Leaving a professional football career spanning fourteen years to pursue a creative calling in roots reggae might sound like a massive gamble, but Jah Decko makes the shift feel entirely natural and effortless. Based in the Netherlands after growing up in Suriname, he has spent more than twenty years grinding away behind the scenes. He has engineered tracks for fellow artists, built up his own independent label called Dredda Records, and dropped solid solo singles over the years. Now, his new studio project Love Who Loves You Back brings all that gathered experience right into the spotlight.
The lead single “Sen Her Come” highlights everything that makes this particular release stand out. Instead of relying on heavily digitized and plastic-sounding beats that clutter contemporary playlists, Decko anchors his songs in genuine live musicianship. Listeners can pick out the warmth of organic basslines, actual room acoustics, and steady riddims that give traditional roots reggae its authentic pulse.
I just love this album and what shines through most is the total lack of pretense across the tracklist. Decko weaves his unique Surinamese-European background into the bedrock of the genre, letting his personal history guide every vocal delivery. His voice carries a grounded, relaxed maturity earned through decades of practice. You must listen to all tracks and let us know what your favorite is.
Hearing a reggae record that prioritizes real instruments this intensely is genuinely refreshing. Track after track, crisp brass sections and live drum kits deliver a human warmth that keeps engagement high from start to finish. If you care about conscious music built with actual soul, this album deserves a spot in your weekly rotation.
Follow Jah Decko: Instagram – Spotify.
