Flowers: For Real
From: Soul Spectrum Vol. 2 [Bbe, 1999]
Roy Ayers & Wayne Henderson: For Real
From: Step Into Our Life [Polydor, 1978]
It’s always an eye opener when you go for years appreciating a track only to find out that it’s a cover and the original is even better.
Roy Ayers & Wayne Henderson’s Step Into Our Life was one of the very first records I ever picked up on my digging travels and, while the record as a whole failed to capture my imagination, I’d always had a soft spot for the track For Real with its mellow sound and sunshine style.
I’d always believed that the track was an original until a friend played me the Flowers version a few weeks ago and it blew my tiny mind.
Both versions feature the same languid rhythms and blissed out soul but the Flowers version brings an added punch to the party that belts and relaxes me at the same time. Full of true soul and beautiful melodies this is one of The Greatest songs to chill out to on your way to or from work.
I’ve included both versions for you to compare and contrast but in my eyes there’s only one winner. I hope it makes your Monday a little bit more tolerable…….
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Junior, man you always are putting us on to something. So next level, ya dig, you are making it lightining out with this Flowers track.
Next level!
fONk
Ahhh… thanks for this, Junior. This made my morning.
thank you for the flowers. definitely an aural massage
nice blog, good music, what else do you need?
wow…both these tracks are awesome…
Same as you, thought the Ayers version was original and only stumbled across Flowers recently, and yes it's at least every bit as good – love the strings. Think I saw it in a Manship auction and of course it went for big (silly) money. "Dog rare" I guess. Flowers For Real is not exactly a Google friendly search – what a waste of time. The Ayers/Henderson version has always been a favourite of mine from back in the day, it had recently transformed itself from vinyl to mp3 and was lined up for a post in the near future – you beat me to it.
Great blog, you're a constant click.
Darcy
Good to know you guy's are feeling this record – truly a current favourite of mine. Darcy, out of interest, how much did the copy go for?
Can't remember now how much it went for, certainly 3 figures GBP. There are 2 copies listed on popsike, both sold back in 2005 – 1 went for $899 !
Shit ,
the exact same thing happened to me , loved the ayers version then bought that bbe compilation and BOOM , so good .
that's why i love music , it never stops to kick you in the N%*$ts with new stuff . Always !
Same story : if you like "Brother Louie" by the undisputed truth , check the original by STORIES
or Summer breeze …
If you're interested Manship has another copy of Flowers For Real up at the moment. Currently 150 GBP but still 9 days to go.