Chris Kasper is haunted by the ghost of Nick Drake. The Philadelphia-based singer and songwriter’s baroscopic ruminations echo the work of the late English guitarist, but Jasper isn’t afraid of ghosts — he is his own man. He uses Drake’s acoustic introspections as a starting point for his J.J. Cale-paced compositions. His new album, “Bagabones,” is a slow simmer of carefully crafted, soul-folk workouts. Mastered by Philly soul producer Jim Salamone, tunes such as the Tom Waits-like “Belly” and the naked honesty of “Blessed Little Secrets” draw in the listener with a salient sense of purpose. Kasper doesn’t plead for attention. He plays as if he already has it. Kasper brings his understated reveries to Globehopper Coffee House and Lounge on Friday, Jan. 17. Richmond’s Jonathan Vassar and Josh Small open. The show begins at 6 p.m. Free. globehoppercoffee.com.