Her first self-titled album sees Ntjam Rosie release her ninth studio album that is rooted in soul but crosses musical boundaries with ease and to very good effect. This is not a jazz album but there are jazz colours in play; there are rhythms a plenty to enjoy – just as there are grooves and African influences all played and sung from a palette of experiences that many will be able to relate to.
Ntjam Rosie, born on March 18, 1983, in Cameroon, is a singer and songwriter who has earned her place in the international music and theater world. She grew up in the Netherlands, blending her West African roots with Western musical styles such as jazz, soul, pop, and R&B. Her creative versatility and unmistakable sound have made her one of the most remarkable artists in the Netherlands.
Ntjam Rosie’s music is a celebration of her dual identity: African roots and European influences. Her ability to transcend genres and tell her stories with integrity and passion makes her an inspiration to a wide audience.
Often praised for the intimate and powerful way she connects with her audience, Ntjam Rosie continues to prove, through her performances and albums, that she cannot be confined to a single category.
ntjamrosie.com
In Your Arms opens with Ntjam’s clear vocal quality on full display accompanied by simple guitar backing and then the Ragazze Quartet add a delightful string soundtrack without taking anything away from the vocals. This is a good opening number, a smooth introduction to the album. Better is a song about personal growth and emotional clarity with great horn and percussion lines. This number is different in style to the opener and gives an indication as to how good Ntjam Rosie is across musical genres.
When I first receive an album to review I usually listen through while doing something else to hear if anything jumps out: Nelly’s Song jumped out. This number pops with life, energy and joy, a song about catching up and being overjoyed at doing so. The delight, buzz, and happiness of reunion are palpable and I smiled as the story was told. Mama follows on nicely with its theme of the passing on of wisdom from mother to daughter. Diana Dzhabbar’s alto sax stands out, but I also like the way that Emiel van Rijthoven uses the Hammond organ to give a soundscape for the other musicians play over – I also enjoyed the Reggae like styling that comes in at the tail end of the number.
Fefel Ôsôé (By Streams of Water) and Môs Ôse (Every Day) are the two on English language numbers on the album. The first is a lively tune full of terrific horn lines, driving percussion and bright sounding lyrics punctuated by brighter sounding guitar. Môs Ôse is a more reflective sounding piece with very good string backing from the Ragazze Quartet that contrast nicely with Ntjam Rosie on acoustic guitar.
Track 8, Interlude: Free sounds like the beginnings of something much bigger and I should like to hear this piece developed further. Donald Simeon sounds like he has so much more to say on his alto sax, which blended so well with the string section and Ntjam’s vocal soundings. Likewise, Lost In Translation too could so easily be expanded and allow the listener to hear more of the wonderful mix of woodwind and guitar style instruments.
SimplyJazzTalk is a blog intended to be about jazz music and the musicians that play it, or singers who sing it. However, every now and then an album comes my way that I believe warrants being heard by as wide an audience as possible : Ntjam Rosie is one of those albums, one from which a number of tracks could easily find there way on to the BBC Radio 3 programme ‘Round Midnight hosted by Soweto Kinch.
I think the music is well composed and delightful in its delivery. I also think that Ntjam Rosie is a gifted singer and songwriter who uses her vocal range to excellent effect and can take the listener on the most wonderful of journeys both lyrically and empathetically. There is as great array of instruments played across this album, and each is used with an intent and purpose that is a joy to listen to, and at no point overpowers the vocal talent of Ntjam Rosie.
Ntjam Rosie is released on the One-Tone Music label and will be available from 24th April, 2026.
Tracklist: 01 – In Your Arms; 02 – Better; 03 – Nelly’s Song; 04 – Mama; 05 Fefel Ôsôé; 06 – Whose I Am; 07 – A Phone Call Away; 08 – Interlude: Free; 09 – Môs Ôse (Every Day); 10 – Lost In Translation; 11 – Outro: Ntjam Rosie.
Musicians: Ntjam Rosie (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, cavaquinho, synth), Hassan Ait Moumad (electric guitar, yamaha DX7, cavaquinho), Fontanez (synth, electric guitar, small percussion, triangle), Emiel van Rijthoven (Fender Rhodes, synths, wurlitzer, keys, hammond organ, clavinet D6), Rik van der Ouw (electric bass, U-bass), Koko Lawson (percussion, African & Indian flute), Tuur Moens (drums), Floris Windey (flugelhorn, trumpet), Donald Simeon (alto & tenor sax, flute), Diana Dzhabbar (alto sax, flute), Yoran Vroom (drums), Willem van der Krabben (drums) Tim Eijmaal (electric guitar, harpsichord, synth), Ragazze Quartet (strings).
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