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Having already won over the hearts and charts of Europe (Top Twenty in Germany; Platinum in France), German-born chanteuse Ayo now brings her easy going soulfolk sound to the UK. The daughter of a Nigerian father and Romanian Gypsy, Ayo has recently spent time in London, Paris and NYC; meaning that not only are her genetic credentials satisfyingly heterogeneous, but there's plenty of media-friendly 'urban cool' in her story too. Even more propitious perhaps, is the fact that Joyful, her debut album, was produced by none other than Jay 'Norah Jones' Newland, a man who has oodles of experience in the jazz and soul worlds and a canny knack of crafting mainstream pop hits. 'Down On My Knees,' the album's opener, is set to a sparse reggae-lite groove and establishes Ayo as a capable, passionate vocalist who can switch it up between sultry/sexy and saccharine-sweet with consummate ease.
The subtly Latino lament 'Without You,' with its warm accordion and hairline Hammond follows, along with the harmonica-driven 'Letter By Letter,' and the strangely hypnotic waltz 'And it's Supposed To Be Love'.
The reggae-folk of 'Only You' and the sassier skank of 'Help Is Coming' buoy the album's mellow mood, but doubts creep in when the record fails to gain any real pace, or break away from the same keep-it-safe formula that tends to plague Norah Jones' records.
Ballads like 'Watching You' break almost every cliche in the lyric-book - 'You made my dreams come true'/'So addicted to your love'/You'll always have the best place in my heart' - utterly dampening any genuine emotion wrought from Ayo's voice. 'These Days' and the finale 'Neva Been' go the same route; ironically enough, the latter tune finally builds up to a much longed-for funk-soul workout...sadly, it's too late. Overall, the songs here are technically good and Ayo is an authentic talent.
Perhaps in the hands of a different producer Joyful may have lived up to its name and created waves of ecstasy and exultation amongst the masses; as it stands, its appeal will be limited to the coffee table crowd. --Paul Sullivan
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a stunning debut CD, easily as accomplished as the first from Norah Jones, but without receiving the advertising necessary to achieve the same exposure and momentum. The production is clear, natural and sparse. The influence rhythmic rather than jazz. The lyrics are heartfelt and genuine, expressed with emotion. This solo singer / songwriter has been given the just reward for her ability, with superb session musicians enhancing the beauty and sheer quality of her material and performance. This should be an award winning CD. Buy with confidence - it will become one of your favourites!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The most important information about this great singer and guitar player has already been said. So what makes her debut CD special in my opinion? I think it is the honesty and passion with which Ayo is making music. Instead of singing about those superficial mainstream topics, her lyrics have depth and she really means it. That doesn't mean, however, that there aren't any "feel-good-songs" - African rhythms provide for that.
Ayo is a great musician who should be up there with the likes of Tracy Chapman for example. Apart from her second album "Gravity at last" she also features her husband Patrice on his new work "FreePatriAtion".
Ayo is a great musician who should be up there with the likes of Tracy Chapman for example. Apart from her second album "Gravity at last" she also features her husband Patrice on his new work "FreePatriAtion".
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Born near Cologne, Germany in 1980, her father Nigerian and her mother a Romanian Gypsy, singer/songwriter Ayo meaning joy in the Nigerian language Yoruba) releases an album titled Joyful that reflects her diverse up bringing.
According to her website Ayo grew up listening to artists such as Pink Floyd, Fela Kuti, and Bob Marley. This album does have a strong reggae feel interwoven with folk, soul, African and European sounds.
With "Down On My Knees", "How Many Times", "It's Supposed To Be Love", "Life Is Real", "Help Is Coming" and "Neva Been" being the standout tracks.
With a pleasant, soft & eclectic voice, Ayo appears to be a voice that we might hear a lot of in the future. For people who like something different.
(NB: The letter "o" in Ayo should have a dot underneath it to show that the word means joy in Yoruba, unfortunately Amazon's system converts this character into a square when previewed, apologies to Ayo).
According to her website Ayo grew up listening to artists such as Pink Floyd, Fela Kuti, and Bob Marley. This album does have a strong reggae feel interwoven with folk, soul, African and European sounds.
With "Down On My Knees", "How Many Times", "It's Supposed To Be Love", "Life Is Real", "Help Is Coming" and "Neva Been" being the standout tracks.
With a pleasant, soft & eclectic voice, Ayo appears to be a voice that we might hear a lot of in the future. For people who like something different.
(NB: The letter "o" in Ayo should have a dot underneath it to show that the word means joy in Yoruba, unfortunately Amazon's system converts this character into a square when previewed, apologies to Ayo).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
DEFINATELY JOYFUL
I bought this CD for my sister as I already had it and loved it. It is JOYFUL to listen to. A great new artist with a reggea, acoustic and upbeat feel to it. FANTASTIC!!!!!
Published on 14 Feb 2009 by A. Goncalves
WOW!!! Where did she come from....??
I loved this from the first liten. Strangley enough, some tracks reminded me of Chris Isaak!! It's mellow and sweet. Her voice is great. It's new and wonderful. Buy it.
Published on 2 Nov 2006 by P. Stavropoulou
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