VIA PRESS RELEASE | Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) commemorates the uncanny musical legacy and life of iconic artist, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and “Godfather of Neo-Soul”—the late Roy Ayers—with the release of a new compilation entitled Secrets Of The Sun out now.
This body of work notably boasts four previously unreleased recordings in addition to four recharged and re-upped reinterpretations of essential deep cuts. It arrives on all DSPs today as well as on limited-edition vinyl. The LP is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged inside of a vivid gatefold jacket with a stunning lithograph.
Fans will undoubtedly gravitate to this newly unearthed quartet of soul gems. Anchored by a slick bass thump, upbeat drums, and boisterous horns, “Pathfinder” swaggers straight into the spotlight. Ayers’s signature vibraphone lifts the song into another stratosphere, and the words ring out, “I’m the one that you don’t know yet.” Elsewhere, “Pleasure” offers a dose of aural ecstasy chased by funkified guitar, a bedroom-ready bounce, and lusty vibraphone transmissions. The hazy and hypnotic “Intermission” simply smolders, and “Dragon’s Nest” enchants with its butter-smooth rhythm and cinematic instrumentation.
By bringing some fresh fire and 22nd century perspective to the Ayers catalog, Dennis “ROC.am” Jones served up a series of ROCMIX’s for the project. He rekindles the adventurous spirit that originally defined the likes of “You Came Into My Life,” “Tarzan,” “You Came Into My Life,” “Don’t Let Our Love Slip Away.” The New York- and Los Angeles-based artist, audio engineer and producer continues to distinguish himself as a visionary sonic architect.
The roots of Neo-Soul trace right back to Roy Ayers. Throughout his lifetime, he delivered timeless music in successive decades, beginning back in the sixties. Over the ensuing years, his shadow has only grown over the entire culture. As one of the most-sampled artists of all-time, his music has underscored almost 1,000 tracks. Original songs like “Searching,” “We Live in Brooklyn, Baby,” and “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” remain inescapable.
The latter bubbled up in the production for “My Life” by Mary J. Blige, “Vibrations” by Black Eyed Peas, and “Pothole” by Tyler, The Creator. Moreover, he recorded with everyone from Whitney Houston to Rick James, Erykah Badu and Tyler, The Creator and served up dozens of his own solo albums. Not to mention, he famously crafted the Soundtrack for blaxploitation classic Coffy starring Pam Grier. Plus, he even served as the in-game radio host for Grand Theft Auto IV’s “Fusion FM” station. Among many accolades, he garnered a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Congress of Racial Equality.
