Joyo Velarde
“Take You Home” (mp3)
from “Joyo Velarde EP”
(Quannum Projects)

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If you lived in California in the 90s, chances are you’ve sung Joyo’s refrain in the shower. After the Manila-born NorCal transplant finished studying opera in Rome, she returned to the Bay Area, where she and future husband Lyrics Born recorded what would go on to be Solesides’ greatest hit, a little number called “Balcony Beach.” The song appeared on 1997′s Latyrx, a record that went on to sell over 100,000 copies worldwide.

Love and Understanding – preceded by a digital-only EP in January 2009 – is a refreshing perspective on traditional soul music handcrafted by Joyo and Lyrics Born with the help of fellow producers Jake One (Aftermath Records), Emmy Award winner Asa Taccone, RJD2, Tommy Guerrero, Headnodic (Crown City Rockers), and the Lifesavas’ Jumbo the Garbageman.

A glimpse into Joyo’s positive, self-affirming outlook, not to mention her impressive talent, it’s already caught the attention of award-winning writer/actor/director Danny Hoch, founder of the Hip-Hop Theatre Festival, who used her new song “Feels Right” in his latest play, Taking Over. Love and Understanding will come out physically and digitally in early Spring 2009.

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