Jalen Ngonda — Doctrine of Love
Doctrine of Love · 2026
Label: Daptone Records · Genre: Soul / Modern Soul · Country: USA · From: London, North America
Jalen Ngonda was born in Wheaton, Maryland, studied in Liverpool, and made London home. His debut album Come Around and Love Me (2023) arrived on Daptone Records and was described by Elton John as proof its maker ‘is going to be a huge star.’ For his sophomore album he moves with wider reach: warm horn charts, gospel-tinged backing harmonies, and swing hits rooted in classic 60s and 70s studio craft. The songwriting is direct and elegant in the Brill Building tradition — short-form Motown moods with crisp chord movement. Ngonda’s falsetto sits high and clear in the mix, close to vintage pop structure rather than modern R&B stretch-outs. A record that sounds like it was always there, waiting to be found.
Did you know: Ngonda was practising classical violin as a child before switching to vocals. When Elton John saw him perform at the Nice Jazz Festival he was so moved that he went backstage to introduce himself and reportedly told his team: ‘find me everything this man has done.’
Listen / buy: Bandcamp · Juno · Spotify · YouTube
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