“Music is no longer made like before.” It is not difficult to hear this phrase among the most nostalgic music lovers. It’s clear they don’t know Jalen Ngonda. The 30-year-old composer and singer has one of the most magnetic and interesting voices of this century and the only thing that comes out of it are great contemporary soul songs. A combination that cannot disappoint.
Recreating the sounds of the past is a delicate thing, usually without a middle ground. Thus we have very bad examples, like Greta Van Fleet, and very good ones, like The Lemon Twigs. Ngonda belongs to the latter group, demonstrating a natural talent for classic R&B, soul and funk, to which he can’t help but add his personal touch. Elton John already noticed him last year, describing him as “pure SOUL” and predicting a bright future for him.
The first names that come to mind when you hear ‘If You Don’t Want My Love’, the song that gave him his first viral hit, are Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson or even Marvin Gaye. On the other hand, despite being one of the least played songs on the album ‘Come Around and Love Me’, there is also no lack of magic in ‘Lost’, a song that is asking to become a sample but that’s it.
Her androgynous voice also exudes emotion in her latest single, ‘Anyone In Love’. From his independent label, Daptone Records, they have assured that Ngonda is ready to release his next album. From here we wait for you with open arms.