AYO - JOYFUL

Here’s a great new release from Ayo, whose name translates to "joy" inYoruba, is the daughter of a Nigerian father and a gypsy Romanian mother.Raised in Germany, Ayo's rich cultural background inspired her to listen toher father's diverse collection of Donnie Hathaway, Jimmy Cliff, Fela Kutiand Pink Floyd. On Joyful, she strives to naturally and sincerely share herstories and touch others, boosted solely by her life experience and dreams."Down On My Knees" rests upon a cool reggae rhythm, a simple folk melodyand elegant production with a voice that is 100% soul singing, crying outits love, nothing more. "If people interpret something else, hidden betweenthe lines, by all means, they're free to do so," Ayo insinuates. Laced withHispanic undertones and a hint of Caribbean spice, "And It's Supposed To BeLove" is Ayo's only cover taken from the repertoire of jazz singer AbbeyLincoln. Straightaway, "Help Is Coming" has a rhythmic style with elementsof rock and reggae, belying its emotional nature as a ballad. For fans ofany type of music, it is an immense joy to hear Ayo, but it is an absolutedelight for followers of Corinne Bailey Rae, India.Arie, and Angie Stone.