Monday 3 December 2012

Fashion et al Hearts Andy Allo…..[Stand Up Cameroon]














Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWmSiYqn9s0

 

First heard the uber beautiful Andy Allo’s fabulous version of Cat Stevens’ ‘Wild World’ way back in February [2012] and promised myself to find out more about this chanteuse…. Well as you all know, I’ve been missing-in-action for sometime, thus its only now I can share Andy Allo’s talents with yaaaaa!!!

What can I say? She’s pretty special and dresses the part.. The following bio comes from Andy’s website:

Every so often, an artist comes along who is indefinable -- an artist who is truly paving her own way with bits of music, sound, vibes and words that speak to her on a deeper level. Such an artist isn't bound by genre and is intent on creating a unique musical expression of herself. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Andy Allo is that artist.

Andy's new solo album, Superconductor, has people calling her a refreshing songbird with a bright funk soul. Even her peers can't stop singing her praises. Says R&B vocalist Ledisi, “After eight bars of her first song, 'People Pleaser', I realized that I had stopped breathing. Andy's songwriting is so refreshing, and vocally, she does just enough gentle gliding through her melodies. Her lyrics say it all, and the musicianship on this project reminds me why I fell in love with music."

Superconductor is indeed “all that” and so much more. The album is the sophomore effort of a young artist who is clearly going to be here for a long time, and the start of something musically fresh. Says Allo, "I created a genre called Alter.Hip.Soul for my first album, UnFresh (2009), whereas the compositions for Superconductor incorporate a variety of layers and a whole lot of Funk."

Andy, who hails from Cameroon, Africa, had her first introduction to a musical instrument through her piano-teaching mother who taught her at age seven. Andy, who is the youngest of five siblings, found her voice, however, by harmonizing with one of her older sisters to songs such as "Sweet Chariot". Says Andy, "Growing up in Cameroon, life was very easy and simple. I was surrounded by music. Every morning there would be records playing, like Dolly Parton and Miriam Makeba; and on road trips, my father and I would listen to Fleetwood Mac."

Andy, who joined Prince's New Power Generation in 2011 as singer/guitarist, co-wrote three of the album's nine tracks with Prince – "Superconductor", "The Calm" and "Long Gone" – who also provided the larger-than-life musical arrangements for all tracks and served as Executive Producer. Says Andy, "Collaborating with Prince was such a blessing. He created an environment that was open to any and all ideas. It was really exciting to bring him an acoustic song, which is how most of my songs began, and to see him turn them into these epic masterpieces.”

Andy wrote the remaining six songs on the record and enlisted the help of some legends to make her sound complete. Legendary saxophonist Maceo Parker and Trombone Shorty play on the reggae-influenced "If I Was a King", and the infectious lead single, "People Pleaser". The result is an album that ranges from expansive, multi-layered songs with a full, big sound and lyrical depth. Andy beautifully balances the strong and fierce side of herself with the vulnerable and romantic throughout the record.

Andy, who was a familiar face on G4's Attack of the Show, and campaigns for Clean & Clear and Kohl’s, met Prince in 2011 through The Africa Channel, and the two bonded instantly about music and life. "We jammed a few times after that first meeting. It was like spending time with an old friend. We joked around from the moment we met. It was such an open space, and we talked about music, religion and life, “ says Andy.

Of the album's title, Andy explains, "I've always been interested in energy and have been studying superconductivity. Whenever someone or something comes into our lives, there is transference of energy. Music is one of those things. It has a way of moving and bringing people together that is universal, and my hope for this record is for it to be a part of that movement.“

"I feel like this is just the beginning of my story," she says. "There’s a lot I want to share with the world.”

"We knew she'd be leading her own revolutions soon," adds Prince. Indeed, and that soon is now.

 

 
You can download Andy's latest -SUPERCONDUCTOR on iTunes visit: http://bit.ly/WyLXBy
Amazon:
http://amzn.to/Wyymdu
and for my android friends...
Google Play:
http://bit.ly/Qb3RHQ

For more info or to keep up with Andy Allo’s fabulous musical happenings visit:

http://www.alloevolution.com/
https://www.facebook.com/andyallo
https://twitter.com/andyallo

Sunday 2 December 2012

Nigeria Rising…. Ndani at Selfridges


Ndani - the Nigerian Fashion Project at Selfridges

— 30 November 2012
Ndani - the Nigerian Fashion Project at Selfridges London on 2
Selfridges is excited to launch Ndani, the Nigerian Fashion Project that brings the best of Lagos Fashion and Design Week to London.
Ndani presents an edit of spring/summer 2013 pieces, hand-picked from the runway shows of one of Africa’s foremost fashion showcases.
Ndani offers an edit from five key designers, already well established in Nigeria including Lisa Folawiyo with her label Jewel By Lisa, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Eki Orleans, Odio Mimonet and Tiffany Amber. The space also showcases pieces from emerging Nigerian designers - Agu Anumudu and House of Silk, the label set up by Jennifer Adighije.
On the catwalk at Lagos Fashion Week
Upon first glance at the display in store, it is clear that the designers share a passion for intricate prints and rich colour. The collections elevate the traditional patterns of African culture within the realm of designerwear and exquisite craftsmanship. Despite this strong cohesion, each Ndani designer at Selfridges has a wholly unique style – an integral feature in the Nigerian couture code.
Ndani, the Nigerian Fashion Project at Selfridges runs from 1 December until January on 2 at Selfridges London.
From yellow cabs with a difference to some of the world’s top fashion journalists on the front row, see some snapshots of our buyer’s trip to Lagos Fashion Week SS13.
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Source: http://style.selfridges.com/whats-in/ndani-nigerian-fashion-project-selfridges