Jalen Ngonda's "All About Me" is a standout track that sees the soulful singer-supreme venture into a vibrant lovers' rock reggae sound, a compelling departure from his typical soul stylings.
Genre Shift: The song is a collaboration with producer/veteran keyboardist Victor Axelrod (also known as Ticklah), who is a maestro of New York reggae. Axelrod was inspired to work with Ngonda in this style after noticing similarities between Jalen's voice and that of reggae artist Bitty McLean.
The Scientist's Touch: The version mentioned in your query is a Dub Mix (often appearing on the B-side of the 45 vinyl release, sometimes referred to as the "Version") Hopeton Brown, better known as The Scientist. The Scientist is an iconic figure in dub /Reggae music, famous for his pioneering work in the 70s and 80s, which makes his involvement here a significant nod to classic reggae mixing.
Production & Lyrics: Produced by Victor Axelrod, the track features Ngonda's stellar vocal performance over a party-forward, sweet reggae beat. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of an arrogant lover.
Release: The single was released on Daptone Records and has been highly praised for its seamless blend of soul and reggae, showcasing Ngonda's vocal versatility.
It's a fantastic example of a modern track bridging the soulful power of Daptone's roster with the deep roots and artistry of classic Jamaican music, especially with The Scientist adding his masterful dub dimension.