Expansion Records

This release is a shimmering example of the Roy Ayers "mid-period" brilliance. While the world knows him for "Everybody Loves the Sunshine," EX7039 showcases Roy’s transition into the high-gloss, sophisticated Boogie and Modern Soul sound of the early 1980s. This Expansion 7-inch brings together two tracks from the 1982 album Feeling Good, providing a much-needed vinyl home for these club favorites. The Product: Roy Ayers – Everybody / And Then We Were One Label: Expansion / Polydor Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM) Catalog Number: EX7039 Release Year: 2018 Side A: "Everybody" A vibrant, up-tempo Boogie anthem. It features Roy’s signature vibraphone flourishes over a heavy, synthesized bassline and a rhythmic guitar scratch. It captures the infectious, optimistic energy of the early 80s NYC club scene. Side B: "And Then We Were One" A masterclass in Roy’s "Quiet Storm" aesthetic. This is a deep, melodic, and atmospheric mid-tempo track that highlights his sophisticated arranging skills. It is highly prized by Modern Soul DJs for its smooth "two-step" rhythm. Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures 1. The "Album-Only" Mystery For decades, "Everybody" was a frustration for 7-inch purists. The Fact: In 1982, Polydor focused heavily on the 12-inch format for club play. Consequently, "Everybody" was never given a commercial 7-inch release in the UK or the US. The Figure: Expansion’s EX7039 was the first time in 36 years that these tracks were officially made available on a 45 RPM single, making it an essential "utility" record for 7-inch-only DJs. 2. The Bridge to "Uno Melodic" This record was produced just after Roy founded his legendary independent label, Uno Melodic. The Sound: You can hear the "Sylvia Striplin" and "Eighties Ladies" DNA in these recordings. Roy was using the same group of session players (the "Ubiquity" family), which is why this record has that specific, airy, jazz-funk-meets-boogie texture. 3. The "Two-Step" Anthem While Side A is for the peak-time floor, Side B, "And Then We Were One," has become a legendary track on the UK’s Two-Step and Rare Groove scenes. The Figure: It is frequently cited by soul connoisseurs as one of Roy's most underrated compositions. Because it was "hidden" as the second-to-last track on the Feeling Good LP, many missed it until Expansion gave it its own B-side spotlight. 4. The 2018 "Sold Out" Status When Expansion released EX7039 as part of their 2018 batch, it was one of the fastest-moving titles in the series. The Figure: Within months, it was appearing on want-lists across Europe. Because Roy Ayers has a cross-genre appeal (Jazz, Soul, Hip-Hop, and Disco), the demand for this 45 came from three different directions at once. Technical Specs for Collectors Mastering: Expansion utilized the high-definition Polydor masters. On the original 1982 LP, "Everybody" was a long track; the 7-inch edit on EX7039 is "punched up" to emphasize the drum snap and the low-end synth bass, making it sound significantly louder in a club environment. Label Aesthetics: The record features a clean, classic Expansion "House" design, but some copies were issued with the iconic Polydor "Red" style aesthetic, paying homage to Roy's tenure at the label. Collector's Tip: Roy Ayers tracks on 45 are notoriously difficult to find in "Mint" condition because they were played to death in the 80s. This Expansion reissue is the best way to get a dead-quiet, high-fidelity pressing of these tracks without the surface noise of a 40-year-old LP.