Y'akoto
Seen & Heard at Badehaus Szimpla in Berlin, Germany
Afro-German singer/songwriter Y'akoto is such a unique, brightly shining star on the world/soul scene in Europe. The advantage of going to see an artist like her live is not only do you get to experience her expressive vocals but also her captivating abilities as a performer and dancer. Her Paris-based band laid right into the groove making me feel at times like I was back in Washington, D.C. at the Bohemian Caverns' Wednesday Verses Open Mic. Although her music is beautifully arranged, to me, the lyrics take the front seat. The first line to one of the songs from the show began, "My old man pushed me down a valley...". If that doesn't get your attention nothing will. Her latest project, Moody Blues -- fusing soul, world music and blues -- has been featured in all of the major European publications, including Vogue, and one day while I was on the subway in Berlin, an article about it even flashed across the TV monitors. My favorite tune from her new album is the song "Come Down to the River." I could hear this song during a really deep, emotional scene in Grey's Anatomy. Here's the music video her latest single "Tobo Darling," and get to know her better via her website and Facebook.
