Andy Allo

Andy Allo performs songs from her latest release which was executive produced by Prince titled Superconductor.

Watch: http://www.myfoxny.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8104114 - GOOD DAY NY

Andy Allo performs songs from her latest release which was executive produced by Prince titled Superconductor.

Watch: http://www.myfoxny.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8104114 - GOOD DAY NY

Andy Allo is an amazing musician with a very distinct sounding voice who had already gained some traction with her album Unfresh released in 2009 which was slowly putting her in the same class as Jill Jones and the neo-soul community relatively quickly considering how long it normally takes to break through to that crowd. She had created a unique sound that she called “Alter.Hip.Soul“. She had also gained some notoriety as a face on G4's Attack of the Show along with campaigns for Kohl’s and others. Then along came Prince.
Prince and Andy Allo connected almost immediately and thus began a relationship that put her onboard as singer and guitarist for NPG and shortly afterwards released the newest album Superconductor just launched late 2012. The album was executive produced by Prince and he co-wrote 3 songs on the album including the title track Superconductor, The Calm and Long Gone. All 3 of which have his very distinctive fingerprints with the poppy chord jumps ala Diamonds and Pearls. Essentially, they sound just like a Prince song would. Even though he’s only noted on those three songs, there are many touches and chord progressions throughout the entire album that are very distinctively Prince sounding such as the album’s first single People Pleaser.

People Pleaser is an incredibly funky track that should have no problem finding some filler time on the dance floors complete with touches from masterful musicians. The album is loaded with amazing talent including saxophonist Maceo Parker, New Orleans superstar Trombone Shorty, drummer John Blackwell, Morris Hayes on keys, Hornheadz, Ida Neilsen on bass guitar and even background vocals by Shelby J, Elisa Fiorillo, and Liv Warfield.
Of the most shockingly beautiful tracks on the album would include the tracks Long Gone, Nothing More, and Story of You & I. All of them hearken to a Sheryl Crow level of songwriting prowess with seductive melodies and tasty grooves. While slower songs normally take the longest time to grow after a first listen, these immediately attach themselves to your psyche with sweet flows and subtle changes.

Andy Allo noted that “the compositions for Superconductor incorporates a variety of layers and a whole lot of Funk.”, but with exception to a few songs (People Pleaser, Yellow Gold and When Stars Collide), the funk is very subtle, but there nonetheless. All being said, we’ll grace this album with a 4 out 5 afros because this time Prince has produced another nice groovy flowing piece of artistry and at the helm is a beautiful and very talented young lady which I’m sure we won’t see the last of any time soon. - FUNKATOPIA

Andy Allo is an amazing musician with a very distinct sounding voice who had already gained some traction with her album Unfresh released in 2009 which was slowly putting her in the same class as Jill Jones and the neo-soul community relatively quickly considering how long it normally takes to break through to that crowd. She had created a unique sound that she called “Alter.Hip.Soul“. She had also gained some notoriety as a face on G4's Attack of the Show along with campaigns for Kohl’s and others. Then along came Prince.
Prince and Andy Allo connected almost immediately and thus began a relationship that put her onboard as singer and guitarist for NPG and shortly afterwards released the newest album Superconductor just launched late 2012. The album was executive produced by Prince and he co-wrote 3 songs on the album including the title track Superconductor, The Calm and Long Gone. All 3 of which have his very distinctive fingerprints with the poppy chord jumps ala Diamonds and Pearls. Essentially, they sound just like a Prince song would. Even though he’s only noted on those three songs, there are many touches and chord progressions throughout the entire album that are very distinctively Prince sounding such as the album’s first single People Pleaser.

People Pleaser is an incredibly funky track that should have no problem finding some filler time on the dance floors complete with touches from masterful musicians. The album is loaded with amazing talent including saxophonist Maceo Parker, New Orleans superstar Trombone Shorty, drummer John Blackwell, Morris Hayes on keys, Hornheadz, Ida Neilsen on bass guitar and even background vocals by Shelby J, Elisa Fiorillo, and Liv Warfield.
Of the most shockingly beautiful tracks on the album would include the tracks Long Gone, Nothing More, and Story of You & I. All of them hearken to a Sheryl Crow level of songwriting prowess with seductive melodies and tasty grooves. While slower songs normally take the longest time to grow after a first listen, these immediately attach themselves to your psyche with sweet flows and subtle changes.

Andy Allo noted that “the compositions for Superconductor incorporates a variety of layers and a whole lot of Funk.”, but with exception to a few songs (People Pleaser, Yellow Gold and When Stars Collide), the funk is very subtle, but there nonetheless. All being said, we’ll grace this album with a 4 out 5 afros because this time Prince has produced another nice groovy flowing piece of artistry and at the helm is a beautiful and very talented young lady which I’m sure we won’t see the last of any time soon. - FUNKATOPIA

Singer-songwriter Andy Allo met Prince at an event with the Africa Channel in L.A. last year (Andy is originally from Cameroon), and it was love at first sight...er, sound. "We jammed a couple of times, and it was really cool. I wasn't nervous around him because he's such a comfortable person. We were joking around, and I realized right from the get-go that I could be myself," Andy says of first meeting the pop legend. (Editor's note: I would be shaking in my boots!) Clearly, the feeling was mutual: Soon enough, she was touring with Prince and the NPG all over Europe.

These days, Andy is out and about promoting her solo album, Superconductor. The album has a throwback vibe that we can't get enough of—with influences ranging from James Taylor to Nina Simone. "I also got into funk artists like James Brown. That's why there are a lot of horns on the record," she says. She'll be on tour this year, which is a good thing for the self-proclaimed tour addict. No sleep? No problem. "I don't think I've actually caught up on my sleep from last year!"

Check out the video for her single "People Pleaser" here. And, um, how utterly stunning is Andy?! - GLAMOUR MAGAZINE

Let’s take it back a few years, when we first got our introduction to singing/guitar playing sensation Andy Allo by way of her debut LP, UnFresh. Before touring the world with Prince and becoming an international star, it was just Andy, her guitar, that afro, and a criminally underrated LP. Well, this summer she’s been revisiting UnFresh with a series of remixes that should help bring some well deserved shine to the album. Today, she gives us a more hip-hop oriented remix, by Gotta, to the intro track, “Fly Away.” Take a listen below, buy the remix here, and get UnFresh via iTunes if it’s not already in your possession. - OKAYPLAYER

Let’s take it back a few years, when we first got our introduction to singing/guitar playing sensation Andy Allo by way of her debut LP, UnFresh. Before touring the world with Prince and becoming an international star, it was just Andy, her guitar, that afro, and a criminally underrated LP. Well, this summer she’s been revisiting UnFresh with a series of remixes that should help bring some well deserved shine to the album. Today, she gives us a more hip-hop oriented remix, by Gotta, to the intro track, “Fly Away.” Take a listen below, buy the remix here, and get UnFresh via iTunes if it’s not already in your possession. - OKAYPLAYER

Post millennium soul artists often claim that their music or sound is indefinable or “refused to be categorized.” In reality, the best music is often something that is simple and relatable. Soul artist Andy Allo called her 2009 debut, UnFresh, “AlterHipSoul.” Thankfully, her latest, Superconductor is simply an enjoyable soulful pop record, or an Oughts-era soul album with perfect pop melodies. There are funk tracks, but the most enjoyable tracks on the album are instantly likable soul songs that discuss love and romanticism, and not just instant gratification. The Cameroon native joined Prince’s New Power Generation as a singer/guitarist in 2011, and his influence can be heard throughout the entire album.

Prince co-wrote three tracks, “The Calm,” “Long Gone,” and the title track. The latter of which is pure Prince-styled pop, filled with strings, mid-tempo bounce, and oblique lyrics; sounding like it belongs on the Diamonds and Pearls album. “Long Gone” is a singer-songwriter type ballad, the type of song that is rarely recorded in today’s pop music landscape. The sweeping lyrics detail a new start in life, and leaving all things, even love, behind. “The Calm,” has an interesting feel. The song has soulful elements, but it has perfect pop melodies and hooks, which belies its complicated relationship musings. The track is an almost perfect melding of 1970s soul and light rock, with better lyrics.
“People Pleaser” is a mid-tempo funk work out, where Andy basically says she is done being a people pleaser. She changed her mind and her views. “Yellow Gold” starts with a funky bassline, then, moves into a 1980s boogie or modern soul groove. It is the high point of the album. The subtle guitars and piano rolls on top of the groove, as Andy muses on simple pleasures and temporary love, but somehow, the track’s fresh, even if it has an older feel, and it doesn’t reek of lust or emptiness – the track is about love, smiles, and genuineness, even if it is temporary.

“Nothing More,” celebrates love and contentment. “If I Was A King,” is a mid-tempo funk song with soulful touches. Andy is putting herself in the position of a man, and viewing a relationship from a surprisingly positive perspective. “The Story of You and I” returns to acoustic guitar driven singer-songwriter storytelling. The album closes with “When Stars Collide,” a hopeful mid-tempo ode to a joyous relationship. It sounds like a happier and less moody version of Herbie Hancock’s “Stars In Your Eyes.” The song reminisces, but it looks forward with hope.

Music in the oughts is based on singles, primary focused on empty catchiness or humor. Superconductor has a classic quality about it, but it remains perfectly modern. Andy Allo’s unique, quirky, but at the same time, sexy and relatable personality also shows through the album, and her lyrics prove that you can still write love songs with depth without sounding trite or pandering. Since the turn of the millennium, I have not found many albums that are worth repeated listens. Superconductor is a much welcomed refreshing exception to this unfortunate trend. It takes real talent and a unique ability to create something this creative, yet, easily likable. Here’s hoping that this is just the beginning for Andy Allo. - COUCH SESSIONS

Post millennium soul artists often claim that their music or sound is indefinable or “refused to be categorized.” In reality, the best music is often something that is simple and relatable. Soul artist Andy Allo called her 2009 debut, UnFresh, “AlterHipSoul.” Thankfully, her latest, Superconductor is simply an enjoyable soulful pop record, or an Oughts-era soul album with perfect pop melodies. There are funk tracks, but the most enjoyable tracks on the album are instantly likable soul songs that discuss love and romanticism, and not just instant gratification. The Cameroon native joined Prince’s New Power Generation as a singer/guitarist in 2011, and his influence can be heard throughout the entire album.

Prince co-wrote three tracks, “The Calm,” “Long Gone,” and the title track. The latter of which is pure Prince-styled pop, filled with strings, mid-tempo bounce, and oblique lyrics; sounding like it belongs on the Diamonds and Pearls album. “Long Gone” is a singer-songwriter type ballad, the type of song that is rarely recorded in today’s pop music landscape. The sweeping lyrics detail a new start in life, and leaving all things, even love, behind. “The Calm,” has an interesting feel. The song has soulful elements, but it has perfect pop melodies and hooks, which belies its complicated relationship musings. The track is an almost perfect melding of 1970s soul and light rock, with better lyrics.
“People Pleaser” is a mid-tempo funk work out, where Andy basically says she is done being a people pleaser. She changed her mind and her views. “Yellow Gold” starts with a funky bassline, then, moves into a 1980s boogie or modern soul groove. It is the high point of the album. The subtle guitars and piano rolls on top of the groove, as Andy muses on simple pleasures and temporary love, but somehow, the track’s fresh, even if it has an older feel, and it doesn’t reek of lust or emptiness – the track is about love, smiles, and genuineness, even if it is temporary.

“Nothing More,” celebrates love and contentment. “If I Was A King,” is a mid-tempo funk song with soulful touches. Andy is putting herself in the position of a man, and viewing a relationship from a surprisingly positive perspective. “The Story of You and I” returns to acoustic guitar driven singer-songwriter storytelling. The album closes with “When Stars Collide,” a hopeful mid-tempo ode to a joyous relationship. It sounds like a happier and less moody version of Herbie Hancock’s “Stars In Your Eyes.” The song reminisces, but it looks forward with hope.

Music in the oughts is based on singles, primary focused on empty catchiness or humor. Superconductor has a classic quality about it, but it remains perfectly modern. Andy Allo’s unique, quirky, but at the same time, sexy and relatable personality also shows through the album, and her lyrics prove that you can still write love songs with depth without sounding trite or pandering. Since the turn of the millennium, I have not found many albums that are worth repeated listens. Superconductor is a much welcomed refreshing exception to this unfortunate trend. It takes real talent and a unique ability to create something this creative, yet, easily likable. Here’s hoping that this is just the beginning for Andy Allo. - COUCH SESSIONS

An exclusive clip of Andy Allo performing "If I Was King" from Guitar Center Sessions on DIRECTV presented by JBL. See an all new episode 9pm ET | 10pm PT on DIRECTV's Audience Network, channel 239. CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS - GUITAR CENTER SESSIONS

Since releasing her debut album, UnFresh, in 2009, singer Andy Allo has gone on to make her mark in the entertainment world. Allo can be seen in National magazine campaigns for brands like Clean and Clear, as well as part of Prince’s touring band New Power Generation where she is a singer and guitarist. Allo is often referred to as Prince’s protégé, and while on tour with the legend she had the opportunity to collaborate on three tracks, which made their home on her sophomore album, Superconductor. With the album, Allo revisited her soulful, indie vibe and is finally gaining the exposure she deserves – she performed on late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, and will be bringing her signature big hair to two live shows at SXSW this year. Allo will be performing at two showcases this year, Friday March 15th at St. David’s Bethell House at 8:45PM and Saturday March 16th at 10PM.

Read more at EBONY http://www.ebony.com/photos/entertainment-culture/sxsw-2013-must-see-performances-405#ixzz2cGHN6zDk
Follow us: @EbonyMag on Twitter | EbonyMag on Facebook - EBONY MAGAZINE

Since releasing her debut album, UnFresh, in 2009, singer Andy Allo has gone on to make her mark in the entertainment world. Allo can be seen in National magazine campaigns for brands like Clean and Clear, as well as part of Prince’s touring band New Power Generation where she is a singer and guitarist. Allo is often referred to as Prince’s protégé, and while on tour with the legend she had the opportunity to collaborate on three tracks, which made their home on her sophomore album, Superconductor. With the album, Allo revisited her soulful, indie vibe and is finally gaining the exposure she deserves – she performed on late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, and will be bringing her signature big hair to two live shows at SXSW this year. Allo will be performing at two showcases this year, Friday March 15th at St. David’s Bethell House at 8:45PM and Saturday March 16th at 10PM.

Read more at EBONY http://www.ebony.com/photos/entertainment-culture/sxsw-2013-must-see-performances-405#ixzz2cGHN6zDk
Follow us: @EbonyMag on Twitter | EbonyMag on Facebook - EBONY MAGAZINE

"When Prince and I worked on the album, 'Superconductor,' he executive produced and arranged it. [He] also co-wrote three songs with me. That experience was incredible. It's very educational. I would just watch him. You're in presence of someone who has so much experience and so much knowledge," Allo said of working with Prince. "At the same time he gave me that space to blossom and grow." As a fan of hers, and also a member of Prince's New Power Generation band, it was inevitable for both to collaborate.

The singer-songwriter and guitarist has been nourishing her love for music since the young age of seven, when her mother taught her to play the piano. She's released two albums to date, as an independent artist, 2009's "UnFresh" and 2012's "Superconductor."

"Being an independent artist, you have freedom. It's a lot of responsibility because you get to make decisions for yourself," she said. "Sometimes you are critical of yourself being an independent artist. You definitely think about what you're doing and what's coming across. But that's the beauty of being an independent artist is you can surround yourself with good people that will always have your back."

Allo is taking her time with her third studio album. She's currently writing new material such as her latest song, "One Step Closer," which she performed exclusively for Billboard. - BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

I have to be honest I didn’t know what to expect when I clicked on this email (entitled 2DopeBoyz Music Submission). Normally I tend to overlook random emails as I have enough shit to sift through from folks I actually “know”. Anyways, I’m glad I did! Included below is a joint from Cameroon, West Africa born songstress Andy Allo; featuring the homie Blu. And if you like what you hear (as I did) you can cop her album. - 2DopeBoyz- Okay Player

Do not let the title Unfresh fool you: throughout her self-released debut, Andy Allo injects a distinctive breath of urban music fresh air. Her laid-back soulful style -- free of instrumental clutter - is buoyed by a confident attitude that consistently works. The Cameroon born, San Francisco resident has been full of fresh ideas even before she picked up her first guitar. Her goal of being sincerely ‘unfresh' is to create music that sounds beautiful regardless of genre.

"Dreamland" has drawn attention on several internet blogs. The song, taken loosely from "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," has one foot in hip-hop and another in dreamy string orchestrations. "Stalker" is full of catchy broken beats despite the song's obvious subject matter. And Allo's cool commentary on the troubled economy in "Fly Away" is a throwback to the hip-hop collective Arrested Development's style, effectively meshing rap and laid back funk. These are just some of the tracks on Unfresh that prove Allo is another fresh voice to look out for in today's soul music market.

Other Notable Tracks: "I Want Love" & "Knew You At All"

- Peggy Oliver (SoulTracks)

I've been waiting on this ever since I watched one of her live youtube vids. She's somewhere between Corinne Bailey Rae and Amel Larrieux. Her debut album UnFresh is a raw, honest and refreshingly unique collection of music that defines the word atmospheric. The album also features a surprise guest appearance by Californian underground Hip-hop star Blu. Definitely a good addition to you music collection. The album is scheduled to be released on September 22nd. Check out her myspace page (www.myspace.com/andyallo) and website (www.andyallo.com) for more. - www.thisisrealmusic.com

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

KEEPING IT REAL, MS ANDY ALLO

Dulce Camer is a platform for talents from Cameroon, we are here to talk about up and coming talents, established talents, talents who are not using their talents, lol..ok, the talent spotlight this week is on Ms Andy Allo of Sacramento, California, USA.
Her style of music is not typical of the sounds from Cameroon however she has blended her musical influences together to come up with her own sound that is unique to her.

Here below is her interview, happy reading y’all!

DC: What is your favourite word?
AA: My favourite word would be “Fabulous” because I always use it when someone asks me how I am doing and how things are going. It is a positive word and a word you don’t hear that often. It makes me feel good, yes I like the word!

DC: Who is Andy Allo, the person?
AA: Wow…erm, I am simple yet complicated, I am all about no drama, I am all about living life and experiencing all that it has to offer, whether good or bad. I love smiling and being happy. I don’t regret a lot of things, I learn from everything. I don’t like being down so if something negative happens, it does not really get to me because I am upbeat and I think positive.

DC: Okay, sounds good!

DC: If you were elected the president of Cameroon, what would be the first thing you would do?
AA: Okay…erm…wow, decisions, decisions…I would throw a huge party, not a show but a festival of some sort. Something to bring the whole country together, getting everyone to have fun, to get along, eat and be merry!

DC: Which musicians do you look up to?
AA: Michael Jackson, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Miriam Makeba, Jill Scott, Lauren Hill, Maxwell etc

DC: What is the source of your strength?
AA: Erm…I would say my parents. I was born in Cameroon and moved to the US over 8 years ago. I was in Cameroon and my mother moved to the US leaving me with my dad there. From watching my dad handle and deal with things in Cameroon showed me a strong and ambitious man. From my mum, I got more of the emotional strength and the ability to take care of myself.
DC: What motivates you?
AA: Being alive! There are so many things I haven’t experienced, therefore the hunger for wanting, seeing and experiencing more motivates me.

DC: How would you describe your music?
AA: My music can be described as alternative Soul, alternative Folk and House. I took up the guitar about a year ago and this now accompanies my lyrics.

DC: What would you say you use your music for?
AA: My music is my way to communicate who I am inside. I use it to say what I am going through, how I feel and what I am thinking. I am almost afraid to share this because it is so dear to me and I feel vulnerable sometimes.
DC: Where do you get your inspiration for your lyrics?
AA: Erm… I would say from day to day things. Most recently, it has been my boyfriend but usually it is from life in general, my mum, other people, ie my friends, my band mates etc and different experiences that I have had especially moving from Cameroon to the US and having to adapt.
*************************************************
Andy with her mum & dad
DC: How supportive have your parents been?
AA: They have always been supportive but they wanted me to go to school and get a degree. They saw my passion and dedication and they realised that I was going to go ahead with my decision. They like what I am doing now though, having seen the results I have had.

DC: What do you think of the way artists are promoted / treated in Africa?
AA: I don’t remember a lot of stuff on the radio and even on the show “Tam Tam Weekend”, I remember seeing few African acts and more Western videos. Even now I don’t hear a lot of African artists being promoted maybe I have not been listening or paying that much attention!

DC: What advice would you give to an artist on creating a presence and making money from this field?
AA: Being connected online is a more efficient way to create presence and to promote yourself at the moment especially at download sites such as Limewire, uploading your video on YouTube etc. Artists make money from touring so you need to do more shows.

DC: What are your goals?
AA: My goal right now is to get to do more shows and also to start working on newer materials. My main focus is to hold on to my skill as a songwriter, guitar player and performer and to focus on me and the message I am trying to send in my music.

DC: What feedback have you had from the Cameroonian milieu?
AA: There are not that many Cameroonians in Sacramento and if they are, I have not found them or they are hiding away from me! The only Cameroonians I talk to are my family. I have not gotten any feedback from them as I have not told them what I am doing however, my father did play some of my stuff to my cousins and they loved it so far.

DC: When is your album out?
AA: I am currently recording my debut album which will be a mix of my acoustic sound and hip ho - DulceCamer

I have to be honest I didn’t know what to expect when I clicked on this email (entitled 2DopeBoyz Music Submission). Normally I tend to overlook random emails as I have enough shit to sift through from folks I actually “know”. Anyways, I’m glad I did! Included below is a joint from Cameroon, West Africa born songstress Andy Allo; featuring the homie Blu. And if you like what you hear (as I did) you can cop her album. - 2DopeBoyz- Okay Player

Perhaps you know of Cameroon-born pop-music maven Andy Allo as the angelic crooner that’s taken up co-signs from the likes of Prince and Janelle Monáe. Or maybe you’re one for the left-field boom-bap of Blu & Exile and recall that airy vox on their Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them standout “Ease Your Mind.” Wherever you place Allo’s voice, it seems to add the type of sonic grace that defines a tune. But today we have the honor of ushering in the former NPG vocalist’s new EP Hello; a 5-track compendium of pop prowess that has some pretty heavy Top 40 implications. Really, any one of these tracks could find a home on your radio dial, but what really shines on Hello is an impeccable command for pop composition, which is perfectly displayed at any one time on any of these five cuts, making her more kin to The Purple One than anyone could have possibly imagined. - OKAYPLAYER

There are music videos with dancing and choreography and then there are dance music videos. Maddie Ziegler consistently stole the show in all of the clips she starred in for Sia's work, and even P!nk got in on the action for her "Try" music video. And now, singer-songwriter Andy Allo is joining in, and her video for "Don't Ever Say" is truly stunning.

In it, two dancers (Natasha Hugger and Melissa Bourkas) act out one of the hardest things anyone will ever go through — a couple fighting, and ultimately breaking up. It's an intimate look inside the home of two women who struggle and experience every emotion possible. Andy, who was born in Cameroon and has three albums to her name, told us that she thinks "the feeling of heartbreak is something everyone can relate to. I wanted this video to show that no matter who you're with, breaking up or leaving a relationship is never easy and sometimes you don't want to let go."

The clip was directed and produced by Charles Michael Davis of The Originals, and Andy is she's so proud of how the video turned out, saying that Charles "was so great at making sure the integrity and heart of the song were never compromised." - TEEN VOGUE