Ayler Young: Back in the City

One of the funkiest, most soulful recordings you’re likely to hear this year is Back in the City by Great Barrington, Massachusetts, native Ayler Young. The thirty-year-old son of poet/gallerist Geoffrey Young and author Laura Chester, Young channels the moody rock of the Wallflowers through the pop/R&B sensibility of Lenny Kravitz to come up with his own, unique blend of urban soul-rock.

While the overall aesthetic is much more New York (where Young now lives) than the Berkshires, some local influence and that of his creative parents can be heard in his well-crafted lyrics and musical riffs recalling funky classic-rockers such as the Band and Steve Winwood and soul men Prince and Marvin Gaye.

Aided by an all-star cast of musicians, including Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones, Keith Richards sideman Charley Drayton on drums, Lenny Kravitz keyboardist George Lake, and renowned turntablist DJ Logic, “One Man Show” is an insinuating portrayal of the contradictions inherent in pursuing the bohemian artist’s life, and the title track captures the challenge of maintaining one’s edge amidst the distractions of urban hipster life. One could easily imagine these songs being played on contemporary hit radio, as, indeed, they should. [JAN/FEB 2010]

THE GOODS

Ayler Young
Back in the City