Review: Jalen Ngonda and Brooke Combe at O2 Academy Leeds
Jalen Ngonda is winning the hearts of fans whilst touring his most recent album ‘Doctrine of Love’ throughout Europe and the US.
His Leeds show was no different, with audience members from every age and demographic piling into the O2 to catch a glimpse of the soon-to-be superstar.
Some had heard his music online or in films and some love hearing the influence of some of their all time favourites - Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye.
Whatever bought them out, it was clear every single person in the venue had one thing in common, though - the need to hear that infectious voice in person, which sounds just as good as on the records.
Before Ngonda came out Brooke Combe took to the stage, a Scottish singer songwriter with a similarly soulful style.
Combe has the type of voice that makes you rub your eyes to see if the person who was just making jokes about how tough the music industry is in that thick Scottish accent, could be the same one singing with the such a powerful, soulful, addicting voice.
Combe stood with just a guitar to her left, giving all the space needed for her vocals to shine. It was a set that everybody wished would have carried on for a little while longer.
Jalen oozed confidence and style, whilst captivating the room with his distinctive vocal range that naturally sits in a higher register. It’s an instrument in itself, accompanied by a band full of impassioned backing singers and talented musicians alike.
The show felt like being transported back to the golden age of the genre. Hits like ‘Burning Temptation’ and ‘If You Don’t Want My Love’ were sung back like anthems.
Ngonda seems to be spearheading somewhat of a revival of late 60s and early 70s soul.
Bands like Three Sacred Souls, Leon Bridges etc. are following suit with modern audiences seemingly loving the nostalgia, easy listening and smooth sounds of the beloved genre.
Elements like powerful vocal abilities, romantic lyrics and silky melody’s have become a constant in the style; while Ngonda blends these with a sprinkle of modern lyrics and clean production.
He feeds the new desire from audiences today to gravitate towards vintage, ‘good ol’ days’ art & media, in an increasingly technical, modern world.
The demand is undoubtedly there for the genre and Ngonda is one of the best in class.