The 15-song set has collaborations with Jah Cure, Capleton, Anthony B, Louie Culture, Christopher Martin, Popcaan, Kumar and Dre Island. It was released six years after ‘Scripts And Scrolls’, his debut album.

“Wi pleased with the response I’ve been getting so far; positive vibes, positive energy. I’ve been working on dis album for the past four years so it’s like a whole new journey,” he said.

Describing ‘Jah Love Surround Me’ as “a breath of fresh air”, Zamunda says the roots-reggae collection hit the market as dancehall music continued to dominate airwaves in Jamaica and its Diaspora.

He believes fans were relieved to hear an album strong on conscious songs like ‘Jah Over Evil’ and ‘He Save Me’ (done with Louie Culture), compared to the bawdy, often violent lyrics of dancehall acts.

Popcaan, one of that genre’s leading figures, is featured on two songs from ‘Jah Love Surround Me’. Those are ‘Lights In The Sky’ and ‘Jah Love Remix’ which also hears Dre Island sharing the mic.

His latest song, a cover of the Sonny and Cher classic ‘I Got You Babe’, is a duet with Macka Diamond, another flamboyant dancehall act. Zamunda said the suggestion to do another reggae version of that track (first done by UB40 and Chrissie Hynde in 1985) came from a friend.

“She said, ‘this song suits your voice’. I know Macka so I said, ‘let’s do something di people don’t really expect’,” Zamunda explained.

He has added reason to be excited, having recently established ties with Garfield Cowan of Natures Way Entertainment to advise him on creative and commercial matters.

Like Zamunda, the South Florida-based Cowan is from St. Ann parish in northeastern Jamaica. He has had considerable success as a producer with artistes including Jah Cure and Wayne Wonder.