Roy Ayers
Roy Edward Ayers Jr. was born on September 10, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, into a musically inclined family. His mother, Ruby Ayers, was a piano teacher, while his father, Roy Ayers, Sr., was a part-time musician. This familial background laid the foundation for Ayers' deep connection with music. By the age of five, he showcased his early talent, dancing energetically to music, which foreshadowed a promising career in the arts.
Ayers began his professional music career in the 1960s, gaining recognition as a vibraphonist, composer, and music producer. He is often referred to as the "Godfather of Neo-Soul" due to his significant influence on the genre. His musical style integrates elements of jazz, funk, and soul, allowing him to create a unique sound that resonated with a diverse audience.
His early work included collaborations and recordings with various artists, and he quickly gained a reputation within the jazz community. Throughout his career, Ayers has released numerous albums, showcasing his mastery of the vibraphone and his innovative approach to music-making.
Roy Ayers' impact on the music industry is profound. He has influenced countless artists across different genres, including hip-hop, where his tracks have been sampled extensively. His work is celebrated not just for its musical quality but also for its cultural significance, helping to bridge gaps between jazz, funk, and soul.
Ayers continued to perform and record well into his elder years, maintaining a vibrant presence in the music scene. His contributions have earned him accolades and a dedicated fanbase, affirming his status as one of the most important figures in contemporary music.
Information regarding his personal life is less documented, but his commitment to his craft and the arts has remained evident throughout his life. Roy Ayers passed away on March 4, 2025, leaving behind a rich legacy characterized by his innovative sound and enduring influence on generations of musicians.
The biography of Roy Ayers illustrates a life dedicated to music, marked by growth, influence, and a lasting impact on the genres he helped to shape.
No Stranger To Love
Arranged By – Roy Ayers
Written-By – Chano O'Ferral, Roy Ayers, Wes Ramseur
8:14
A2 What You Won't Do For Love
Arranged By – Roy Ayers
Written-By – Bobby Caldwell
5:50
A3 Shack Up, Pack Up, It's Up (When I'm Gone)
Arranged By – Roy Ayers
Written-By – Argerie Ayers, Roy Ayers
6:03
B1 Slyde
Arranged By – Roy Ayers
Written-By – Roy Ayers
5:31
B2 No Stranger To Love / Want You
Arranged By – William Allen
Written-By – Roy Ayers, William Allen
7:07
B3 Don't Let Our Love Slip Away
Arranged By – William Allen
Written-By – William Allen
5:44
B4 Don't Hide Your Love
Arranged By – Roy Ayers
Written-By – Roy Ayers, William Allen
Label: Polydor – PD-1-6246
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Disco
Released in November 1979 on Polydor Records, No Stranger to Love is a studio album by Roy Ayers that blends jazz-funk, disco, and smooth soul. Produced by Ayers and William Allen, the album is often highlighted for its mix of high-energy dance tracks and sultry, downtempo grooves.
Key Tracks and Highlights:-
"Don't Stop the Feeling": An 8-minute jazz-funk and disco classic that became Ayers' only Top 10 hit on the Billboard Disco/Dance chart.
"What You Won't Do for Love": A widely acclaimed cover of the Bobby Caldwell hit, often cited as one of the definitive versions of the song due to its sophisticated string arrangements and Ayers' signature vibraphone work.
"Don't Let Our Love Slip Away": A notable downtempo, mellow track that showcases the album's smoother side.
The album is characterized by its use of "tremendous vibes," funky basslines, and soulful vocals. Critics and fans frequently describe it as an overlooked gem in the Ayers catalog that bridges the gap between his 1970s dance-ready work and the emerging "slick" adult contemporary soul of the early 1980s.
Vibrations
Written-By – Edwin Birdsong, Roy Ayers 4:00
A2 Baby I Need Your Love
Drums – Dennis Davis
Written-By – Roy Ayers 2:30
A3 Higher
Drums – Bernard "Pretty" Purdy
Written-By – Roy Ayers 4:02
A4 The Memory
Drums – Marvin Sparks
Featuring [Very Special Guest], Vocals [Lead & Background Vocals With Roy], Strings [Ensemble] – Edwin Birdsong
Written-By – Edwin Birdsong, Roy Ayers, William Allen 4:31
A5 Come Out And Play
Drums – Dennis Davis
Guitar – Chuck Anthony
Written-By – Edwin Birdsong, Roy Ayers, William Allen 3:45
A6 Better Days
Drums – Marvin Sparks
Written-By – Roy Ayers 3:17
B1 Searching
Written-By – Roy Ayers 4:10
B2 One Sweet Love To Remember
Backing Vocals [Background] – Janice Fletcher
Drums – Dennis Davis
Guitar – Chuck Anthony
Written-By – Roy Ayers, William Allen 4:20
B3 Vibrations
Bass – Byron Miller
Drums – Ricky Lawson
Electric Piano, Strings [Ensemble] – Greg Phillinganes
Guitar – Ronald Drayton
Trumpet – Lou Soloff
Written-By – Roy Ayers 3:00
B4 Moving, Grooving
Drums [With Steve Cobb] – Marvin Sparks
Written-By – Roy Ayers 5:01
B5 Baby You Give Me A Feeling
Drums – Bernard "Pretty" Purdy
Featuring [Very Special Guest], Vocals [Lead & Background Vocals With Roy] – Edwin Birdsong
Written-By – Edwin Birdsong, Roy Ayers 3:02
Label: Polydor – PD-1-6091
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Soul, Disco, Funk
Roy Ayers Ubiquity's Vibrations (1976) is a celebrated jazz-funk fusion album, praised for its infectious grooves, high-class production, and standout tracks like "The Memory" (featuring Edwin Birdsong) and "Searching," blending jazz with soul, R&B, and proto-disco, solidifying Ayers' status as a genre innovator, though some listeners find minor "dodgy" tracks or issues with specific reissues.
The album masterfully fuses jazz with funk, R&B, and early disco, showcasing Ayers' ability to be "everywhere at the same time" musically.
It features beloved, danceable cuts like the brassy "Searching," the sublime "The Memory," and groovy "Moovin' & Groovin'," according to Rate Your Music users, while this review, notes "Running Away" was a major hit.
Edwin Birdsong contributed significantly, co-writing tracks like "Running Away" and "Gotta Find Another," with vocalists like Dee Dee Bridgewater and Sylvia Cox adding lush layers, reports The Second Disc.
Known for its slick, high-class production, though some older pressings or specific reissues have received mixed feedback on mastering quality.
A key record in Ayers' prolific output, it helped establish him as a godfather of neo-soul and house, providing foundational samples for hip-hop.
ibrations is considered a must-have by many, capturing Ayers at a peak of his funk-jazz exploration, even if some experimental moments lean towards heavier funk/rock.
It’s lauded for its infectious, feel-good vibe and enduring appeal, with tracks remaining popular for sampling and dancing.