Critic's Pick: Everyone say 'Allo'

photo Andy Allo

IF YOU GOWhat: Andy Allo.When: 7 p.m. tonightWhere: Bessie Smith Hall, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd.Admission: Tickets are $7 with a Riverbend wristband or in advance, and $10 at the gate without a pin/wristband.

She dresses like Prince and plays a little guitar as well. Her band sounds like Tower of Power meets Parliament and, for her appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," she enlisted the services of a couple of guys named Trombone Shorty and Maceo Parker.

I doubt those two, who also appear on her 2012 CD, "Superconductor," will be on stage tonight for Andy Allo's set, but no matter. She and the band can handle it, so come ready to dance.

Allo, who's also a model and actress, was born in the African nation of Cameroon and made her solo debut in 2009 with the release of "UnFresh," which featured rapper Blu. In addition to her killer performance on "Kimmel," you might have seen her and her ferocious 'fro on BET's "The Game" or the pop-culture news program "Attack of the Show."

If she reminds you of Prince, it's not by accident. The Paisley One liked her talents enough to make her a member of The New Power Generation, and the two wrote together while on tour. They co-wrote the title track to "Superconductor" as well as "The Calm" and " Long Gone."

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