Jalen Ngonda – Come Around And Love Me

Here is another artist to watch out for: singer Jalen Ngonda, originally from Maryland in the US and who moved to Liverpool in 2014, has already had headline shows in London and Geneva and supported Lauryn Hill, Martha Reeves, and Laura Mvula. His voice both rich and tender, with a falsetto sound reminiscent of Russell Thompkins, Jr. from the Stylistics, also has this growl and rasp when needed. The music on his debut album “Come Around And Love Me”, to be released on September 8th on Daptone, is both classic soul and modern-day r&b. I really dig the title track which is a smooth and elegant soul swayer with echoes of Marvin Gaye in terms of production values. His voice really shines on the beautiful ballad “Please Show Me” which also boasts with some incredible backing vocals.

“Just Like You Used To” is one of those hypnotizing love ballads which become an instant classic. And the beauty of his voice really shines through on the midtempo shuffler “Give Me Another Day”, sounding like one of the best Chi-Lites tunes. A wonderful piece of shining soul. And the album closer “Rapture” is just that. An intense soul masterpiece. Full review will be posted closer to the release date. The album will be out on vinyl too of course. Jalen is on an extensive tour throughout the US in September and October, but you can also check him out on a few select European dates here:
7/8 Rotterdam – North Sea Jazz Festival
7/20 Nice – Jazz Festival
8/12 Chorzów – Park Slaski
8/13 Winterthur – Musikfestwochen Steinberggasse
11/7 London – Jazz Café
11/8 Rotterdam – Bird
11/9 Paris – Cafe de la Danse