So if you’re a return follower to JOVM, you might remember a post from a few weeks ago about the Cameroonian Dutch singer/songwriter Ntjam Roise. Born in Cameroon, Roise spent the formative years of her life in a small village – until her family relocated to The Netherlands when she was nine. 

Currently based in Rotterdam, Rosie Ntjam Rosie received quite a bit of attention across Holland as a fashionista and style icon, and musically for a sound that employs elements of pop, jazz, soul, folk, gospel and world music. Her third full-length effort, The Back of Beyond was released through Rosie’s own label, Gentle Gaze to commercial success and critical praise, as the album reflected the singer/songwriter’s creative growth. Although her background initially was in jazz, soul and pop, she had learned how to play guitar and write songs from (and with) the guitar. And perhaps unsurprisingly, that effort along with her previous efforts had drawn comparisons to the likes of India.Arie, Patrice Rushen, Beyonce and others among European bloggers and fans.

“Dear to Me” the latest single off the Cameroonian-Dutch singer/songwriter’s soon to be released fourth effort, The One is breezy and soulful bit of contemporary pop that owes a debt to the likes of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and a few old schoolers such as Patrice Rushen and Evelyn “Champagne” King.  Much like the album’s previous single, “Thinking About You,” the song is a sincere and sweet love song – sweet and sincere in a way that most contemporary love songs aren’t and can’t be; it’s not terribly surprising to know that the material on The One was written around the time Rosie got married. And both songs manage to evoke the sweet, honeymoon phase that’s common in every relationship.