ANDY ALLO - SUPERCONDUCTOR

Andy Allo is an artist Prince befriended and absorbed into his NPG label.  She has another CD called "Unfresh" but I haven't heard it.  I only ordered this disc because Prince writes on it.  Well and because it's on NPG records.

So let's be honest right off the bat...  I was expecting something similiar to Bria Valente or some of his other protegee releases.  He writes material, sometimes great stuff, sometimes mediocre for him...  And you get some semi-talented artist performing the music.  Prince often chooses his collaborators based on emotional connection rather than talent.  So...  I generally approach his collaborations expecting something less than worthy of his talents.

"Superconductor", it turns out, is one of the rare gems in his collaborative efforts.  Allo's writing style compliments Prince's arrangement and musical taste in such an organic way, the melodies just flow like rainbows on a rainy day from the speakers.  It washes over you in a soothing combination of emotion and sound.  You're absorbed rather than simply experience the music.

Of the 9 tracks, Prince gets credit for 3.  But they're not the only strong songs on the disc.  And to some degree not even the most interesting.  The opening track, 'Superconductor' is listed as a Prince composition and it's got some interesting similarities to music composed around the "Lovesexy" time period.  It's got a lot of scale piano bits and some vocal distortion happening in the mix.  It's probably the best song on the disc.  I love it!

The second track is written by Allo, but seems to be played by the entire New Power Generation live band.  It's a funky little workout putting Allo quite on par with most great funk artists.  It's a punctuated little number with some synth sounds harkening all the way back to Prince's "For You" album.  The next two numbers are also Prince compositions and 'Long Gone' starts off sounding very much like those early Prince numbers he played on acoustic guitar.  This record really sounds like a tribute to 70s and 80s Prince so far.  'The Calm' moves us in a different direction entirely.  About the only thing it has in common with 'Long Gone' is the fact both songs are ballads.  'The Calm' is aptly named as it washes over you like a gentle breeze, flowing through fresh laundered clothes hanging outside on a line to dry.  They billow and flutter in the air and will soothe you like airy sunshine!

'Yellow Gold' is an absolute show stopper and you can hear Prince in the arrangement, but it's another track that just stops you in your tracks and leaves you thinking, "Damn!"  'Nothing More' is a track I find simply indescribable.  I almost cry when I hear it because this is what I want in my life.  So desperately.  I want love like this.  The song reminds me of 'The Love We Make' which is a Prince track from "Emancipation".

Next up is 'If I Was King' and this is probably my least favorite track on the whole disc.  It's ok, but it's also such a hookey idea it doesn't fit in with the intensity of the other material.  There's the titilation of a lesbian affair hinted at, but it's hardley worth getting excited about.  It's actually kinda overplayed.  It's followed by 'Story Of You & I' which is an amazing ballad.  This song more than any other, showcases the sweetness of Allo's voice and her own style.  She's got a somewhat lilting tone and she uses it effectively to add anticipation to her songs.  This song completely demonstrates these talents and promises more from this vital artist.

The disc ends with 'When Stars Collide' and it's another track that seems to harken back to early Prince music rather than playing out in the here and now.  But it's got a great groove and is an extremely satisfying number!  The vocal arrangement alone makes this song worth hearing.  You can't miss with this track.  In fact, I think it would make an excellent single!  Consider it!

My final words: WITHOUT A DOUBT, WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY!  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

ANDY ALLO - SUPERCONDUCTOR

01. Superconductor

02. People Pleaser

03. Long Gone

04. The Calm

05. Yellow Gold

06. Nothing More

07. If I Was King

08. Story Of You & I

09. When Stars Collide