Jah Decko – “Love Who Loves You Back”: A Roots Reggae Album Full of Love and Unity
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We humans sometimes have to be honest with ourselves and everyone around us and I think we can all agree that the world could do with some little love and pace here and there. It’s getting too chaotic, rising prices, endless bad news, people arguing about everything online, sometimes we all need that breather. Switch off, put your legs up and enjoy something that just lifts your mood and take you away from all the noise. That’s where reggae has always had a special place, it can make you move while giving you something to think about.
Netherlands-based, Suriname-born reggae artist Jah Decko, who traded his sports cleats for studio headphones and never looked back, has crafted a thirteen-track album titled “Love Who Loves You Back“, bringing real roots reggae back to the top. In an era where software programs build half the beats on the radio, Jah Decko locks in with live studio musicians to deliver an authentic, breathing groove with positive thinking and a strong sense of cultural identity. In here he puts that experience into a collection built around love, gratitude, unity and consciousness. Something stands out about this album, and that’s about how the album has respect for traditional reggae values. His Surinamese background and life in the Netherlands also give the project its own perspective, while the Rastafari influence runs through its themes.
Welcoming listeners to heavy roots reggae with deep bass tones rolling under crisp rimshots, is the track “Fyah Pon“. I love how the horn section blares with urgency, whilst calling out negativity and injustice. Often a time we overlook these things, but can’t we love one another? Why must we discriminate? Why must we make each other feel less of themselves, and make them feel as though they ain’t even humans? It’s crazy but may fire burn all them people who bring negativity and bad energy to us. Let love lead and
“Give Praises” to Jah. The second song takes things a bit slow, asking us to show gratitude whenever, wherever and for how long nature has taken care of us. He says we gotta give praise to Jah, he’s amazing, upon everything we been through, the pain and struggle ghetto youth have been through, Jah didn’t let them die of hunger, so we praise him for his protection, also hinting that there’s a divine being out there. I love those clean skank guitars rhythmically chopping through the mix, supported by a warm Hammond organ line. It feels like a sunny Sunday morning confession built on pure positivity.
On “Go Back a Africa“, this track digs straight into traditional Rastafari themes and it’s lovely, man those flutes, steady heavy one-drop drums, pianos and guitars are just nuts. It’s a track that urges us to sometimes go back to our roots, visit our ancestral home lands, enjoy the culture and never forget there’s a home somewhere waiting for us. I love how the arrangement stays grounded with thick, natural bass lines. It really gets you in the rastafari mood.
After it all we can “Take It Easy“, a track that many people of you will love. Life can be crazy, we get it, but when it happens can you take it easy? Take a deep breath, and go again? In it natural element, it’s a romantic sensual track that asks your lover to take it easy with you. You don’t want them all over you, you don’t want their smell all over you, I mean who would want wanna enjoy that sweet person around them? But sometimes you gotta relax, do your thing baby, but don’t over do it. You want a reggae track for your intimate sessions? This is it! I love the smooth brass layers which swells underneath a relaxed vocal delivery. The way the percussion slides along at a gentle pace, creating this relaxed atmosphere that can take away all your stress.
“Irie Vibes” stays true to its name brings all that weekend energy! You get bright skank guitars, rolling basslines, and catchy vocal hooks weaving together seamlessly. It’s a track that’s meant to lift your mood, enjoy your weekend, party and let the DJ do their thing whilst you also do your thing. When it says “dj pull it up and come again”, you know you enjoying it and everyone’s enjoying their time! With “Hold on”, things get a bit emotional, it’s not easy but we can’t give up either. You got to hold on, stay strong and put your all into whatever you’re doing. It’s a song that encourages anyone having a tough week. The instrumentation steps up with driving percussive fills and full backing vocals that lift the chorus. It’s an enjoyable piece that feels spiritual.
Then we get to “Sen Her Come“, a track that serves as the primary lead single, this piece brings a smooth romantic touch to the record. The bassline swings with a infectious sway, while subtle percussion layers give the vocal space to deliver. It balances roots tradition with a broad, catchy appeal and I love it. Who doesn’t want a righteous woman? Who wouldn’t want a peaceful woman? We all will love to enjoy a lovely livelihood with a righteous virtuous woman for there’s too much temptation on the streets.
We step into a lighter, upbeat grooves on “Girls”. This song also highlights the artist playful side, introducing listeners to enjoy some black women and praising them as one of the most original ones, he doesn’t stop there, he goes to Asia, natives, Jamaican, and every woman, hinting on wanting them all. Admiring nature’s diversity in creativity and laying emphasis on how we all should be appreciative of each other and not look down on any race. I love how the rhythm section moves with a brisk pace, letting bright horn accents punch through between the vocal lines.
Who doesn’t what true love? We all wanna experience that love where you just can’t help it. Fall deeply and enjoy every bit of it, and this track “Gimme Tru Lovin” brings the energy up. With deep, dubby basslines swinging in, laying emphasis on the search for true love. If you have that one person who can’t get enough of you, appreciate them and love them back, that’s all we want and need. The sweet loving, the pampering and making you feel alive. It’s a lovely track, feels lively the room reverb linger on the guitar chops, creating a wide, atmospheric space for the vocal delivery.
We finally gets to the title track, “Love Who Loves You Back“. Wrapping up the core philosophy of the album with live horns, steady drumming, and using clear bass notes to build a solid foundation. It’s a straight forward track that says stop wasting energy on people who bring you down and cherish those who lift you up. No room for negative energy, no room to injustice, no room for restrictions. Urging us to love who love us, be with people who wants your growth and not those who are envious of our development. Everyone can’t be a winner, and we need each other to get to the top! The album closes with a dub mix of “Give Praises“, bringing what a journey it’s been to a beautiful end.
Such a crazy masterpiece, “Love Who Loves You Back” acts as a reminder that human connection and gratitude still matter in our world today and we can’t ignore the value of everyone in society. Jah Decko combines his Surinamese heritage with European reggae culture to share messages of unity, respect, and mutual support on this album, whilst giving us some romantic tunes as well. It’s beautiful blend and I say go stream “Love Who Loves You Back“, enjoy it and make sure to love someone genuinely!
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