Isn't it strange no one noticed the huge similarities between the Dutch "levenslied" and lovers rock before? Jah6 (pronounced: jahzes) now fills that gap with brio. The band's name is a nod to the king of the genre, Andre Hazes, and it was also his 'Zij Gelooft In Mij' ("she believes in me") that immediately put Jah6 on the Dutch music map. One of the vocalists of Jah6 will be no unknown to true reggae connoisseurs, as Pieter Both is also the front man of Beef. The real revelation, however, is Herman Havertong, a man with an amazing voice, resembling that of Andre Hazes. On their self-titled debut EP Jah6 doesn't stick to the repertoire of Andre Hazes, but also tackles songs by Johnny Jordaan ('Levenslang') and Corry Konings ('Mooi Was Die Tijd'). For 'Diep In Mijn Hart' Jah6 even called on Zuco 103's Lilian Vieira (be sure to check the accompanying clip recorded in an old people's home).

Also on the Top-Notch Music label we found 'Tuintje In Mijn Hart' ("a small garden in my heart") by Damaru. This singer from Paramaribo serves up lovers rock sung in a delicious Surinamese Dutch accent or Sranantongo, a dash of hip-hop and r&b ('Zeg Nooit Nooit', 'Zo Zit Het Niet') and of course some kaseko ('Een Pot Met Bonen (Oh Marie)', a tribute to the king of the genre Lieve Hugo). Title track 'Mi Rowsu/Tuintje In Mijn Hart' (featuring Jan Smit) is already a small radio hit, with 'Suriname' he comes close to creating a new Surinamese anthem, the obligatory but successful Doe Maar cover ('Een Nacht Alleen') cannot be absent from the track list and the rest of the album isn't bad either. The hottest thing to come out of Surinam since Quintis Ristie!