Additional information
Personnel: Roy Ayers (vibraphone); Gary Bartz (alto saxophone); Charles Tolliver (trumpet, flugelhorn); Hubert Laws (flute); Herbie Hancock (piano); Ron Carter, Miroslav Vitous (bass); Grady Tate (drums). Originally released on Atlantic (1514). Stoned Soul Picnic dates from the earlier part of Roy Ayers' career as a leader, before he delved heavily into R&B and funk fusions and instead concentrated more on soul-jazz grooves. Ayers leads a septet including such big names as pianist Herbie Hancock, altoist Gary Bartz, bassist Ron Carter, and flutist Hubert Laws. The Laura Nyro-penned title track foreshadows Ayers' later forays beyond the boundaries of pure jazz, and the group keeps the groove percolating nicely throughout, making Stoned Soul Picnic one of Ayers' better jazz-oriented outings. ~ Steve Huey
