Jalen Ngonda - Doctrine Of Love
The definition of an infectious voice. Jalen Ngonda picks up where he left off with a soaring sophomore album that further cements him as one of the most captivating artists in soul today, and a staple Rough Trade staff favourite.
Jalen Ngonda - Doctrine of Love
Rough Trade Exclusive opaque white, red and blue tri-colour vinyl + bonus CD. Limited to 2000 copies.
Who
Raised on Stax and Motown 7"s, Maryland-born, London-based by way of Liverpool, artist Jalen Ngonda channels raw, gospel-rooted emotion, vocals both pure and piercing, which stay with you long after listening. The Daptone Records-signed artist continues to build meteoric momentum following his critically acclaimed debut Come Around and Love Me released in 2023. A former student of Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, now Grammy-nominated singer, Jalen is one of the most impressive live performers we have seen grace our Rough Trade stages, as we have been lucky enough to host him for two sold-out album release shows celebrating Doctrine of Love.
What
Expanding his melting pot of vintage soul to include hallmarks of 1950s New Orleans R&B, 1960s-style Detroit/Chicago soul and gospel, Doctrine of Love is steered by a voice that’s both tender and commanding, bolstered by gospel-charged call-and-response backing vocals throughout the album. These songs serve as sermons, a track-by-track guide to all of love's emotions, human nature's inclinations and instincts. Reviving the swinging, foot-tapping energy of 1960s and 1970s Motown, northern soul, and rhythm and blues, this album leaves you nothing short of uplifted even after leaning into its yearning ballads.
With
For fans of: Burt Bacharach, Durand Jones, Olivia Dean or Curtis Mayfield.
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