His last album, “Beet van de liefde” won him an Edison, the equivalent of our MIAs.
The jury said: ‘In unusually beautiful, sensuous lines, you can feel Roeka’s turbulence and unrest as you pass through all the stages of love. Both lyrically and musically, this is a high point in his oeuvre. What stands out in his new programme, “Zachtaardig vergooid”, is his social engagement and the ever-intensifying reminiscence’.

On his brand-new album “Zachtaardig vergooid” Roeka sketches a tale of love and turmoil, joie de vivre and longing, against a background shot through with the zeitgeist and entangled with the past. Singing from the toes, speaking from the heart; that is Alex Roeka. And all this with that familiar voice of his: raw, weathered, sometimes hushed or elated, but always incomparably his own. His lyrics are poetic, sharp and sincere. Once again, he is accompanied by his musical accomplices, who distinguish themselves in virtuoso melodies and in restrained subtlety. Alex Roeka moves, excites, surprises and amazes and never fails to charm an audience with his nimble self-mockery and humour with a sense of perspective.
This album was produced by Frans Hagenaars. David Poltrock handled the musical direction and arrangements and Mauro played on a couple of songs.
‘From subdued to exuberant, from chanson to sturdy rock, from Brel to Waits. Alex Roeka is a spirited wordsmith and impassioned admirer.' Oor music magazine
‘His language is unprecedentedly evocative; by some distance, Roeka is the most poetic of all singers in the Dutch language.’ De Stentor

Alex Roeka: vocals & guitar
Jaco Benckhuijsen: piano, Wurlitzer & organ
Mischa Kool: double bass & electric bass
Rowin Tettero: drums
Peter van Os: accordion & trombone