Jalen Ngonda is a singer-songwriter who effortlessly touches hearts with his endearing lyrics about budding love and voice like caramel. He was born in the US, but flourished as a musician in Liverpool in the UK, where his nu-soul – created from styles such as jazz, funk, soul, blues and hip-hop – quickly found a wide audience, which seems to be growing continuously. Ngonda's music not only hovers between genres, but also between decades, because both the 1950s, 60s and 70s all seem to permeate his warm songs full of bright arrangements. He describes his work as “a mix of soul and R&B, between which I also try to fit Beach Boys and The Beatles”. That’s a good sign for what his long-awaited debut album will turn out like, which is scheduled for September on the prestigious Daptone Records. The performance of Ngonda, who has already opened for Laura Mvula, Martha Reeves and Lauryn Hill, promises to be a rapturous time travel trip that feels both surprising and familiar.
