SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JALEN NGONDA – DOCTRINE OF LOVE

JALEN NGONDA
DOCTRINE OF LOVE
DAPTONE RECORDS

Jalen Ngonda burst on the scene in 2023 with his debut album, Come Around And Love Me, and justifiably earned critical acclaim for his own style of soul music that owes a great deal of debt to Motown and Stax. Doctrine Of Love is his long awaited second album. Sophomore albums are always tricky. There are a great deal of expectations and a bigger audience waiting. Not only did he meet these expectations, he exceeded them. Doctrine Of Love is a brilliant album full of moving and exciting soul music.

This music took me back to another time when music had a different sound and structure. Ngonda, who is American but based in England, taps into the sound of 50 years ago, and he does it expertly. The production, arrangements and vocals are stunning and perfect. The harmonies on “Mr. Train Conductor” in combination with the fantastic rhythm section is just one example. I swear I was in Whitby, ON, age 12, listening to 1050 CHUM and digging the sound. This is soul music at its finest. Then, we moved to Detroit for the Motown infused “Burning Temptation,” which just soars.

While Ngonda is well aware of musical history, this is not just a retro retread of past times. He makes the music his own, and he has his own distinct voice. He tackles ballads with ease (the incredible and smooth “Love Is Gone”), R&B (the title track “Doctorine of Love”), rock (“Hannah What’s The Matter”) or even doo-wop style soul (“Good Good Love”). The album is full of fantastic songs that burst out of the speaker.

Jalen Ngonda had a lot to live up to with his second album, and he delivered. Doctrine of Love is a joy to listen to. Ngonda has created a collection of songs that make you move your feet and your soul. Doctrine of Love is the type of album that has one wanting to flip it over and start again. With each spin, one gleams more and hears the subtle work and layers of musical techniques strewn throughout the album. Doctrine of Love is a treasure trove of sound.

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