Joyo Velarde’s “Love & Understanding,” tour dates

After nearly two decades collaborating on various Quannum projects, specifically husband Lyrics Born’s two solo albums,  Joyo Velarde gets her solo shot. Set for release on February 16 via Quannum/Red Distribution, Love & Understanding features production from RJD2, Tommy Guerrero, Headnodic, Jumbo the Garbageman and, of course, LB.

Miss Velarde will perform a few spot dates in the Midwest this month with Lyrics Born. Since the latter is also planning an album release later this spring (currently titled As U Were), expect to see the couple on the road throughout much of 2010.

For now, though, here’s the bio:

Joyo was born in Manila but later relocated to the Bay Area, where she is known as the female voice behind the seminal independent label Quannum.

Think Vanessa Williams meets Amel Larrieux (Groove Theory). Joyo blends soul and hip hop stylishly with her stunning vocal range at the forefront. Pulling from Minnie Riperton, Chaka Khan and Tina Marie as well as contemporary R&B singers like Alicia Keys, Solange, Angie Stone and Raheem DeVaughn, Joyo has truly mastered her craft. On “You Got Me (In the Mood)” Joyo reminds you of a female version of Marvin Gaye, while on “Lower Deck” she is truly reminiscent of Denise Williams on her hit song “Silly.” Joyo’s classical study with an opera company in Rome resonates throughout the album, particularly the track “On And On.”

The “First Lady of Quannum,” Joyo sang background vocals and has appeared on over 20 albums, including those of Blackalicious and also, now-husband, Tom “Lyrics Born” Shimura (both co-founders of Quannum), in addition to constant touring and television appearances with Lyrics Born. She also performed and co-wrote 10 songs on Lyrics Born’s classic Later That Day, including the hit single “Callin’ Out” that was featured on commercials for Diet Coke and Motorola. In addition to music, Joyo is also a fashion innovator. She’s received several endorsements, has performed at events for Puma, Evisu, Adidas, to name a few, and has been named one of the Bay Area’s trendsetters and style-makers to watch by 7×7 Magazine.

Here’s the track listing:

• 1. “Mama’s Got A Brand New Swag”
• 2. “Build This World”
• 3. “Certain Special Way”
• 4. “Strong Possibility”
• 5. “Ticket To Love”
• 6. “With Feeling”
• 7. “The Way We Are”
• 8. “You Got Me (In The Mood)”
• 9. “Lower Deck”
• 10. “Feels Right”
• 11. “Take You Home”
• 12. “On And On”

Here are the tour dates:

• 2/04: Star Bar, Park City, UT
• 2/05: State Room, Salt Lake City, UT
• 2/06: Whiskey Jacques, Ketchum, ID
• 2/09: Neurolux, Boise, ID
• 2/11: The Boulevard, Spokane, WA
• 2/12: The Badlander, Missoula, MT
• 2/13: Zebra Cocktail Lounge, Bozeman, MT

(all dates) w/Lyrics Born, DJ Icewater