A musical tribute to legendary vibraphonist Roy Ayers, he stops by for an interview with on-point.be to reflect upon his journey through music and life, also show respect for the sampling culture of Hip Hop. The sounds during the interview are provided by the skills of DJ SNS who brings an element of Hip Hop through scratching and mixing of familiar songs from the Roy Ayers catalog. This is a great look at the magic produced through the fusion of Hip Hop and Jazz.

One thing I have been reminded of about Roy's music from hearing the selections of this mix is that he's got a great sound for summertime listening! From the upbeat funk vibe of Silvia Striplin's "Give Me Your Love" to the heavenly sounds of "Sensitize", I imagine a 70's inner city scene of people enjoying themselves and absorbing the feeling of this season with each listen.

I am glad to get a sense of Roy Ayers' life and personality from this interview, he sounds very happy with his accomplishments as a musician and family man, showing a genuine love for things in life that inspire his craft. Like the feeling I get from meeting one of my elder relatives, it's inspiring to hear his warmth and enthusiasm for life, it is one of the greatest feelings I get from his music. Roy's positive outlook of life and messages have transcended into classics of Hip Hop, influencing the writing of other artists such as Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, A Tribe Called Quest and Ed. O.G who have used his music to make some of the most uplifting songs known to the culture.

When considering the positivity of Roy Ayers music, it is interesting to realize how he has provided the influence of a loving parent to Hip Hop culture through his music, in addition to providing a vast element of soulful music for many producers to draw from. I think he is one of the most important musicians to encourage Hip Hop's expression for love of life in general, helping to balance the hard-edged street sound with heartwarming music. This is an example of one of the greatest aspects of enjoying music, hearing great musical talent, but also feeling like I have received life in the listening experience.


An On-Point Roy Ayers Tribute + Interview