The fusion legend may have appeared a touch on the frail side at his recent UK appearances, but his body of work remains an essential resource for contemporary listeners and players alike. Ayers' revered early 1970s-mid 80s output shows little signs of ageing and this fine collection of unreleased material from his band Ubiquity shines a light on just how much creativity was flowing between the leader and brilliant sidemen such as saxophonist Justo Almario, percussionist Chano O'Ferral, vocalist Sylvia Cox and keyboardist Philip Woo during that purple patch. The sound was brawny jazz-funk with the string-laden sheen of Marvin/Stevie stamped soul, thus appealing to lovers of songs as well as solos. ‘I Am Your Mind’, ‘Liquid Love’ and ‘Release Yourself’ are a few of the highlights, but the real story here is the blend of commercial appeal and artistic integrity that appears so utterly seamless.

Ayers belonged to a generation of exponents of black music whose dancefloor inclinations were pleasingly not at odds with a sophistication that flowed from a love of such game-changers as Miles Davis, James Brown and Earth, Wind & Fire, among others.