SoulCafe//AV2 presents . . . BACKSTAGE Pass ft. AYO

If you couldn't make it to the show, or if you didn't have good seats . . .
Here is EXCLUSIVE ACCESS to the stage, the music, the artist, and beyond.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL CATALOG OF CONTENT & AVAILABLE FOOTAGE

Video Selections Include: 1. Intro 2. "Letter By Letter" 3. Ayo's Story 4. "Without You" 5. "Life Is Real" 6. Ayo's Songs 7. "Down On My Knees" 8. "To Be Heard"
The above excerpts were taken courtesy of:
The AV2Experience//SoulRImages

REVIEW
AYO // JOYFUL // INTERSCOPE RECORDS

Born near Cologne, Germany to a Nigerian father and Romani (Gypsy) mother, Ayo's music is a pleasing blend of cultural heritages steeped in soul, folk, afro beat, jazz and reggae dub music.
The "African Gypsy" (as she calls herself) goes by the name of Ayo which means "joyful" in Yoruba.
Her album, Joyful, has reached platinum status in Europe already, and is available, and picking up steam here in the states.

Low on the bass and heavy on the funk, "Joyful" delivers a package of hip soul-infused-jazz mixed with rough-round-the-edges reggae.
If that sounds a bit confusing then just imagine Bob Marley and Amy Winehouse together on stage. But Ayo is not about to go into rehab, no no no. She's an unpretentious young lady who will surely brighten up the world music scene for years to come.

With her husband and son, Ayo now divides her time between Paris and New York.

Joyful was produced by Grammy award-winner Jay Newland (Norah Jones), and recorded in New York City in five days flat, under studio-live conditions. This created a relaxed yet urgently charged ambience that underpins the ebb and flow of all 12 tracks.
Musically, the tunes incorporate diverse quotes from a polyglot life, such as accordion-laced French bal musette, slouchy Afro-Euro reggae, quietly down-and-dirty R & B-influenced organ riffs, Beatles-eque piano chords, plus subtle strings and over all, a moodily suave acoustic guitar. Ayo's girlishly light but spot-on vocals are sung primarily in English with occasional touches of Nigerian pigeon.
She speaks of sexual passion hopeless and fulfilled, family, friendships, and philosophical observations both grim and optimistic; these are young songs from an old soul.
The massive success of the present album has led to a television special, Ayo Live in Monte Carlo, which will be aired in the USA on PBS. During it, the young chanteuse performs tunes from Joyful and hobnobs with Princess Stephanie of Monaco, with whom she shares a commitment to children's causes.
- Christina Roden/Amazon.com

Her sound is often compared to SADE, Joni Mitchell, Tracey Chapman, Carole King, and Lauryn Hill (2nd Album).

AS OF JAN. 2008, AYO HAS SOLD OVER 550,000 CDS (AND COUNTING) OF HER DEBUT, "JOYFUL', IN EUROPE ALONE!

Her debut album, "Joyful" is in stores, and available online, worldwide, now.

CHOOSE A BUTTON BELOW TO ACCESS AVAILABLE BACKSTAGE PASS ENTRIES
	*See footage of DWELE* Live @ Double Door - Chicago**
	*See footage of FLOETRY* Live @ Sensual Steps - Chicago**
	*See interview & footage of KINDRED* Live @ Navy Pier - Chicago**
	*See footage of NICK COLIONNE* Live @ Coop's - Chicago**
	*See interview & footage of RAHSAAN PATTERSON* Live @ The Chicago Theatre**

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As you walk in, and notice mp3 players with headphones, laptops connected to the "IT" artist's website, big screens flashing cool video & images, and you hear some of the hottest music you've never heard, you realize, as you bite down on something delicious, and wash it down with something even more delicious, that this is the coolest, most innovative listening party you have never been to. All you want to know is . . . "Can I buy this?", and "When is the next one?" Click below to receive more information, and to RSVP, or request an invite at: music@soulcafe.net . . . Don't Miss The Premiere Of " LP 2.0 Live", Featuring new music & material from "Your Favorite Funky Soul Sister", ERYKAH BADU and her upcoming album - New AmErykah - In Stores February 26th . . .