Before his Ubiquity phase, Roy Ayers was primarily known as a jazz vibraphonist and had built a solid reputation in the jazz world. He began his career in the 1960s, playing with jazz legends such as Lionel Hampton, Jack Wilson, and Curtis Amy. During this time, he established himself as a virtuoso on the vibraphone and earned a reputation as a talented jazz musician.

Ayers’ early records showcased his jazz chops and demonstrated his ability to weave complex melodies and rhythms together with ease. ‚Daddy Bug’ from 1969 features with Herbie Hancock, Buster Williams and Sonny Sharrock a group of the finest jazz musicians at that time, showcasing a wide variety of styles. An interesting flavor is the special treatment from arranger William Fischer.

His ability to create rich, complex string arrangements that perfectly complement the mood and tone of the music has made him an invaluable collaborator for many artists and musicians over the years, including Nina Simone and several Motown acts. There is a version of this record without the string overdubs from 1976 – I go for this one.

Stefan Mohr