If I didn’t make the case for this song’s importance, it’s possible nobody else would nabilayers.substack.com/p/everybody-...

Ayers Ubiquity's album and song Everybody Loves the Sunshine turned 50 last week, and as the anniversary approached, I wanted to write about it… www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

Listen to @nabilayers.bsky.social talk with OPB’s @lisaeffinwood.bsky.social about Nabil's book, Roy Ayers, and Alan Braufman's new album "Anthem for Peace."

My uncle Alan taught me music before I could really talk. Eight years ago we reissued his 1975 debut and it changed both our lives. His fourth album, Anthem for Peace, is out today. lnk.to/AlanBraufman

Roy Ayers Ubiquity's "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" turns 50 today. I've spent the last few months going deep on my father's song—its unusual 50-year ascent, and why it's never quite gotten its due. Next week I have a piece in the LA Times, and I'll be talking about it on KCRW. Stay tuned.

Join me Friday 5/15 at 10:30am on @kmhd.org for a special conversation with my old friend @nabilayers.bsky.social We'll talk about Nabil's book, Roy Ayers, and Alan Braufman's new album "Anthem for Peace." 89.1 in the Willamette Valley Online at www.KMHD.org #jazz #royayers #alanbraufman

My favorite mom photo: 1979 on top of Two World Trade Center.

H

Wrote about an important album from 1976 open.substack.com/pub/nabilaye...

It was amazing to be back in Athens for the OU Music Industry Summit last week. I was privileged to conduct keynote interviews with @nabilayers.bsky.social and @ilovelucius.bsky.social and participate in a panel on the state of music journalism with @anniezaleski.bsky.social and Marcus J. Moore.

It was a huge honor to contribute the liner notes to the 40th anniversary edition of Fishbone’s “In Your Face.” (!) They just released the LP+CD and they’re touring the album now. I’ve shared the notes on my Substack / free / please share. nabilayers.substack.com/p/i-finally-...

👀 nabilayers.substack.com/p/what-is-it...

Wrote about some 1976 album covers that are somehow 50 years old but also timeless. nabilayers.substack.com/p/the-lost-a...

Tonight in London with Adam Buxton and Florence Shaw www.eventbrite.com/e/identified...

Taking Identified to London for a live podcast event next week 🇬🇧 identified-london.eventbrite.com

Excited to host Ronen Givony’s Brooklyn book event this Thurs eve… greenlightbookstore.com/event/2026-0...

Sheila E. Live on the American Music Awards in 1985. Wait for the coat.

Sad to say that the NYC snow is preventing this event from happening. Refunds are available at point of purchase. We’ll be back soon. ☀️

The amazing Tony Williams in 1972.

Brooklyn! Feb 23 Identified live podcast with Allison Russell and Valerie June. tinyurl.com/identifiedpodcast

Had a great time compiling my 100 best shows of all time. nabilayers.substack.com Bring on the arguments and Seinfeld jokes.

This Saturday is my 100th Substack post. To mark it, I’m working on a list of my 100 favorite shows of all time. What’s on your list? nabilayers.substack.com

I’m excited to announce an LA live taping of my podcast Identified with Matt Berninger of The National. Thurs Jan 29. Tix go on sale 1/23 3pm pacific. www.eventbrite.com/e/identified...

James Brown on Italian TV in 1971

Kate Bush appreciation post. Here she is on SNL in 1978 with Paul Shaffer on piano.

Tim Heidecker is our final guest of 2025 on the Identified podcast. @timheidecker.bsky.social linktr.ee/identifiedpo...

One amazing minute of Isaac Hayes conducting “Theme From Shaft” 1971

A year-end list of sorts. If it doesn’t come to mind now, it probably didn’t need to. nabilayers.substack.com/p/a-year-end...

Ramsey Lewis trio performing “Summer Breeze” in 1973

Stevie Saturday: live on German TV 1974

Wrote about these 2 guys nabilayers.substack.com/p/the-music-...

Curtis Mayfield “Move on Up” live on Beat Club / German TV 1972

love this new episode of Identified with my guest Yasi Salek linktr.ee/identifiedpo...

How to start the show. Herbie Hancock on Danish TV in 1976. youtu.be/9RsZifvSVSI?...

Annual Thanksgiving repost of this 2018 piece I wrote for NPR’s Code Switch about discovering my family tree… and a lot more www.npr.org/sections/cod...

One of my favorite Identified episodes yet: Massima Bell on her journey growing up between rural Iowa and urban cities, discovering her gender identity, and navigating family relationships. linktr.ee/identifiedpo...

1995

New Substack post about Hiro from Soundgarden’s incredible Rock Hall speech nabilayers.substack.com/p/did-you-he...

Headed to Boston later this week for events at Berklee and Harvard…

Thrilled to have Jad Abumrad as this week’s guest on Identified. linktr.ee/identifiedpo...

New Substack post about doing shit live open.substack.com/pub/nabilaye...

The first ever Identified podcast live episodes were a blast! Huge thanks to my guests Meshell Ndegeocello and Michelle Zauner, executive producer Kieron Banerji, and the wonderful (sold out) audience. More of these to come. 🎤 linktr.ee/identifiedpo...

Live from Gowanus!

Tomorrow’s event is sold out but we will hopefully have a pair of tix to give away today… publicrecords.nyc/events/nabil...

Saturday’s event is sold out but we will release a few more tix this week! dice.fm/event/k6kwpo...

It’s Substack Saturday! nabilayers.substack.com/p/file-under...

I’ll be in New York this week for a pair of book events. On Tuesday, I’ll be in conversation with Benny Horowitz of @gaslightanthem.bsky.social at @roughtraderecords.bsky.social. On Wednesday, I’ll be at Powerhouse Arena in Brooklyn in conversation with @nabilayers.bsky.social. Hope to see you!

Best selling author Dani Shapiro is my guest on Identified this week linktr.ee/identifiedpo...