Ayo | Joyful — 18 Feb 2007

I discovered Ayo (Joy in Yoruba) quite by chance just before leaving for Leysin last week. I was following a trail of "you bought this - see what others bought" on the iTS when I fell on Ayo's first album: Joyful. After listening to a few extracts, I was seduced.

My first impression was confirmed over time. I was taken in by her delicate melodies which constantly reminded me of a mix of Cesária Évora, Corinne Bailey Rae or Norah Jones. Her voice is warm, powerful and enticing, just as the sound of her guitar. The genre is difficult to categorise: somewhat a cross between reggae, soul and jazz. Enchanting.

This album was released last summer, and it took me over 6 months to discover it. Don't wait as long.