Jah Decko – Love Who Loves You Back

Decko, whose real name is Darl Douglas, played an important role in getting Joggo, the younger brother of Dutch football star Clarence Seedorf, started in reggae. Their work resulted in Modern Rockers Vol. 1, Joggo’s debut album. Decko also produced ZiGGi Recado’s Liberation 2.0 and Miriam Simone’s Mount Zion. That’s a solid production résumé, but this time the focus is firmly on his own voice and songwriting.

Born in Paramaribo, Suriname, and raised in Amsterdam, Douglas was scouted by Ajax at just 11 years old. He went on to spend around 14 years as a professional footballer before turning his attention to music. In 2003, he formed Dreddayouthz, singing in Surinamese over roots reggae riddims. With Love Who Loves You Back, he takes a different approach, using English throughout in a bid to connect with a broader international audience.

The album is built on live instrumentation rather than slick studio tricks. Decko plays drums, bass and percussion, with his cousin Marvin Nijhove on keyboards. Multi-instrumentalist Jacques Nagelhout, bassist Elmor and trombonist Jonathan provide further musical support, while Veldhuis and van Klaveren handle backing vocals. The result is a firm, organic roots reggae sound that gives the songs a strong foundation.

Lyrically, Decko covers spirituality, love, relationships, Africa, positivity and the ups and downs of everyday life. These are familiar roots reggae subjects, so the real test is how the songs bring them to life. For the most part, the combination of solid musicianship and straightforward messages works well, without making the album feel like a collection of lectures.

The opening run sets the tone. Fyah Pon is one of the strongest tracks here, delivering a conscious message with real purpose. Give Praises follows with another sturdy roots cut, while Go Back To Africa brings a clear repatriation theme. It’s a convincing start, with Fyah Pon setting a high bar for the rest of the album.

Several previously released songs appear in the middle of the tracklist. Take It Easy is a lively herb tune that nods to reggae’s golden era without sounding stuck in the past. The changes in vocal style help keep it fresh. Irie Vibes delivers the positive energy its title promises, while Sen Her Come is one of the album’s most appealing moments. Decko sings about the search for a good, righteous woman, and the tune strikes a balance between a familiar love-song theme and the warmth of roots reggae.

Then there’s Hold On, a standout that deserves plenty of attention. Its beauty lies in the way the song draws you in without needing to overdo things. Two more love songs lead into the title track, which grows on you with each listen. It’s the kind of tune that might not reveal everything on the first spin but rewards a little patience.

The closing stretch delivers another highlight with Opposite Of Good. Decko sounds convincing on this powerful message tune, bringing the vocal tracks to a strong finish. The album then moves into dub territory with versions of Fyah Pon and Give Praises, produced by David “Jah David” Goldfine of Zion I Kings. They’re a welcome addition, extending the album’s rootsy atmosphere rather than simply repeating what we’ve already heard.

What stands out most is the consistency. Love Who Loves You Back doesn’t rely on big production tricks or radical musical detours. Instead, it builds on live instrumentation, familiar roots reggae themes and a set of well-crafted songs. Not every track hits as hard as Fyah Pon, Hold On or Opposite Of Good, but the overall quality remains high.

After years spent producing music for others, Jah Decko has delivered an album that gives us plenty of reason to pay attention to him as a vocalist and songwriter. It’s a strong addition to the Dutch roots reggae scene, and one that deserves a wider audience.

Irie Vibes