Holland Bamboo, a 10-song compilation album released on Friday by Cocojamz Musik, hears that label’s boss embracing the sound she discovered in her youth.

Mary Nicole John, known as Coco, enlisted experienced and upcoming acts for the project. They recorded songs on the Holland Bamboo beat which is distinctly roots-reggae.

“My foundation in music is rooted in roots-reggae music. So it was only a matter of time before I released a One Drop riddim. I felt the need to bring a reggae juggling with a conscious, positive lyrics for upliftment,” she said.

Lutan Fyah is the most established of the artistes on the album. He contributes ‘Never Turn Up’ while fellow veteran Teflon does the hard-hitting ‘Mankind’.

Jah Malo with ‘Peace And Love’, Ghandi (‘Marijuana Love’) and Karbon (‘Hesitate’) are some of the other acts and songs on the Holland Bamboo which is Cocojamz Musik’s third solo ‘riddim’ project.

John, who is from Missouri, launched the label two years ago. Although it collaborated with Cymballic Productions on rhythm compilations, the dancehall-driven Loving Colors rhythm with artistes such as Maestro Don, was Cocojamz Musik’s first solo release in October 2021.

Other productions by the label have featured dancehall acts from Montego Bay including Kapella Don and Kempo. With Holland Bamboo, John went for a change in pace.

“Long time mi listen to Lutan, have a big respect for the artiste and his sound, so happy I could get him on this riddim. Along with all the artistes on the compilation who contributed to the production. Is a wide array artistes at different levels in their careers, but the fact is, the music is good,” said John who grew up on the message sounds of artistes like Bob Marley and Burning Spear.