For the first time in 10 years Atlanta vocalists Anthony David and Algebra Blessett come together for an emotionally charged performance of the 1988 BeBe and CeCe Winans #1 Gospel and R&B hit “Heaven”, and their acoustic version of the song – which has received praise from BeBe Winans himself – has now become a Billboard Top 20 Gospel hit, with airplay on more than 100 Gospel and Adult R&B radio stations.
The song opens this first ever collection of many of Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Anthony’s finest songs, which also includes “4Evermore”, a Top 20 Billboard R&B hit with Algebra from 2011, and his very first Billboard R&B hit, “Words”, on which he is joined by India Arie. Following the success of that single he received warm acclaim from Michelle Obama and President Obama, who both said he was one of their favorite artists.
Anthony and Algebra have such a unique vocal chemistry together and it is very evident on “Need You Now”, their achingly soulful rendition of the Grammy Award-winning Lady Antebellum song, a huge hit in the US and around the world in 2010 and the #1 best-selling country song of all time in the US.
Other guest vocal performances come from Millie Jackson’s daughter Keisha on the beautiful “Lady”, Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage and Demetria McKinney on the irresistible reggae tune “Givin’ It Up” and Dutch singer/actress/TV and radio presenter Giovanca on “The Further We Go”. Anthony’s remake of Tears For Fears’ “Rule The World” is a unique family collaboration, on which he is joined by his cousin, Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman, and another UK song he has always loved is the Level 42 classic “Something About You”.
Artists like Jalen Ngonda come around once in a lifetime, so it is our privilege and distinct pleasure to announce the release of his debut album Come Around and Love Me.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing Jalen perform live knows that he is one of the most captivating performers on today’s soul scene. His voice, equal parts raw feeling and elegance, exudes confidence and charm – disarming packed rooms of rowdy concert goers, leaving them silent as they hold fast to every syllable sung.
Now it’s your turn to come around and love one of the finest soul albums of the decade.
Plans for the album were struck just months before the COVID 19 pandemic shut the world down. Notwithstanding, Jalen eventually made it to Hive Mind Studios in Brooklyn, NY where he began writing and recording with the help of producer/arrangers Mike Buckley and Vincent Chiarito (both members of Charles Bradley’s Extraordinaires) and a crack team of a-list musicians from the Daptone family. The team skillfully blends heavy arrangements and introspective lyrics with motown sophistication, leaving the listener in a blissful wash of wonderment.
Jalen has been writing songs since he was 14, and his compositions are also very much of these times. He explains, “I love music from the 20th century— I listen to it all the time, but Iʼm in this world and the 21st century. …to a stranger, Iʼd describe my music as modern soul and R&B, while trying to fit in the Beach Boys and the Beatles somewhere in between.” Come Around and Love Me reveals how he creates a classic approach that is rooted in the sounds of revered pioneers, without falling into imitation – leaving no doubt that Jalen will continue to shine within the superlative, timeless musical tradition that is Daptoneʼs hallmark.
~ First Experience Records
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