Virgo Vibes
On the ubiquity of Roy Ayers' ethereal album "Everybody Loves the Sunshine", putting out Virgo Vibes, and LA record fairs in September
At least five people have told me in the last two weeks that I am definitely a Virgo. I’ve never really believed in all that astrology stuff, so I’m still not exactly convinced. It did get me thinking, though, days away from my birthday, “Am I putting out Virgo vibes?”
In searching for an answer to this question, I began thinking about the music of another Virgo, a person who literally puts out the vibes as a living and to whom I have a unique, unexpected connection. A master jazz vibraphonist, the Godfather of Neo-Soul himself: Roy Ayers.
Roy Ayers was born in South Central LA on September 10, 1940. He grew up in a musical family: his father played trombone while his pianist mother taught him piano at an early age. At seventeen, Ayers met Bobby Hutcherson, who exposed him to the instrument that would change his life - the vibraphone. Within a year, the vibraphone was Ayers’ primary instrument, leading him to play with renowned artists such as Chico Hamilton, Jack Wilson, and Herbie Mann. In the 60s, Ayers signed solo to Atlantic Records and produced excellent hard-bop jazz albums like the apt-named Virgo Vibes, Stoned Soul Picnic and Daddy Bug that featured a venerable who’s who of the jazz scene like Herbie Hancock (piano), Gary Bartz (sax), and Hubert Laws (flute).
In 1970, though, something interesting happened. After steadily releasing these hard-bop jazz albums as a solo act with Atlantic Records, Ayers released an album called Ubiquity with his new label Polydor - and then stopped for two years. Two years later in 1972, Roy Ayers re-emerged with a new band called Roy Ayers Ubiquity and began outputting one to three albums every year. Between 1970 to 1972, Ayers’ sound had evolved from traditional hard-bop jazz into a futuristic fusion of jazz and funk. Ayers had gone on a personal, musical mystic voyage and come back a new artist.
His vibes had found a new groove.
Music has always been a lifeline for me, never more so than in 2020. During the pandemic, record stores needed a lifeline, too, as they, like many other businesses, were forced to close their doors. And so, in true Virgo fashion (allegedly), I began systematically and obsessively buying records from multiple stores across the country. In my online research, I discovered some key stores (see recommendation section below) that were all coincidentally featuring the same artist: Roy Ayers. I had heard some of his music before, but I hadn’t dug deeper. I was particularly intrigued by his album artwork - they were spiritual, mystical, funky, cool. He was putting out a vibe, and I had to know more.
My Roy Ayers discography deep dive naturally began with his most popular album, 1976’s Everybody Loves the Sunshine. This album is a cohesive jam combo of everything that makes Ayers a master at his craft. It can be chill and laid back or funky and jam-packed. It makes you want to bop your head, or move and groove. “The Golden Rod” shows off the organized, meticulous Virgo touch that Ayers has on his vibraphones while songs like “It Ain’t Your Sign, It’s Your Mind” and “The Third Eye” trip you out with its hazy, upbeat rhythms.
Make no mistake, though - the titular song “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” is the pinnacle of Roy Ayers and his ubiquity. It is pure synesthesia. When I hear its ethereal synth strings and lazy, laser beam stings, I imagine that this must be what rays of sunlight sound like as they pierce clouds of smoke. This feeling was perfectly captured, and even subverted, in a scene from Season 3 of FX’s Snowfall, where the song’s beautiful, haziness is juxtaposed with the tragic story of girl-next-door Melody becoming a victim of the 80s crack cocaine epidemic.
Ayers shared in an episode of Questlove Supreme that he wrote “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” in the studio ON THE SPOT, which makes sense since the lyrics are mostly just riffs on “My life, my life, my life, my life in the sunshine”. The whole song is based solely off vibes, and I dig that.
Now, this confession might be controversial, but I must admit that most of my music listening is based only off vibes, i.e. I don’t pay that much attention to lyrics. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll dive deep into them from time to time (like the apparent Virgo I am) when a song really resonates with me. I can latch onto a song and listen to it on repeat for hours, like I did with “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” or most recently, Olivia Rodrigo’s “vampire” (no shame, it’s the song of the year). For the most part, though, I go more off vibes and my personal connection to music than analyzing its lyrics.
Before you “@” me, you know who else isn’t a big lyrics person? Nabil Ayers, son of Roy himself. I know this because he mentioned it at the book signing of his phenomenal autobiography My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family. Nabil’s book documents his very personal quest to learn more about his biological father, who wasn’t present in his life. Through his desire to connect, he learns more about himself, “ultimately redefining what family really means.” I don’t want to provide too much detail because I really believe you should read it yourself.
The book is incredibly personal, like reading someone’s deepest thoughts and vulnerabilities. I related to Nabil’s passages as a self-aware, emotionally sensitive person. I got the feeling that we’re both often in our, well, feelings. (Heck, his newsletter is even called Nabil’s Feels). After finishing My Life in the Sunshine, I realized that my (potential) Virgo connection with Roy Ayers extends beyond him because of how much I connect with his son’s story. We both have tried connecting with our fathers through music and redefined our meaning of family in the process.
On a surface level, the album “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” was the musical catalyst that transitioned me from an avid listener to a passionately obsessive record collector because of the profound joy and purpose I gained by near-compulsively diving into the history and discography of one artist. It just takes one artist to open up the world. On a deeper level, the album started me down a path where I gained a different perspective on my father’s passing. If it wasn’t for Roy’s music, I wouldn’t have discovered Nabil’s book, which provided me a different perspective on father/son dynamics and a bigger appreciation for the families we discover, form, and rebuild. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that during the time I was digging into the discography and history of Roy Ayers during the pandemic, I was also fortunate to get engaged, plan a wedding, and get married. Quite literally, as I listened to Roy’s music and read Nabil’s book, I was discovering, forming, and rebuilding my family. Our one year wedding anniversary is next week, coinciding with my birthday.
Which all brings me back to the question, “Am I putting out Virgo vibes?” Maybe. I’m still not fully sold yet, but it’s something I’m open to considering this year when I think about my life in the sunshine.
Recommendations inspired by Everybody Loves the Sunshine
My Life in the Sunshine by Nabil Ayers (Book) / Nabil’s Feels (Substack)
I can’t share enough praise for Nabil Ayers and his autobiography. Nabil is an accomplished author, drummer, former record store owner, and currently the U.S. President of UK-label Beggars Group. Buy his book and subscribe to his Substack.
Questlove Supreme Classic: Roy Ayers (Podcast Interview)
This episode of QLSC shows what a lively, irascible rapscallion of a legend Roy Ayers is. A delightful listen, and a lesson in vibes, both musical and personal.
Support Black-Owned Record Stores
Vinyl record sales outperformed CDs in the US for the first time since 1987, according to this BBC article. However, “just around 3% of record stores in the U.S. have Black owners” (Billboard). The FAMS Coalition is doing what they can, but you can help, too. When buying records, consider from where and from whom you are buying. It’s easy to shop at a big retail store for that new record, but it is CRUCIAL to support BIPOC businesses. Also, buy used vinyl - it’s sustainable and has a more interesting story.
FunkTrunk Records is a Black-owned record shop in Richmond, Virginia, and has one of the best online stores for used jazz/funk/disco. Owner Quinn is a stand-up guy, the prices are fair, and the record ship out with no issues. Peep the Instagram for their online drops.
Turntable City is opening up a new storefront in South Carolina but has an awesome online store, with a great selection of R&B, jazz, and soul. Ships nationally.
Home Rule Records in Washington, D.C. was paid a special visit by the Madam VP herself, who happened to pick up a copy of Everybody Loves the Sunshine.
JB’s Record Lounge in Atlanta, GA, is where I got my first Roy Ayers vinyl record (Starbooty, if you must know).
Crateism is owned by Fatima Chantel, and she needs your support! Visit her page to see how you can donate to save her record business. While you are there, check out her store for all your new hip-hop and r&b needs.
L.A. Record Fairs in September
A quick list of some pop-ups happening in Los Angeles during Virgo SZN:
L.A. Record Fair (presented by Beat Swap Meet) - Sunday, September 17
The 6th Annual DJ Shadow Storage Sale - Sunday, September 17
Everybody Loves the Sunshine: Best of Roy Ayers (Playlist)
Dive deeper into the Roy Ayers discography with fave selects from nearly every album.
That’s it for the third volume of First Pressing. Thanks for sticking around, and hope to see you at the next issue.
Until then, happy spinning :)
Kadrian
P.S. Sorry not sorry, but I will never not think about this scene from Dumb and Dumber, when someone says “put out the vibe".
Thank you so much for your kind words! My hope with this newsletter is to introduce people to new “old” music so I’m glad you were introduced to Roy! And couldn’t agree more about Rodrigo. Her songs are a masterclass in pop songwriting. Happy spinning 🙃
I am most definitely also a vibes listener; thank you for introducing me to Roy Ayers. I love that you mentioned Olivia Rodrigo and vampire. Who cares if she's more "for" a teen audience, her songs are so incredible!!