Roy Ayers - In The Dark Expanded Edition

Review by ilyas patoni

In The Dark Expanded Edition by Roy Ayers: A Funk/Soul Masterpiece That Still Glows Let’s get one thing straight—Roy Ayers is a legend. You can’t talk about funk and soul without tipping your hat to the man who made vibes sound like liquid gold. And his In The Dark Expanded Edition (2012, Japan release) doesn’t just live up to expectations; it smashes them out of the park. This reissue from Sony Music Japan International Inc., with its polished remastering by Maria Triana and Bernie Grundman, feels like rediscovering an old flame. It’s warm, smooth, and hits all the right notes in ways you didn’t even know you needed. Now, let me tell ya—there are two tracks here that stuck with me long after the needle lifted off the record. First up: “Poo Poo La La.” Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re thinking—the title sounds goofy as hell. But don’t sleep on this one. There’s something magical about how Roy layers those grooves. It's playful yet deeply funky, like hearing someone laugh while they dance. The rhythm is tight enough to make your hips move before your brain catches up. When I first heard it, I was cleaning my apartment, but suddenly I wasn’t cleaning anymore—I was vibin’, spinning around like some amateur backup dancer. That 7” edit version? Even better for when you need a quick hit of joy. Then there’s “In The Dark,” the title track. Man… this song is pure mood lighting in audio form. Stanley Clarke co-produced this gem, and you can hear his touch in every bassline. It’s sultry, mysterious, almost cinematic. Listening to it feels like walking through a dimly lit room where everyone’s secrets hang heavy in the air—but instead of feeling creepy, it’s intoxicating. Every note drips with emotion, pulling you deeper into its world. Honestly, if this track were a person, I’d probably follow it home. What makes this album special isn’t just the music—it’s the care behind it. From Roy Ayers himself steering the ship as producer to George Butler executive-producing and Tony Calvert handling the reissue, it’s clear these folks poured their hearts into this project. And props to Emilsam Valasquez, Erik Zobler, and Jerrold Solomon for engineering—they captured the raw energy perfectly. Even the design by Ted Bernstein and Carol Friedman’s photography add layers to the vibe. It’s not just an album; it’s a full sensory experience. Here’s the kicker though: listening to In The Dark Expanded Edition reminded me why I fell in love with music in the first place. It’s not about perfection or being "cool." It’s about connection. Whether you’re dancing alone in your kitchen or lost in thought under the stars, this album meets you where you are. And hey, fun fact—if Roy Ayers ever reads this review, I hope he knows we’re all still chasing that same magic he created decades ago. Spoiler alert: most of us will never catch it. But damn, does it feel good trying.

Download Roy Ayers - In The Dark Expanded Edition

Artist: Roy Ayers
Album: In The Dark Expanded Edition

Japan

Funk / Soul

2012

Rating: 4.67

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Download

Filename: roy-ayers-in-the-dark-expanded-edition.zip

MP3 size: 77 mb
FLAC size: 590.7 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
In The Dark (7" Version)	3:49
Poo Poo La La (Edit)	4:22
I Can't Help It	4:25
Compadre	5:13
Poo Poo La La	6:31
Blast The Box	4:42
Sexy, Sexy, Sexy	4:16
Goree Island	5:00
Love Is In The Feel (7" Version)	3:55
In The Dark	5:57
Love Is In The Feel	4:14

Video

Roy Ayers - I Can't Help It

Roy Ayers-I Can't Help It

Images

télécharger l'album Roy Ayers - In The Dark Expanded Edition

Catalog Numbers

SICP 3523

Labels

Sony Music Japan International Inc.

Listen online

ascolta in linea
online anhören
lyssna på nätet
écouter en ligne
lytte på nettet
ouvir online
kuunnella verkossa
escuchar en línea
online luisteren

Formats

CD
Album
Reissue
Remastered

Companies

Role	Company
Manufactured By	Sony Music Entertainment

Credits

Role	Credit
Co-producer	William Allen
Coordinator	Dennis 'Gorilla' Armstead
Design	Ted Bernstein
Engineer	Emilsam Valasquez, Erik Zobler, Jerrold Solomon
Executive-Producer	George Butler
Mastered By	Bernie Grundman
Photography By	Carol Friedman
Producer	Roy Ayers, Stanley Clarke
Production Manager	Matt Murphy
Reissue Producer	Tony Calvert
Remastered By	Maria Triana

Notes

Originally released as LP on Columbia, 1984.
Roy Ayers plays Deagan Commander II594 Vibraharp

Barcodes

Barcode: 4 547366 065121

About Roy Ayers

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American funk/soul/jazz composer, vibraphone player, and artist. Born: 10 September 1940 in Los Angeles. California, USA. Becoming a prolific recording artist, it's thanks to his trombone playing father and piano teaching mother, he became immersed in music early on. Among his hits are "Everybody Loves The Sunshine

Real Name

Roy Edward Ayers
Jr.

Name Vars

Ayers
Ayres
Edwin Birdsong
Guest Soloist Roy Ayers
R Ayers
R. Ayers
R. Ayres
R. J. Ayers
R.Ayers
Raw Ayers
Ray Ayers
Robert Ayers
Ron Ayers
Ron Ayres
Roy Ares
Roy Avers
Roy Awers
Roy Ayers Jr.
Roy Ayers Ubiquity
Roy Ayers, JR.
Roy Ayes
Roy Ayres
Roy E. Ayers, Jr.
Roy Hayes

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *In The Dark Expanded Edition* by Roy Ayers is a hidden gem for funk and soul fans. Released in Japan in 2012, it’s packed with smooth grooves and rare tracks. What makes it stand out? It was remastered by Bernie Grundman, the same guy behind some of Michael Jackson’s iconic albums. Plus, the original photography was done by Carol Friedman, who’s shot legends like Miles Davis. Not to mention, it includes both extended and 7" versions of tracks like “Love Is In The Feel” and “In The Dark,” giving listeners different ways to enjoy the vibe. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into timeless music with a funky edge!