Free Spirit by Audio Soul Project and Ron Carroll

I met Ron in 1999 when he joined the UC Music and After Hours family. At the time, the labels were in transition, shifting away from harder, more abrasive records toward something funkier, deeper, more soulful. Having Ron come aboard gave us instant credibility. His voice, his presence, his whole energy, it was exactly what we needed, and honestly, I was in awe that he wanted to work with us.

That first project together was “Soundz.” I remember pushing myself harder than I ever had before, pulling in musicians, layering keys, live bass, solos - all because Ron’s vocals deserved more than what I had done before that point. I wanted to do justice to his voice. When he finally heard what I’d done, he laughed and said he was hoping I’d just “bang it out” like my filter-disco remixes. That was Ron - straightforward, tuned-in, and already paying closer attention to my work than I realized. That was the beginning of our friendship.

From there we kept working. “Lucky Star” came almost by chance - an instrumental from Paris, Ron writing the lyrics in one sitting, knocking out the vocals in a single take. He thought nothing of it. Within hours the label was calling me in tears, saying it was going to be huge. And it was. That record took Ron around the world, and the world needed him. He was more than a singer. He was a DJ, a songwriter, a producer, a label head, a promoter, a concept guy, an inventor of possibilities. He created magic in every direction he turned.

The song most people ask me about, though, is “Community.” I had an instrumental, and Ron just looked at me and said, “You’re not doing this album without me.” I told him it had to be about community. That was the only direction I gave. He stepped up to the mic and gave me, in one take, the most important record of my life. I’ve heard from countless people over the years who tell me it touched theirs too. That was Ron: his words, his voice, his spirit. Magic.

That spirit isn’t gone. The body leaves, but the energy doesn’t. The force inside him that could turn a blank page into “Lucky Star” or an idea into “Community” - that doesn’t disappear. It’s here, forever. I’ll carry it, and I know I’ll feel it every time I hear his voice, every time his words echo out into the world.

I had Ron in my life for 26 years. It wasn’t enough. But I’m grateful and I’ll always feel that way.

This month’s release is for him. It’s the last track we finished together. The song is called “Free Spirit.”

Ron Carroll forever.

Tracklist

1.	Free Spirit	6:55

Credits

released September 23, 2025

Vocals and words by Ron Carroll. Music by Maziar Namvar.

License