quête:al williams

GOLLIWOG is billy woods' first album in two years, preceded by 2023's Maps, his second collaboration with producer Kenny Segal. That nimble travelogue has little in common with woods' newest work, despite the fact that Segal shows up a couple times in the credits. GOLLIWOG is a haunting collection that weaves horror, humor, surrealism and Afropessimism into a cinematic tapestry, aided and abetted by a murderer's row of producers. African zombies, time traveling trap cars, malevolent ragdolls and a dying Frantz Fanon are just a few of the revelers in woods' danse macabre. GOLLIWOG features production from The Alchemist, Kenny Segal, EL-P, Conductor Williams, Preservation, Messiah Musik, Sadhugold, Ant (Atmosphere), Shabaka Hutchings, Steel Tipped Dove, DJ Haram, Willie Green, Jeff Markey, Saint Abdullah, and LA-based experimental jazz trio Human Error Club. Meanwhile, woods is joined on the mic by Backwoodz labelmates ELUCID and Cavalier, along with rappers Bruiser Wolf, Despot, Al.Divino, and singer-songwriter Yolanda Watson. GOLLIWOG is another triumph in the woods oeuvre, as layered and compelling as anything he has ever done. A black carnival pitched in a muddy field overnight, empty rides whirring and clattering in the dark.

Mit "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" (1976) vermischt Roy Ayers nahtlos die Genres Soul, Funk & Jazz und erschafft einen zeitlosen Sound, der Musiker und DJs auf der ganzen Welt noch immer beeinflusst, mit dem Vibraphon als zentrales Instrument, ein Ansatz, der Ayers einzigartigen Stil definiert. Im Jahr 1976 veröffentlichte der legendäre Musiker und Komponist Roy Ayers mit ELTS eines der bedeutesten Alben seiner Karriere. Dieses Album festigte nicht nur Ayers' Stellung als Schlüsselfigur in der Welt des Jazz, sondern markierte auch einen Meilenstein in der Soulmusik und im zeitgenössischen Jazz-Funk. Es zeichnet sich durch eine raffinierte Mischung aus unwiderstehlichen Grooves, sanften Melodien und einem einzigartigen Sound aus, der über die Jahre hinweg nicht verblaaste und für mehrere Generationen von Musikern und Hörern zu einer Referenz wurde. Mitte der 70er Jahre hatte sich Ayers bereits mit seiner Band Roy Ayers Ubiquity und seinem unverwechselbaren Einsatz des Vibraphons, das zu seinem persönlichen Markenzeichen wurde, einen Namen gemacht. Und mit ELTS wagte sich Ayers an einen noch zugänglicheren Sound, auch als Reaktion auf den Aufstieg von Disco und das wachsende Interesse an Musik afro-amerikanischer Prägung überhaupt. In den zehn Tracks des Albums schafft Ayers eine Klangatmosphäre, die sowohl die Wärme des Sommers als auch die Raffinesse des Jazz jener Zeit heraufbeschwört, alles vor dem Hintergrund des modernen Soul. Produziert von Ayers selbst zusammen mit seinem Engineer und Freund David R. Williams zeichnet sich ELTS durch den wunderbaren Klang des Fender Rhodes Pianos von Phillip Woo sowie die kraftvolle Energie der restlichen Band aus, wodurch eine unverwechselbare Authentizität und Frische erreicht wird. Zu den bekanntesten Songs gehören der Titeltrack, "The Golden Rod" und "The Third Eye", die schnell zu Klassikern des Jazz-Funk und Soul wurden. Dieses Album ist für Roy Ayers' Karriere von entscheidender Bedeutung, da es seine Fähigkeit unter Beweis stellt, in einer sich ständig verändernden Musikindustrie relevant und kreativ zu bleiben. Im Laufe der Jahre wurde "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" zu einem Kultalbum, das häufig in DJ-Sets von Künstlern wie Gilles Peterson, Theo Parrish und Lefto gespielt Verwendung findet. Der Sommer-Soul-Klassiker jetzt wieder auf klassischem schwarzem 180g-Vinyl!

Lucy's 8th studio album is a collection of reimagined, reworked classics from her 7 previous records, plus brand-new songs - a brilliant mix of old and new.

It's a beautifully crafted album of hit records including her stunning song Sober featuring the icon Robbie Williams, as well as her debut hit Tea & Toast, plus brand new, never-before heard songs.

On 'Other Sides of the Moon', Lucy has worked closely with friend and mentor, Simon Cowell, who personally A&R'd and guided this album, lending his 40+ years experience in the industry to make the record an impressive collection of beautifully crafted songs.

Lucy Spraggan rose to fame on The X Factor in 2012 - in the height of its popularity - as the very first contestant to perform their own songs. Her audition was the 4th most watched video in the entire world

The Topics waren eine Soul-Vocal-Band aus New York, die vor allem in den 1960/1970ern aktiv war und zunächst als The Uniteds startete. Im Laufe der Jahre kamen und gingen verschiedene Mitglieder. Ihre Singles, angefangen bei der Debüt-7" "The Girl In My Dreams" (1962) erschienen bei kleinen Labels, mit Ausnahme der beiden Songs auf vorliegender Expansion-Reissue, die 1973 direkt hintereinander bei Mercury Records erschienen. "Booking Up Baby" wurde von Dennis Williams (The O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Jean Carn) co-produziert, der auch den Van McCoy-Song "Giving Up" arrangierte. Beide Soultracks sind anspruchsvoll und begehrt, eine Originalpressung kostet auf Discogs bis zu 850 Pfund.

Enjoy The Toons Records in partnership with Paramount
Pictures proudly presents Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:
Out of the Shadows (Music from the Motion Picture),
Score by Steve Jablonksy. Michelangelo, Donatello,
Leonardo, and Raphael are back to battle bigger, badder villains,
alongside April O’Neil (Megan Fox) and a newcomer:
the hockey-masked ally Casey Jones (Steven Amell).
After supervillain Shredder (Brian Tee) escapes custody,
he joins forces with two dimwitted henchmen, Bebop
(Gary Anthony Williams) and Rocksteady (WWE's Sheamus),
to unleash a diabolical plan to take over the world. As the Turtles
prepare to take on Shredder and his new crew, they find themselves facing an even greater threat with similar intentions: the notorious Krang (Brad Garrett). Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (Music from the Motion Picture) features music by Steve Jablonsky (Transformers film series, The Sims 3, Gears of War 2). Jablonsky's signature sound is present, with a unique call-back to the original theme and fun, exciting orchestration for the 2016 film score. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (Music from the Motion Picture) is a 2xLP, housed in a gatefold jacket and pressed on colorful themed vinyl. The pressing is limited to 750 copies across 3 color variants. –

a A1 Bull In The Heather, Other [Selected By] – Catherine Keener
[b] A2 100%, Other [Selected By] – Mike D
[c] A3 Sugar Kane, Other [Selected By] – Beck
[d] A4 Kool Thing; Other [Selected By] – Radiohead
[e] B1 Disappearer; Other [Selected By] – Portia de Rossi
[f] B2 Superstar; Other [Selected By] – Diablo Cody
[g] B3 Stones; Other [Selected By] – Allison Anders
[h] B4 Tuff Gnarl; Other [Selected By] – Dave Eggers, Mike Watt
[i] C1 Teenage Riot; Other [Selected By] – Eddie Vedder
[j] C2 Shadow Of A Doubt; Other [Selected By] – Michelle Williams
[k] C3 Rain On Tin; Other [Selected By] – Flea
[l] C4 Tom Violence; Other [Selected By] – Gus Van Sant
[m] D1 Mary-Christ; Other [Selected By] – David Cross
[n] D2 World Looks Red; Other [Selected By] – Chloë Sevigny
[o] D3 Expressway To Yr Skull; Other [Selected By] – The Flaming Lips

[a] A1 Bull In The Heather, Other [Selected By] – Catherine Keener
[b] A2 100%, Other [Selected By] – Mike D
[c] A3 Sugar Kane, Other [Selected By] – Beck
[d] A4 Kool Thing; Other [Selected By] – Radiohead
[e] B1 Disappearer; Other [Selected By] – Portia de Rossi
[f] B2 Superstar; Other [Selected By] – Diablo Cody
[g] B3 Stones; Other [Selected By] – Allison Anders
[h] B4 Tuff Gnarl; Other [Selected By] – Dave Eggers, Mike Watt
[i] C1 Teenage Riot; Other [Selected By] – Eddie Vedder
[j] C2 Shadow Of A Doubt; Other [Selected By] – Michelle Williams
[k] C3 Rain On Tin; Other [Selected By] – Flea
[l] C4 Tom Violence; Other [Selected By] – Gus Van Sant
[m] D1 Mary-Christ; Other [Selected By] – David Cross
[n] D2 World Looks Red; Other [Selected By] – Chloë Sevigny
[o] D3 Expressway To Yr Skull; Other [Selected By] – The Flaming Lips

The debut recording by The Ancients, the intergenerational coalition of Isaiah Collier, William Hooker, & William Parker formed by parker to play concerts in conjunction with the milford graves mind body deal exhibition at the institute of contemporary art los angeles & now a working group. across x2LPs of side-length long-form improvised sets recorded at 2220 arts & archives in LA & the chapel in San Francisco, The Ancients bring the free jazz trio languages first explored by the Cecil Taylor Unit & Ornette Coleman’s -Golden Circle- band (expanded upon in later eras by Sam Rivers' Trio & Parker’s collective trios with Charles Gayle/Graves & Peter Brötzmann/Hamid Drake) into their own unique & scintillating realms of expression.

As we tumble further into the throes of history’s tides, people of hope & creativity rely on the works of our great artists to lift our spirits & focus our resolve. -ascension- was recorded less than a year after the passage of the civil rights act & four months after the assassination of Malcolm X. -journey in satchidananda- was recorded the month reagan was re-elected governor of California. M’boom made its debut recording weeks after the watergate scandal broke & a couple months after the wounded knee occupation ended. The music of the ancients builds on these great musical legacies. it resounds with the pride of survival & the joys of making & sharing music. It delivers to us hope & balm. something real in you, real in history, & real in the music is shared, right on time.

When Eremite records commenced operations during the 1990s free jazz resurgence, heavyweight freedom-seeking tenor saxophonists such as Fred Anderson, Peter Brötzmann, Charles Gayle, Kidd Jordan, & David S. Ware were at the height of their powers. Isaiah Collier’s tenor playing in the ancients is bracing testimony that the wellspring lives on. to hear the young chicago firebrand blowing freely with veteran improvisers in an entirely open-form group music is a revelatory study of his vast talent, personal voice, & the intensity of his expression —as well as a bold complement to his composition-based albums as a bandleader (including -the almighty-, a new york times' best albums of 2024 selection).

I've admired drummer William hooker since first encountering his music in a hartford ct city park, early ‘90s (on a double bill with Jerry González & Fort Apache Band). From the man himself right off the bandstand i bought his even-then rare 1st recording, the 1976 self-released x2LP opus -is eternal life- (reissued 2019 by superior viaduct). An imposing force on his instrument & an intrepid DIY cat, Hooker’s been exuberantly swinging in&out of free time for 50+ years. informed by the innovations of Sunny Murray & Tony Williams yet entirely himself, there is no other term for it than “pure hooker.” at age 78, with the ancients & everywhere else, THE HOOK is in peak form.

With a discography approaching 600 entries & 50+ years working across the musical maps, including in the history-defining bands of Don Cherry, Cecil Taylor, Bill Dixon, Peter Brötzmann, in his own wondrous ensembles from small group to orchestra to opera, a bastion of compassionate leadership & a poetic champion of his musical community, in tireless service to what he rather egolessly refers to as “the tone world”, multi-instrumentalist, improviser & composer william parker is a living hero of the grassroots & the black mystery musics, not to mention one of the great bassists in the history of jazz. To quote George Clinton, conquering the stumbling blocks comes easier when the conqueror is in tune with the infinite.

Live to 2-track concert recordings by Bryce Gonzales, Highland Dynamics. Mastered by Joe Lizzi, Queens, NY.

2025 Record Store Day title - now available for general sale. A selection of top quality tracks from some of reggae’s legendary singers backed by some of the best musicians - Tyrone Taylor, Joseph Cotton, Errol Dunkley, Gregory Isaacs,Frederica Tibbs, J Nile featuring his son J Nile, Cornell Campbell, Jimmy James (of Jimmy James and the Vagabonds fame, one of the first Jamaican recording artists), Winston Reedy (Mr Dim The Lights – lovers rock king) , The Heptones - top Jamaican group who recorded countless hits for Studio One, and BB Seaton (one of Jamaicas best songwriters). Recorded at the Room in the Sky Studio, Tuff Gong Jamaica, Music Lab Jamaica, and Ariwa,. Musiciams: Sly Dunbar, , Winston Horseman Williams, Michael ""Megahbass"" Fletcher, Flabba Holt, Alan Weekes, Vin Gordon,,Noel Fish Salmon, ,Ashanti Selah, Bongo Herman.

The road is a wrinkled timeline. Uncanny flatness conceals unfolding textures, transparent layers and open tabs. The truck cuts the landscape, tracing the road with a line of mad logic that composites time, space, thought. On “Le Camion de Marguerite Duras,” French duo Jean-Marie Mercimek have returned with a road movie for the blind. Composed and recorded by Marion Molle and Ronan Riou over six years across France and Belgium, this unlikely distillation of microtonal MIDI composition, French B.O., and post-punk chansons brazenly expands the duos’ penchant for lowkey narrative spectacle.

Across “Le Camion,” sounds form a theatrical screen. Our ears are the curtains drawn wide and listening with a look that pans across the shot. No title cards, they cut straight to action. The truck is a camera, zooming and framing the tracks as scenes. Songwriting and sound design blur in a tangle of delicate economy. The balance of mutant music-boxes and dewy miniatures recalls otherworldly hits from Gareth Williams’ Flaming Tunes, Residents, and catchier corners of the Lovely Music catalog. Strange, sure, but this flick is never quite a cartoon. Molle and Riou’s vocals dilate into a cast of very human characters. Voices sing borrowed texts like untrained actors (playing themselves, in fact) stepping into the frame once before disappearing forever. And when they’re gone, you miss them. But here in the truck, it all comes back again under the cyclic spell of repose in perpetual motion. Turn up the radio and appuyez sur le champignon. - Turner Williams Jr.

Nach 25 Jahren Herman Dune und 15 Alben freut sich BB*ISLAND, Odysseús zu präsentieren, eine neue Sammlung von Songs, die den Hörer auf eine Reise durch das turbulente Leben von David Ivar mitnimmt, eine Reise voller Sehnsucht, Schmerz, Liebe, Tod, Glaube und Erlösung. Es ist das erste Mal, dass Herman Dune mit einem externen Produzenten, David Garza, zusammenarbeitet. Das Set-up besteht fast ausschließlich aus akustischen Instrumenten, die live mit der Band in einem Raum aufgenommen wurden. Es ist Folk-Musik im typischen Stil von Herman Dune mit Anklängen an Americana, Country, jüdische und hispanische Traditionen, aber mit einer ganz neuen Wendung in Sound und Arrangements, vor allem im Vergleich zu seiner letzten rein akustischen Trilogie The Portable Herman Dune. David Herman Dune über die Produktion: "...David Garza getroffen zu haben war reiner Zufall. Ich mühte mich gerade mit einem Geigenarrangement für einen der Songs ab, als er sich in einem überfüllten Café in der Innenstadt von San Pedro an meinen Tisch setzte und mich fragte, woran ich gerade arbeitete. David, ein mit einem Grammy ausgezeichneter Produzent und Musiker, hatte mit Fiona Apple, Iron & Wine, John C. Reilly und den Milk Carton Kids gearbeitet und mit einigen meiner musikalischen Helden wie Lucinda Williams und Townes Van Zandt gespielt. Wir verstanden uns auf Anhieb, und er bot mir an, meine Songs zu produzieren. Wir begannen, die Stücke jeden Abend bei mir zu Hause zu spielen, und einmal pro Woche in einem französischen Restaurant namens Le Compagnon. David kannte die besten Musiker in L.A. - Leute wie Sebastian Steinberg am Kontrabass (Fiona Apple), Richard Edson (Schlagzeuger von Sonic Youth, Schauspieler in Jim Jarmuschs Stranger Than Paradise und Spike Lees Do The Right Thing), Odessa (violin, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros) und Paul J. Cartwright (violin, Olivia Rodrigo). Als wir uns bereit fühlten, versammelten wir alle in meinem Haus für drei Tage Live-Sessions. Es war ein chaotischer, schöner Prozess, bei dem alle in einem Raum zusammen spielten, keine Kopfhörer, keine Overdubs - nur rohe, echte Musik. Aufgenommen und gemischt wurden die Sessions von Chris Sorem (ebenso Grammy-prämiert für seine Arbeit mit den mit den LA-Legenden Los Lobos). Chris brachte eine Wagenladung alter Mikrofone mit und konzentrierte sich auf "Raummikrofone" - djene, die die Atmosphäre des Raums einfangen. Er sagte, dies sei eine Technik, die auf Alben wie Buena Vista Social Club verwendet wurde, und es erzeugte eine Magie im Raum, die spürbar war. Sogar die traurigsten Lieder wurden lebendig mit so viel Freude, Energie und Elektrizität. Die Aufnahmen waren ungefiltert, organisch und hatten Seele. Als wir mit dem Abmischen begannen, waren wir alle vom Ergebnis erstaunt, wir hörten einen Moment in der Zeit, der sich gleichsam zeitlos anfühlte"

Chicago recording artist Reggie Soul (real name Reginald Stone) recording career consisted of three 45singles spread over 3 separate labels. Firstly, the funk outing “I Got Jody” backed with the soulful “I Feel So Bad” for the Red Balloon label. “I Feel So Bad” was a Lee Sain composition which Lee himself recorded under the title of “Baby Don’t Leave Me” for the Broach label. Reggie’s “I Got Jody” also came out a second time on Nation Time Records as the flipside to “Soul Walkin’” a cover version of the James Brown song but mis-credited as the performing artist Reggie Smith?

Reggie’s third release “My World of Ecstasy/Mighty Good Loving” was released on the Scott Brothers owned Capri Records label in 1968. The fledgling Capri Records Company having been set up in premises at 409, East 47TH Street in Chicago’s Southside, used the front of the building as a record store with the rehearsal studios situated at the rear, the final recording sessions took place initially at some of the smaller independent studios across the city before using the major Columbia and RCA Recording Studios as Capri Productions grew. Reggie co-wrote both sides of his Capri 45 with Charles and Walter Scott respectively. The arrangements were provided by John Jackson and Bill McFarland who alongside Claude Williams provided the horn section to many of the Scott’s future productions. The Scott Brothers were also the house band at one of the Southside’s most popular night clubs ‘The Bonanza Lounge on 7641, South Halsted. Besides performing, they used the club to scout for potential artists for their label and it is believed that’s where their business relationship with Reggie Soul initially began.

Surviving witness accounts always cite Reggie as a solo performer which begs the question who are the credited ‘The Soul Swingers’ on the Capri 45? Well, it transpires that this was a pseudonym used by the Scott Brothers present on the recording, Charles (Chuck) drums, Tommy (bass guitar) and Walter (Rhythm guitar).

At the beginning of Soul Junction’s working relationship with Scot-Tees a further Reggie Soul unissued session was mentioned and sure enough two tape boxes arrived one containing “My World Of Ecstasy/Mighty Good Loving”, great, but disappointingly the second named tape had been reused as a rehearsal tape of several recognizable riffs of later Scott-Tees productions, doh!

Then months later lady luck intervened, a box containing two unmarked acetates held together with a nut and bolt was found. After considerable investigation, it transpires that they are the missing Reggie Soul tracks which we now present to you. Both songs are A.C Carson compositions, The A-side “So Many Miles Away” is a wonderful crossover song that shares some lyrical similarities to fellow Capri stablemate Judson Moore’s released Chicago Music Bag 45 “Lisa” while the flipside of our release features Reggie’s interpretation of Judson’s “Groovy Thang”. So, at long last Soul Junction are able to present to the lost Reggie Soul sessions that several veteran soul scribes who known their onions have likened to another great Chicago recording artist, the mighty, Tyrone Davis.

Single Sided Repress!
We've watched the movies, seen the photos, heard the stories. As in all of New York City, crime was as rampant in the subway as it was on the streets. Thefts, robberies, shootings and killings were a frequent reality throughout the 1970s. In 1979, a group of angered residents led by Curtis Sliwa began taking crime prevention into their own hands, donning red berets - looking very much like a gang and calling themselves the Guardian Angels. This funky track produced by the Legendary Patrick Adams and uptown empresario Peter Brown is an ode to what was hapenning at the time. Like many of the P&P records of the time, this wasn't dance music for flashy downtown clubs, it was the real uptown funk! With bass as heavy as rolling stock, and field recordings from the subway tannoy echoing along almost empty train carriages late at night, Margo Williams's vocals supply the inner city funk menace with some almost ethereal soul.' At a crossroads between funk, soul and an emerging Hip Hop culture this track apealled to both the disco crowd and the bravado of the uptown b-boys.

Ein neues musikalisches Projekt des renommierten, französischen Studio-Cracks Renaud Letang mit Freunden & Familie: Feist - Connan Mockasin - Benny Sings - Chilly Gonzales - Jamie Lidell - Saul Williams - Vladimir Cosma - Philippe Katerine - Infinite Bisous - Jerry Paper - Chuuwee - Mel D. Produziert Von Renaud Letang + Chilly Gonzales. Aufgenommen In Den Studios Ferber.

Das Album eines Lebens. Oder besser gesagt eines halben Lebens, das er seit seinem 18. Lebensjahr im Schatten der Aufnahmestudios verbracht hat. Unter dem facettenreichen Pseudonym DRIFT ist 'At The Party' ein Album von Renaud Letang, einem der weltweit renommiertesten und gefragtesten französischen Toningenieure und Produzenten der letzten drei Jahrzehnte. ManuChao, Chilly Gonzales, Feist, Mathieu Booagerts, Lianne La Havas, Philippe Katerine, Saul Williams, Jane Birkin, Seu Jorge, Micky Green, Connan Mockasin und Amadou & Mariam zählen zu seinen Klienten.
Seit Jahren bereitet der Victoires de la Musique-Preisträger und Grammy-nominierte Letang heimlich mit all seinen Künstlerfreunden im Keller der Studios Ferber ein Albumprojekt vor.
Sein kanadischer Komplize Chilly Gonzales, mit dem er in den 2000er Jahren das erfolgreiche Produzenten-Tandem VV bildete, hat ihn ermutigt, seine Songs zu veröffentlichen. Renaud Letang versteht seine Kompositionen als "Driftmusik" mit einer breiten stilistischen Palette - von sonnigem Disco-Pop (At the Party, Working on Me) bis hin zu Jazz-lastigen Sounds ('Papaya', 'A Night In Waimea'), von futuristischem Hip-Hop ('Cosmic Drift', 'That's All') bis hin zu traumhaften Tracks ('Très Gentiment In Waimea'). Das Wort DRIFT, das facettenreiche Pseudonym, das Renaud Letang gewählt hat, beschreibt genau diese ständige Bewegung, die sich wunderbar in dieses kollegiale Album einfügt: Feist, Chilly Gonzales, Connan Mockasin, Benny Sings, Philippe Katerine, Jamie Lidell, Saul Williams, Infinite Bisous, Jerry Paper, Chuuwee, Mel D und Vladimir Cosma sind alle in den Credits des Albums zu finden. Eine faszinierende musikalische Reise, die sowohl an einem sonnigen Tag als auch nach Einbruch der Dunkelheit zu hören ist. Der Soundtrack des Sommers mit der Besetzung des Jahres.
Erhältlich als Digisleeve und Doppel-LP (Black Vinyl).

Der von John Williams komponierte Original Motion Picture Soundtrack zu Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen gab den Ton für die gesamte Reihe an, wobei das „Hedwig's Theme“ zur charakteristischen Musik der Filmreihe wurde. Die Mischung aus Magie, Wunder und Spannung prägte die musikalische Landschaft aller acht Filme. Der Erfolg des für einen Oscar und einen Grammy nominierten Soundtracks ebnete den Weg für eine durchgängige musikalische Identität der Serie, deren Themen in allen Filmen wieder auftauchen.

In "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" (1976), Roy Ayers seamlessly blends genres, creating a timeless sound that continues to influence musicians and DJs around the world. He makes the vibraphone the central instrument, a jazz-funk approach that defines his unique style. Over time, the album has remained an essential reference in Roy Ayers' discography and in the history of 70s Black music. Summertime soul classic! 180g vinyl.
In 1976, legendary musician and composer Roy Ayers released one of the most iconic albums of his career: "Everybody Loves the Sunshine." This album not only solidified Ayers as a key figure in the world of jazz-funk but also marked a milestone in soul music and contemporary jazz. It features a sophisticated blend of irresistible grooves, smooth melodies, and a unique sound that has endured over the years, becoming a reference for multiple generations of musicians and listeners.

By the mid-70s, Ayers had already established his reputation with his band, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, and his distinctive use of the vibraphone, which became his personal trademark. However, with this album, Ayers ventured into a smoother, more accessible sound, partly in response to the rise of disco music and the growing interest in more experimental sounds within the music scene. Throughout its ten tracks, Ayers managed to create a sonic atmosphere that evoked both the warmth of summer and the sophistication of jazz from that era, set against a backdrop of modern soul. The production was carried out by Ayers himself, along with his producer and friend, David R. Williams, and features the wonderful sound of Phillip Woo's Fender Rhodes and the powerful energy of the rest of the band, achieving an unmistakable authenticity and freshness. Some of its most well-known songs include the title track, ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine,’ ‘The Golden Rod,’ and ‘The Third Eye,’ which quickly became classics of jazz-funk and soul. This album is crucial in Roy Ayers' career, as it demonstrates his ability to remain relevant and creative in an ever-changing music industry. Over the years, "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" has become a cult album, frequently featured in DJ sets by artists like Gilles Peterson, Theo Parrish, and Lefto. Summertime soul classic!

Thy Burdens is a natural evolution of the Drunken Prayer catalog. The album is an homage to the fiery, sublime music of the church that means so much to the musicians who worked on it. Musically it's hard country-soul with horns, shouting and a lot of groove. The songs vary between the evergreen and the obscure. Represented here are tributes across the landscape: Thomas Dorsey, Martha Carson, Snooks Eaglin, Ralph Stanley, The Zion Travellers, Leon Payne, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Hank Williams, Odetta, Dylan, and traditionals that are too old to credit. The project was spearheaded by Drive-By Truckers' bassist Bobby Matt Patton who cut his teeth playing in fiery Pentecostal church bands around north Alabama, and Morgan Geer (Drunken Prayer) who learned a lot of the hymns they recorded from his great grandmother and father in Mobile, AL. This all started when Bobby Matt met Morgan at a shared gig in Chapel Hill, NC, where they found themselves instant friends and kindred spirits. After talking for a while the idea for this album was born. The inspiration, other than purely rocking the hell out, was a pull to get to the core values of the old songs. The incontrovertibly true and inconceivably vast principles of kindness, right and wrong, and social justice: Cosmic Gospel. Morgan started using the moniker "Drunken Prayer" after a chance conversation with Tom Waits on the importance of gospel music, regardless of religious beliefs. There are a handful of Drunken Prayer albums, all with semi-religious overtones and imagery, but this one is the first that's all gospel - a prophecy revealed. Thy Burdens was recorded at Dial Back Sound, Patton's studio in Water Valley, MS. There may be some ghosts but there's nothing haunted about this music. It's a joyful noise