The label Godfather is not a name that is given out without being rightly earnt – vibraphonist Roy Ayers is undeniably the Godfather of Neo-Soul. He started his musical journey by recording as a bebop sideman in 1962 and after dropping out of college joined jazz flutist Herbie Mann in 1966 which was his first step towards prominence. By the early 70’s Ayers had his own band called Roy Ayer’s Ubiquity (ubiquity meaning a state of being everywhere at the same time) playing a jazz-funk sound before moving into a more soulful R&B feel. In his illustrious career, Ayers has done global tours, made an album with and toured Africa with Fela Kuti, collaborated with the likes Erykah Badu, Rick James, Guru, house music stalwarts Masters At Work and Kerri Chandler, and more recently appeared on Tyler The Creator’s most recent album. With an incredible 92 albums under his belt, Brighton was in for a real treat from this legend of the music world.
Now nearing his 75th birthday, it wouldn’t surprise me if this was one of the last times Roy Ayer’s Ubiquity toured live which could have been suggested in the lyrics of the first track. Time though has not dampen how much Ayers enjoys his live show, and I haven’t seen a performer as happy as he was on stage at the Concorde 2. Dressed in a cool cameo suit, Ayers jubilant stage presence was palpable, with his ecstatic smiles and excitement for the bands incredible talent adding to the crowds’ overjoyed mood.
The whole band hit their rhythm right from the off, making it feel like this was going to be a night to remember – and it certainly was. The band consisted of John Pressley as second vocalist, drummer Troy Miller, keyboardist Jamal Peoples, bassist Donald Nicks, and at times they all stole the show away from the legend himself – particularly Jamal Peoples. His playing had the crowd howling and grooving, let alone putting an image of disbelief on Ayers’ face. There was no doubt that Ayers had the upmost admiration for his band, always interacting with them and feeding off their energy as much as they fed off his.
The entire performance was incredible, only made better by the intimate setting of the Concorde 2. The only downside was at the midway point when John Pressley took centre stage and proceeded to advertise Ayers’ extensive back catalogue, but did it in such a way that it had the crowd screaming instead of tutting. A couple of songs later and arguably Ayers most popular track, the 1976 hit ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’, had the venue covered in a wash of yellow lighting with the crowds hands reaching for the sky. Then everyone’s mouths dropped when local soul legend Omar Lye-Fook joined the line-up onstage to sing, and ended up having his name chanted by Ayers and the audience, which must have been a dream come true as I’m sure Ayers would have certainly been a massive influence in his music (check out Omar’s cover of this track at this year’s Love Supreme Festival here).
This concert flew past and featured some of his best songs as well as some lesser known ones, but the classic Roy Ayers’ jazz-funk groove was a winner on each track and had the crowd moving throughout. There really “Ain’t no party, like a Roy Ayers party / because a Roy Ayers party don’t stop”. Unfortunately it had to stop, even though John Pressley did promise one more track only to be corrected by the venue manager, but still the chant isn’t wrong.
Iain Lauder
Webiste: royayers.com