Track of the Day: From Joyo Velarde's Quannum Debut

Soulful singer Joyo Velarde has long been part of the Quannum family, lending her honeyed delivery to top names on the local label's roster, including music by husband Lyrics Born (she's given co-writing and performing credit for over half the material on LB's classic 2004 album Later That Day, for example). But with yesterday's release of her full-length debut, Love and Understanding, Velarde is stepping out into her own spotlight, with positive jams on the R&B tip.

Check out the single "Certain Special Way," a little post-Valentine's Day card to her man, sweetly celebrating a lover who "brings out the best in me." Awww. And it's true: Lyrics Born returned Velarde's favor by helping out on her record, along with co-producers Jake One, RJD2, Tommy Guerrero, and Crown City Rockers' Headnodic. 

Velarde's CD release show--this Thursday at Yoshi's--promises to pack the house with Quannum talent. The singer will give Love and Understanding a live spin at a party co-hosted by her hubby and Trackademicks, with DJ D Sharp on the turntables.