What strange times we live in, a time of slowdown (for some) and great trauma (for most). Praise be then to the eternal healing force that is art, and music in particular as it offers solace to the affected and isolated. If any artist embodies the positive capabilities of sound and song, it is the legendary Roy Ayers, who has delivered soulful, jazzy, funky and above all hopeful music for over five decades, creating a sonic palette that is instantly recognisable and never seems to date, seducing and influencing generation after generation.

So to find out that he has an entire album of original material ready to go was both surprise and joy! In February 2018, Roy performed four sold out shows in Los Angeles as part of the Jazz Is Dead Black History Month series but unknown to his fans, he was also quietly recording an album with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (to be released on Jazz Is Dead on June 19th). The entire album was co-written with Younge and Shaheed Muhammad and we’re expecting fireworks based on the calibre of the performers and producers involved. I can only give judgement, however, on the first single ‘Synchronize Vibration’, which is essentially another theme variation on Roy’s own 70’s masterwork of solar praise ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’. With the added virtuosity of Younge’s and Shaheed Muhammad’s multi-instrumentalist chops and drummer Greg Paul alongside Roy’s legendary vibraphone this is no rehash of a well-trodden path, ‘Synchronize Vibration’ is an essential new perspective on Roy Ayers’ attitude to music and life. Oozing with soul and vintage analogue warmth, it would appear that Roy Ayers will be the sound of the summer…once again. Keep safe, be positive…

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SINGLE RELEASED ON APRIL 23RD