Roy Ayers - For Café Après-Midi

While there are literally a dozen or more Roy Ayers compilations, many of them fine, none match the subtle grace and depths of this one. A Japanese-only release compiled by Toru Hashimoto, For Café Après-midi does not focus on Ayers' hits or well-known tracks at all (though it doesn't necessarily exclude the ones that fit the aesthetic here), nor does it explore his many club anthems. Instead, it focuses on the mellower and jazzier side of his Polydor period. Rather than his vocals, the set beads on his amazing vibes playing -- and all the jazz nerds can scream blasphemy and break out the stones, but when Ayers was playing vibes, and especially playing jazz vibes, there were none better, not even Milt Jackson or Gary Burton. Read More