XLR8R - PON DI WIRE

Published: August 13, 2008

Written by: Tomas Palermo

St. Lucia roots singer Taj Weekes drops his anticipated second album, Deidem, August 12 on Jatta. On the album, the gentled-voiced vocalist–who’s been compared to Bob Marley and Garnett Silk–expresses thoughts on climate change, the crisis in Darfur, and devotes an acoustic number to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Pon Di Wire Top Ten Reggae Tracks

1. Taj Weekes & Adowa “Dark Clouds” (Jatta)
2. Morgan Heritage & Busy Signal “Run Dem Weh” (Juke Boxx)
3. K-Salaam & Beatnik feat. Trey Songz & Buju Banton “Street Life” (VP)
4. Bugle “What Goes Around” (Daseca)
5. Junior Reid “Never Let You Go” (promo download)
6. Busy Signal “Unknown Number” (VP)
7. Tarrus Riley “Marcus Teaching” (Cannon)
8. Mavado “Money Changer” (Juke Boxx)
9. Camar “She Loves The Flava” (promo download)
10. Mr. Vegas “Mus Come A Road” (Irish & Chin)

Taj Weekes is featured by Dermot Hussey on his show "Riffin", who provides an overview of both Deidem and Hope & Doubt, with powerful commentary on the lyrics and messages in the songs, declaring that Taj is "raising the level of songwriting within the idiom of reggae music." LISTEN HERE! 

Dermot Hussey, Program Director of XM Satellite Radio, produces and presents the show “Riffin” five times a week as well as oversees programming for XM's reggae channel, "The Joint" XM 101.  He co-authored "Bob Marley: Reggae King of the World" and produced the Bob Marley interview on Marley's album TALKIN' BLUES. With over 30 years experience in the media, Dermot  Hussey was awarded a Musgrave Medal, a Jamaican award for services to media and music and most recently was inducted into the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Hall of Fame for his contribution to music.

March 2007 

Taj Weekes & Adowa perform Redemption Song at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York as part of the the program, Redemption Song: A Tribute to Bob Marley, Lyrical Poet.