RIP Roy Ayers (1940-2025)
7th March 2025 · 2000s, 2005, 2020s, 2025, Funk, Jazz, Music, R.I.P., SoulI’ve never been a jazz-funk fan and the vibraphone would be very low on my list of favourite instruments, ranking alongside the flute and just above the ukelele. But I’d have to make an exception for Roy Ayers.
In a month when we lost some big names in music – Marianne Faithfull, Roberta Flack, Rick Buckler of The Jam – the death of Bill Fay may have passed without much attention.
It’s impossible to forget this tune once you’ve heard it because it lives inside your head for ever and will pop back whenever you hear the word Milkshake for the rest of your life.
Asian Dub Foundation team up with Iggy Pop on a new version of his Stooges classic No Fun, recorded in Miami in 2007 and released on the ‘Punkara’ album the following year.
Sinéad O’Connor could lend her voice to anything and it would sound beautiful to my ears. Like this collaboration with Asian Dub Foundation and Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien from 2003, produced by the great Adrian Sherwood.
Mr November is the climactic final track on The National’s 2005 breakthrough third album Alligator and a highlight of every live show.
I didn’t always buy Johnny Cash’s American Recordings though there were wonderful exceptions like Hurt. The same is true here.
Twee indie-pop normally raises my hackles, especially when it comes along with a fey attitude and irritatingly catchy tunes. Belle & Sebastian spring immediately to mind.
One of the last of the old Chicago bluesmen still standing, Buddy Guy is still going strong at the age of 87. And arguably the best. (more…)