Emmerald: What kind of difference do you think that made in your recording?
Roy Ayers: You know, it really created a feeling with the musicians because I was counting the music with them. You know, most musicians count at the beginning, and never count and talk to their musicians after that. They only talk to them at the end of the song, which is alright. But when I worked with people, I would count with them, and say, like, "keep it slow," "watch the bass," "keep it in the pocket." You know, and that created a feeling with me and the other musicians. It was something special. I think the way I was doing it makes it feel more of, like a stronger spiritual connection between the musicians.
Emmerald: Right. You know, your music has influenced a lot of dance music artists as well. I listen to a lot of what's called "broken beat" and "nu jazz," and it always strikes me how much of your music I hear in that stuff.
Roy Ayers: Sure. I hear that too. I know what you're saying. I'm very proud of it. I
was talking to Erykah Badu, and she was telling me that I was the "neo-soul man." She said people like herself, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, and The Roots, all consider me the one who created that sound, that "neo-soul" sound. I was just like "wow." You know, she's so positive anyway, the way she says things. I was just like wow, this is a compliment and a half. But I don't trip on that much. You know, I just like to enjoy life and be happy.
Emmerald: Sure. Your influence has definitely touched a wide spectrum of people. I mean, I just think it's incredible that I can call my mom and say, "hey, I'm talking to Roy Ayers tomorrow," and not only does she know who you are, she's excited because she's just as big a fan of yours as I am.
Roy Ayers: You know, the people in England were coming up to me saying "my mother and father turned me on to your music." Now, listen to this, this happened to me 20 years ago. I'm sixty-three, and when I was forty they were saying that. so you've got to understand, it's amazing how people say that. So I said, let me tell you something, I've played for some of your mommas and daddies, and I've played for some of your grandmas and grandpas too. I mean, that's heavy. I've really enjoyed a wonderful career. I am so blessed, and I'm glad that I have a lot of faith, and I give thanks to God just for having my health, you know, that's the key. Having good health, being able to breathe and be happy, that's one of the most beautiful gifts you could ever want. And then on top of that, I have the gift to play music and make people happy through that. I'm just telling you from my heart, I'm so in love with life.
Emmerald: That's wonderful. It's so rare to hear people express that nowadays, so that's beautiful to hear. Let me ask you, what was going on with you creatively and personally during the time these unreleased recordings were made, 1976 through 1981, right?
Roy Ayers: Yes, that's right. You know, I was so into the music. I got married in 1973, and my career was really at its peak between 1975, and '81-'82. Everything I put out could do no wrong. Like you can't imagine. Let's say you're selling something, and all of a sudden it starts selling like everything and the money's coming in. It's so exciting because it never happened like that before, and all of a sudden it happens and it like makes your heart race, you know. So it was a very exciting period. I was reconnecting a lot with folks I hadn't talked to in years, and seeing them while I was out on tour. It was great.
I'll tell you though, I didn't trip about it. I mean, everybody trips, you know. And some people really trip on success or popularity. My friends would talk to me about that, about tripping on all this stuff, and I told them, "no, I'll be cool." But you know what I tripped on?
Emmerald: What did you do?
Roy Ayers: I started buying property. I bought way too much. I wouldn't have bought it had I not had the money too. I just bought too much too fast. And see, by the time I realised I'd bought too much, I was still popular and still working, but not making the kind of money I was before. But you know, a lot of people trip when they get into a lot of money, whether it's in the music business or not, they stop talking to you, or they get just get caught up. Trippin's not always a bad thing unless it affects others; then it's a bad thing.
