When legendary bandleader Lionel Hampton gave five-year old Roy Ayers a pair of vibe mallets after a performance in LA, he planted an inspirational seed. Ayers grew up to play vibes for artists as diverse as Herbie Mann and Guru. This second compilation of previously unavailable tracks draws from the period when the LA-native peaked commercially. Included is a demo version of his classic, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” a track notably sampled on Mary J. Blige‘s single “My Life.” The jazz-based R&B of “Holiday,” featuring the sultry Terry Wells, shows why many have dubbed Ayers the godfather of neo-soul.