Roy Ayers, “The Godfather of Neo-Soul,” handed away on the age of 84 after battling a “lengthy sickness.” His music impressed a technology of R&B, jazz, and hip-hop artists.
Ayers is finest recognized for his 1976 traditional, “Everyone Loves the Sunshine,” which remains to be among the many most lovely and timeless songs in R&B and jazz. With that in thoughts, we felt it was the right time to look again at artists who’ve excellently lined this timeless traditional over time.
D’Angelo
Beloved R&B and neo-soul singer D’Angelo lined this traditional in 2000 on his “Voodoo Outtakes & Rehearsals.” He amazingly pays homage to the track whereas nonetheless infusing his type and voice into it. It’s clear that D’Angelo wasn’t making an attempt to sound like Ayers however virtually remix it in his personal approach.
Robert Glasper Experiment
As one of the vital underrated and proficient musicians within the R&B house, Robert Glasper has been producing high quality music for years and has labored with a number of of the most effective artists in music, together with Kendrick Lamar and Anderson.Paak. In 2010, he and his group, The Robert Glasper Experiment, carried out a brand new rendition of Ayers’ 1976 traditional that included solely reside instrumentation.
Incognito
I don’t blame you should you haven’t heard of Incognito. They’re a British Jazz band that has been energetic for the reason that early Eighties and continues to make music to this present day. In 2006, they lined a extra energetic model of “Everyone Loves the Sunshine” on their album, “Bees+Issues+Flowers,” and it got here out nice.
Takuya Kuroda
Simply because he’s Japanese doesn’t imply he doesn’t have soul. Takuya Kuroda’s prolonged cowl is a extra conventional rendition of Ayers’ monitor that’s extra minimalistic in its manufacturing. Nonetheless, it isn’t any much less gratifying as Kuroda elegantly performs his trumpet all through the track.
Kiefer
Kiefer is a younger jazz musician who remains to be conserving the style alive for younger listeners in 2025. Nonetheless, in 2021, he determined to honor the previous on his album, “Between Day,” and canopy “Everyone Loves the Sunshine” by infusing it with components of jazz and digital.