It is a little bit after midnight when I arrive at The Record Plant in Hollywood to talk with and listen to Andy Allo's "Superconductor" tonight. What I hear over the next few hours is an artist that is on the rise and willing to challenge herself and others around her to get there.

I'm greeted by Andy and an assistant along with a friend. They play from the top a track from "Superconductor" entitled "If I Was King" which is a mix of reggae with a pop-funk flavor. The bass is high in the mix and I am digging it. Towards the end, she does something with her voice that impresses me. Showing her octave range and being able to change it instead of staying in one tone gets to me and makes my ears perk up. I'm told the track is about 7 minutes in length but they are trying to cut it down. The groove is quite good and I can understand when recording it, you just keep going and don't want to stop. Either that or there may have been a bass player who just wanted to keep going.

We take a break for some other things to be set up and I'm challenged to some "table tennis" by Andy and her friend, who both whooped me so bad, I felt like I went a few rounds with Floyd Mayweather. Wearing my church shoes was no excuse or else I would use it.

After taking my whooping, we go back into the studio with Andy and a producer making edits. Making sure levels are right in the mix. Andy catches a part where there are hand-claps and they sound off to her. It is something that the producer friend catches onto as well and mentions a white female back-up singer. I say "blame it on the white girl for not clapping on the 2 n 4, why don't you?" and there are a couple of laughs as we continue with the sound editing.

We take a short break to discuss things in the music industry and the force-fed music played to us by radio program directors. During the conversation, Carly Rae Jepson's name comes up with her song "Call Me Maybe" being number one in the nation and how Justin Bieber made a video of the song with his girlfriend Selena Gomez that had over 40 million views and then Carly's song started taking off slowly but surely til it hit number one. It wasn't exactly the love of the song that made Justin cover it, but perhaps because his manager also manages Carly. It was brought out that although she may be number one and had those millions of youtube views, she doesn't own her publishing to make sure she is paid.

After more discussion of the music industry and how Andy can get noticed and played by staying independent, I'm taken back to the studio and then have several tracks from "Superconductor" are played for me.

First up is "People Pleaser" which features Maceo Parker. We heard a sample of the song before but not the full version. Her producer friend states "All those funk cover bands are going to want to start covering this as soon as they hear it." I'm bobbing my head to it, but compared to the other tracks I am about to hear, it doesn't really compare.

Next up is "When Stars Collide" which features a cool bass groove. This song speaks to me. From my ears, to my heart, to my feet tapping along with it. She belts this out and quickly the thoughts come to mind of Betty Davis. I am really digging on this one and cannot wait for you all to hear it.

Next up is "Superconductor" where is she talking bout needing one, and you have to feel that on her search, she is going to find one. We are told that Michael Bland plays drums on this track. There is a lot going on with this song, and Andy is able to keep the groove going. A lot is going on and it is working. It doesn't sound old, it stands out and it is fresh.

Next up is "Gone" which I am told was inspired by an old James Taylor and Carol King special. It just features Andy on vocals and guitar and it is stunning and as Andy put it, "Raw" and wanted to keep it that way even though her friend was really wanting to add strings to the song. It is quite good the way it is. I would have liked to have heard strings but it really doesn't need it.

A few more tracks are played for me, one where the piano playing is going to make Gaga drop her mouth and we bet "lift" it for herself. It was ridiculous how sick the piano player was on it.

Andy Allo. Facebook.com/AndyAllo

There are cuts here on the "Superconductor" CD. Big time. There is a reason why Universal Music is interested in distributing this CD, but at the time of writing, Universal has not stepped up to the plate with the right kind of offer to entice Andy. She is even thinking of taking pre-orders soon of the album on her own web site, ALLOEVOLUTION.COM

The thing is, even without a distribution deal, good music will find a way out there. You look at Adele. You look at others. Andy Allo's "Superconductor" is a CD that must be heard. I've heard people talking. It's someone young singing older music, they say. Quite simply, it is not. There is an ode to the old but what is on there is new and it challenges the listener.

She has legends around her such as Maceo Parker and Prince's band, The NPG, along with Prince himself producing 3 of the 9 tracks on the album. Andy is not sitting on the sidelines when it comes to her music. She is putting in as much input as her producer and it shows.

It is around 4 in the morning and Andy is still giving out directions to the sound engineer, while going through upcoming plans on the "Superconductor" promotion. There are others I have seen that have talent but do not work hard at it. Luck is not enough to get you by. The hard work behind it plays a lot into that and Andy is working hard.

The album is slated for a September release with the title track "Superconductor" likely to be the first single. For those that love real music by real musicians, make sure to support an album such as this one.

There is talk of possibly doing some shows before the album comes out late summer but nothing concrete as of yet.

Like I stated before, good music has a way of being heard, weather you have a major label behind you or not. The road is a little bit harder and you have to put in the work, but Miss Allo is determined to do it. She did not have to say it. It is obvious to everyone around her. She takes her music and her craft very seriously. She may be looking for a "Superconductor" but after this album, you will understand she is one herself.-DocFB

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/andyallo

Twitter: Twitter.com/AndyAllo

Web Site: http://alloevolution.com/

http://www.drfunkenberry....conductor/

"real music by real musicians" - give me a break. I've heard Andy Allo sing and play guitar. Her talent is far less devoloped than a lot of the hip hop artists that are dominating the charts right now. She can't build herself up by taking shots at what other artists do.

Let's wait to hear a "real" review from someone who is not permanently lodged up Prince's arse!

Interesting to get a bit of info behind the scene like that. Obviously I'm going to listen to Allo's album since Prince has co-written three songs and I hope my ears will agree with the reviewer's. And I think she's pretty hot. Yeah, I justed wanted to say that.

Really exciting news from DrFunkenberry about Superconductor! I seriously cannot wait to hear this record cuz I know it is going to be sooo bloody good!! Lucky thing getting sneak previews of the tracks. Been loving all these interviews with Miss Allo lately! She seems like a genuine & lovely girl. Still can't get over how much she reminds me of my niece though! Give her a blonde bob & they could almost look like twins in my eyes! ha ha Would love to hear more of When Stars Collide; sounds like a beautiful song from what we've heard so far.

Cool interview. Seems the cd will have some really good musicians on it.

kinda looking forward to it.. but when will we get to hear the lead single..

Why does most of this have the Family Guy voice-over bloke in my head...

"You look at Adele. You look at others. Andy Allo's "Superconductor" is a CD that must be heard. I've heard people talking. It's someone young singing older music, they say."

It sounds like PR fucking bullshit to me. Modesty and DFB aren't even aware of each other as far as I can tell. If that site had a voice some cleverly ironic cartoon would take the piss out of it in an instance.

Boy, all this negativity and hate! Must be the Org rubbing off on me.

I'll reserve judgement until I hear the album. If we ever see it. I mean, seriously, how fucking long is it taking!? Other albums have been and gone since this one has been talked about. I've had my signed copies from the Kaisier Chiefs and Beach House already! Talk about slow.

PS: the wife likes the Kaisers.

PPS: and so do I

Reading it again though it's a good job she doesn't have a cock because the reviewer would have choked to death on it. How am I expected to take something seriously when it is being praised with such sycophancy?

I am not excited but at least it seems there will be few - if any - sterile drum programming.

what type of listener is she targetting?

iloveannie said:

I've had my signed copies from the Kaisier Chiefs and Beach House already! Talk about slow.

PS: the wife likes the Kaisers.

PPS: and so do I

No shame in that. Kaisers are ace! It's a shame they are not as known in the States but they are always spot on. One of the better bands around, I think I even like them more than brit aces like Blur.

Ok. I'm going to give Andy a chance. I never cared for her when touring for Prince but after seeing some live acoustic performances I instantly started diggin Andy's possibilities as an artist. The clips are up on youtube and I thought I seen something special in the performace. But talk about a Yoko Ono backlash from the core P community! Andy will get if we get no Prince cd.

peri1025 said:

Wonder who the friend is?? Somone asked Dr. Funkenberry on his fcbk page and he was like some people already know others can figure it out...aka Mr. P is the "friend". Glad to see she at least seems to be in control of the decisions and wants an identity outside of P's friend!

Obviously it's Jamie Starr, who as we all know is definitely not Prince.

It's about the closest thing to a new Prince album we've had in a while.

People Pleaser sounded pretty cool to me

2020 said:

Let's wait to hear a "real" review from someone who is not permanently lodged up Prince's arse!

Here's what I predict everyone who's posted on this thread so far will do:

Half of y'all will buy it.

Half of y'all will steal it.

Which half are you in?

WisdomNLove said:

what type of listener is she targetting?

With Maceo and Prince on board, clearly the "old school"-fraction!

RodeoSchro said:

Here's what I predict everyone who's posted on this thread so far will do:

Half of y'all will buy it.

Half of y'all will steal it.

Which half are you in?

I'd say thirds

i.e - third will but it, 3rd will steal it, third will listen to snippets before they pass judgement and give it a pass - neither stealing nor buying it - Tamar, Milk and Honey and anyone......

WisdomNLove said:

what type of listener is she targetting?

People on this website mainly.

This album needs to be stronger and more consistent then Milk and Honey or Elixer if he wants it to be more then a one shot. Though I will admit that Andy has a LOT more charisma then any of the flusey's Prince has been backing lately. While I'm not knowledgeable about the technical aspects of guitar playing, I think Allo does a good enough job (Wendy didn't have the chops some of Prince's later axe men did, but she played better). And her voice is fine, everyone needs to get over it. I'm just glad Prince isn't running around with a tranny or a crazy bald fatty.

PurpleLove7 said:

I'm greeted by Andy and an assistant along with a friend. They play from the top a track from "Superconductor" entitled "If I Was King" which is a mix of reggae with a pop-funk flavor. The bass is high in the mix and I am digging it. Towards the end, she does something with her voice that impresses me. Showing her octave range and being able to change it instead of staying in one tone gets to me and makes my ears perk up. I'm told the track is about 7 minutes in length but they are trying to cut it down. The groove is quite good and I can understand when recording it, you just keep going and don't want to stop. Either that or there may have been a bass player who just wanted to keep going.

- Please dont cut it down. I used to love it when Prince had long jams on his albums.

Next up is "Superconductor" where is she talking bout needing one, and you have to feel that on her search, she is going to find one. We are told that Michael Bland plays drums on this track. There is a lot going on with this song, and Andy is able to keep the groove going. A lot is going on and it is working. It doesn't sound old, it stands out and it is fresh.

- Love Michael Bland. One of my fave drummers ever.

whoever doc funkeneberry is needs to consider a career outside of journalism... seriously, there were at least 4 or 5 sentences i had to go back and re read to try to understand what the hell he's trying to say.

''Next up is "Superconductor" where is she talking bout needing one, and you have to feel that on her search, she is going to find one.''

um... ok?

''I'm taken back to the studio and then have several tracks from "Superconductor" are played for me.''

wow.

do people even scan through the article anymore when they're finished writing it? this wouldn't pass a 3rd grade english class. i feel much stupider after reading this.

anyhoo, by the 1st quote from the mysterious 'friend' you're like, 'i wonder who that could be?'

i really like her voice - she is much better than Bria and i would def buy her cd

electric said:

whoever doc funkeneberry is needs to consider a career outside of journalism... seriously, there were at least 4 or 5 sentences i had to go back and re read to try to understand what the hell he's trying to say.

''Next up is "Superconductor" where is she talking bout needing one, and you have to feel that on her search, she is going to find one.''

um... ok?

''I'm taken back to the studio and then have several tracks from "Superconductor" are played for me.''

wow.

do people even scan through the article anymore when they're finished writing it? this wouldn't pass a 3rd grade english class. i feel much stupider after reading this.

anyhoo, by the 1st quote from the mysterious 'friend' you're like, 'i wonder who that could be?'

Yes, I totally agree.

Plus, this guy's presence is peculiar in general. Of all writers in the world, why was THIS person chosen to be "The NPG's" so-called blogger? What is this connection between Prince and a large, fanatical Caucasian man who's not a musician? Bad writing or not, if the author was some wack woman, I wouldn't be as perplexed regarding the choice. But a dude? Unusual.

Prince seems really invested in Ally to become the next Adele. hope this project is successful 4 her she has a lot of charisma. The indepentdent thing don't know. Sometimes some artist need an extra push 2 get them out there. wonder what her "friend "was wearing?

Sleeping with a man..and then b called a FRIEND...I'd B PISSED!!!

WaterInYourBath said:

electric said:

whoever doc funkeneberry is needs to consider a career outside of journalism... seriously, there were at least 4 or 5 sentences i had to go back and re read to try to understand what the hell he's trying to say.

''Next up is "Superconductor" where is she talking bout needing one, and you have to feel that on her search, she is going to find one.''

um... ok?

''I'm taken back to the studio and then have several tracks from "Superconductor" are played for me.''

wow.

do people even scan through the article anymore when they're finished writing it? this wouldn't pass a 3rd grade english class. i feel much stupider after reading this.

anyhoo, by the 1st quote from the mysterious 'friend' you're like, 'i wonder who that could be?'

Yes, I totally agree.

Plus, this guy's presence is peculiar in general. Of all writers in the world, why was THIS person chosen to be "The NPG's" so-called blogger? What is this connection between Prince and a large, fanatical Caucasian man who's not a musician? Bad writing or not, if the author was some wack woman, I wouldn't be as perplexed regarding the choice. But a dude? Unusual.

My guess is that he already had a decent amount of readers before Prince started to work with him and he doesn't seem to miss a chance to promote Prince for free.

AtenO said:

Sleeping with a man..and then b called a FRIEND...I'd B PISSED!!!

Welcome to the real world.

80spfantwp said:

RodeoSchro said:

Here's what I predict everyone who's posted on this thread so far will do:

Half of y'all will buy it.

Half of y'all will steal it.

Which half are you in?

I'd say thirds

i.e - third will but it, 3rd will steal it, third will listen to snippets before they pass judgement and give it a pass - neither stealing nor buying it - Tamar, Milk and Honey and anyone......

When you say give it a pass, do you mean as in passing on it. If so than that's which one I am.

Who WROTE that shit? That has to be some of the worst writing I've read in awhile.