let’s Do It – 1978 )
Roy Ayers – Don’t Stop The Feeling ( released on the album No Stranger To Love – 1979 )
Roy Ayers & Wayne Henderson – Tell Me What You Want ( released on the album Prime Time – 1980 )
Fela Kuti & Roy Ayers – 2000 Blacks Got To Be Free ( released on the two tracks album Music Of Many Colours – 1980 )
Roy Ayers – Rock Your Roll ( released on the album Love Fantasy – 1980 )
Roy Ayers – Land Of Fruit And Honey ( released on the album Africa, Center Of The World – 1981 )
Roy Ayers – Fire Up The Funk ( released on the album Feeling Good – 1982 )
Roy Ayers – Chicago ( released on the album Silver Vibrations – 1983 )
Roy Ayers – Everybody ( released on the album Lots of Love – 1983 )
Roy Ayers – Slip n’Slide ( released on the album ( released on the album You Might Be Surprised – 1985 )
Roy Ayers – Don’t You Ever Turn Away (released on the album I’m The One – 1987 )
Guru & Roy Ayers – Take A Look At Yourself ( released on the album Jazzmatazz Vol.1 – 1993 )
Roy Ayers – Searching (The Africa 70 Version) ( released on 12’’ By BBE in 2003 )
Roy Ayers & Erykah Badu – Searching Revisited ( released on the album Mahogany Vibes – 2004 )
Roy Ayers – Liquid Love ( released on the unreleased compilation Virgin Ubiquity II – 2005 )
Roy Ayers, Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad – Sunflowers ( released on Roy Ayers – Jazz Is Dead number 2 – 2020 )
Rick Holmes – Remember To Remember ( released on 12’’ in 1981, produced and arranged by Roy Ayers)
