Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Nina Simone, and Marvin Gaye –  what do they all have in common? They were all transformative Soul artists of their era who served as inspiration to a young Jalen Ngonda. 

Soul music is a subgenre of R&B (Rhythm and Blues) with a bit more orchestration. It is usually regarded as a type of blues music due to its origins in African American Gospel music. During his time in Washington DC, Jalen Ngonda grew up listening to ’ 60s Soul classics like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and Mary Wells, who later heavily influenced his music.

Currently an artist based in Liverpool, Jalen Ngonda has been making waves in the Soul community. Bringing new interest to both old and new listeners, Ngonda is becoming one of the many new artists who are introducing Soul to a whole new audience. Jalen began his career by creating videos that highlighted his musical talent. He was later signed by Daptone Records, a record label that represents a whole host of Soul revivalists. This year, Daptone released Jalen’s debut album, Come Around and Love Me. The album is reminiscent of Marvin Gaye’s wispy tone, featuring brief orchestral pieces like those of Otis Redding and The Temptations.

While Jalen’s album has received praise, one common criticism is that it closely resembles its source material and contributes nothing new to the genre of Soul. This may be true, but unlike many other genres, Soul artists aren’t often required to introduce something revolutionary.

Soul music evokes an unpolished emotional sound, mainly because artists often sing about love. In an interview with NPR’s Scott Simon, Jalen said, “Not all of us have money and riches, and not all of us have significant problems, but we all have love, and I think that’s why it’s so easy to write a love song.” Soul music often speaks about love in a timeless sense, making the sound resonate with listeners. 

Come Around and Love Me received high praise from audiences all over the world for bringing Soul to the forefront with its catchy rhythm and universal themes. Jalen is currently on his World Tour, performing in the US, Canada, and various cities across Europe, including Glasgow, London, Rotterdam, and Paris. 

Come Around and Love Me only seems to mark the beginning of Jalen’s journey. With several other remarkable tracks and singles behind him, his future is promising as a Soul revivalist.