_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Taj Weekes & Adowa present a brand new experience in "classic roots reggae for the conscious mind." With wry trenchant lyrics, a haunting dusky quiver in his voice and the knock-down sound of his band Adowa, Taj Weekes weaves a rare social consciousness with an unforgettable reggae groove.
Hailing from the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, the group’s founder, singer/songwriter Taj Weekes, has been noted for "raising the level of songwriting within the idiom of reggae music," by veteran reggae music journalist and XM Satellite Radio program director, Dermot Hussey.
In 2005, the band released their debut album, Hope & Doubt, to critical acclaim. Accepted by reggae, dancehall, world music and college audiences alike, the group toured extensively throughout the United States in 2006 and 2007, expanding their fan base and playing with reggae icons such as Gregory Issacs, Toots & the Maytals, Third World and Yellowman.
In 2008, Taj Weekes & Adowa released their much-anticipated second album, DEIDEM, to exceptional reviews. The album, in radio rotation worldwide was named by Billboard Magazine as one of "Six Essential Albums Heralding Roots Rock's Resurgence," and was shortlisted for the Grammy Awards. DEIDEM won the Best Reggae Album award at the Just Plain Folks Music Awards and Angry Language and Little Fire were nominated for Best Reggae Song.
Taj Weekes & Adowa launched their multi-city six-week Summer 2008 Tour at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in California and continued to impact audiences at festivals and venues across the country. The band hit the road again for their Summer 2009 Tour to promote their upcoming acoustic album, A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen, due out in 2010.
Weekes offers a call to action with his latest endeavor - a poetry book entitled Brown Lawns, which will be released at the end of the year by ZiltaMac Books, the publishing division of Jatta Entertainment. Poems are juxtaposed with sepia images of the artist... stark, contemplative and sometimes urgent yet always an unbreakable thread of hope.
Veteran journalist and XM Satellite Radio Program Director, Dermot Hussey, will provide a written introduction to the book, which features poems by Taj Weekes. The book will include a CD featuring poetry readings by Dermot Hussey, noted British journalist Vivien Goldman, WBAI radio news reporter Rebecca Myles as well as actor, author, radio host and reggae archivist, Roger Steffens. Acoustic guitar renditions of poems sung by Taj Weekes will be interspersed throughout. The audio book CD will feature the single Brown Lawns and will also be available for purchase as an Internet download.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Taj Weekes is an enigma… on the one hand deeply serious and intensely passionate about his worldviews and on the other hand a gentle and humble man with a quick and easy smile. Weekes has a chameleon-like talent for blending into his surroundings as he keenly observes the world spinning around him, but the moment he steps on stage, locks flowing, he reveals the regal bearing of a mighty lion, his voice rising from a hoarse whisper to a throaty growl.
Make no mistake, this man means business and he is not afraid of telling it like he sees it. His unabashed views on the shared concerns of the world at large are stated with the certainty of a man who has seen and lived through much… a man with an acute awareness and empathy for others’ suffering. A sense of urgency underlies Weekes’ poignant poetry and lyrics as he appeals to both our intellects and our hearts to take heed, to wake up before it's too late.
Born and raised on the island of St. Lucia, Weekes grew up the youngest of ten children in a family where music was ever present. "We were always singing and playing in my house. My father was an incredible singer... we took that from him." By age five, Weekes was singing in church and by the age of nine, he and his brothers had formed a band, playing in local talent shows, the town hall or parish centers around the island.
Weekes would painstakingly write down the lyrics from songs he heard, often tinkering with the words in a song to make them his own creation. "From the time I started writing," he said, "I did my own thing. I was always attracted to the lyrics in the songs and would listen to people like Lord Kitchener and the Mighty Sparrow. They were like town criers telling the stories of the day. Reggae is what you call the poor man's cry. It's music you can sit and listen to. It's listening music."
Weekes grew up blissfully unaware of category or genre - to him, great music was, and still is, great music no matter what the style. "My musical influences were quite varied, 'cause the radio stations played all kinds of music. There were no formats, so we grew up listening to everything from reggae to calypso to classic rock and classical music."
Weekes soon felt confined by the borders of St. Lucia and left home to fulfill his musical ambitions in North America. There he formed his band Taj Weekes and Adowa and multi-media company Jatta Entertainment. To date, the band has released two full-length albums to critical acclaim, Hope & Doubt and Deidem, and look forward to the imminent release of A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen, an acoustic album with several songs of tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Even today Weekes' music defies category... an amalgam of roots style reggae with a hint of afro-folk, rock, and jazz. Essentially, Taj Weekes is a poet who sings to the rhythm of all that has come before and all that stretches out before him... life, his life... from his own unique and complex perspective.
People around the globe are responding to the authenticity of Weekes’ spirit and his commitment to illuminating the plight of the voiceless and the oppressed. Weekes’ non-profit organization, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), demonstrates this commitment through improving the lives of disadvantaged children in the Caribbean and beyond through music, soccer programs and more.
_________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Billboard Magazine
Listed as one of "Six Essential Albums Heralding Roots Rock's Resurgence."
"St. Lucia-born singer/songwriter/guitarist Taj Weekes' enigmatic vocals are underscored by somber reggae beats and lyrics emphasizing an array of global calamities on this poignant release."
The Beat Magazine
"Yes, Taj Weekes is different. As a reggae lyricist who is unafraid of being undogmatic, he's certainly different from most of his peers, and even from the man he was in his own first album. He uses his unusual voice unusually well. His arrangements take great advantage of his fine backing vocalists and his crack team of musicians, including horn section. He writes beautiful tunes. Deidem has it all."
Bob Marley Magazine
"After the breakthrough of his debut album HOPE & DOUBT, Taj Weekes was no longer the best kept secret on the indie reggae scene… With his sophomore release DEIDEM, Weekes draws from his sonic cauldron a music that is as revolutionary as it is evolutionary."
Reggae Reviews
"After releasing perhaps the best reggae album of 2005, Taj Weekes returns with an early candidate for the best of '08 in DEIDEM… It's smart, inspirational, musically vibrant, and just plain gorgeous. No reggae fan can afford not to know Taj Weekes."
The Beat Magazine
"Taj Weekes and Adowa make for a powerful combination on Deidem (Jatta). Minor-key grooves a la early Wailers add punch to Weekes' distinctive tenor and songs like the contemplative 'Angry Language,' 'Dark Couds' and 'Propaganda War' return us to the days of poetic lyrics, social outcry and seasoned reasoning."
The Voice - UK
"SOME people make music for entertainment. Taj Weekes is more about inspiring people to think about the world around them. The St. Lucia-born reggae singer, along with his band Adowa, has made it his mission to give a voice to the oppressed, and he’s earned much praise for it from many in the reggae fraternity."
United Reggae - France
"As a reggae artist, Taj Weekes has the full package - a strange haunting voice, deep and interesting lyrics, the
ability to write songs (not just sing over rhythms) and an uncompromising view of what the music should entail. If you like old school roots the way it used to be but don’t like it to sound self consciously 'retro' - this is your man."
Malagueta Music - Germany
"Taj Weekes' high voice combined with his unusually enticing melodies provide the basis for his perfectly balanced reggae. With solid keyboards, the cunning wah-wah licks of his guitar, seductive female background
singers, and his complex, yet straight-forward arrangements,it becomes obvious that we are in the company of
a musician who is blessed by the West-Indian gods."
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Jahworks - The Boot Box
"Wow, this album is seductive… The songwriting is amazing. I don’t know from what sweet garden of delights those tunes were harvested, but they sure are tasty and rich in nutrients. The arrangements and the musicianship are a joy as well, making emphatic use of horns, organ, and especially the lyrical, Knopfler-influenced lead guitar. And as for that odd quality in the lead vocals, well, it’s a husky tenor, bittersweet, slightly plaintive, reminiscent of Boy George."
Rating: A
Reggae Reviews
"There have been an unusually large number of impressive reggae releases over the past few months, so to say that Hope & Doubt is one of the best reggae releases of the year is saying something… It has a classic, poised, natural roots vibe, unconcerned with trying to sound hip or trying to cram 20 tracks into one album.
Weekes' singing voice is strikingly original: mellow, folksy, and high-pitched… yet with a slight Marley-esque rasp that adds just the right amount of edge."
The Beat Magazine
"If ever there was a band that absorbed the roots rocking throb of the Wailers Band, it would have to be Taj Weekes and Adowa on their debut disc Hope & Doubt."
World Music Central
"His sort of reggae is built around a longstanding roots-style framework, with tidy production values and a crisp rhythmic bounce that matches well with Weekes' warm, mildly urgent voice and knack for melodic and lyrical hooks. Hope and Doubt brings reggae to the mainstream in a way that readily bespeaks Bob Marley - not about to compromise commercially though readily embracing all with ears to hear."
KyndMusic
"...But far above and beyond the technical aspects of this album, which are brilliant, is the heart that comes pouring out of every note and word. This is spiritually transforming music, powerfully political and personal, that fills and refreshes the mind of the listener with visions of, well, Hope and Doubt."
Reggae Ambassadors
"His sound is a rich and pleasing mix of roots reggae flavors."
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Spectra Records
PO Box 41563
N. Charleston, SC 29423
843.270.6822
www.SpectraRecords.com
Leeway's Home Grown Music
PO Box 340
Mebane, NC 27302
919.563.4923
www.HomeGrownMusic.net
Independent Distributors Collective
880 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
415.292.7007
www.IndependentDistro.com
UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France
Afrikool Entertainment/Culture Taxi
Ob Der Aach 2
87509 Immenstadt
GERMANY
Tel/Fax 49.8323.968.891
www.Afrikool.com
Mosaic Music
36, Avenue Victor Segoffin
31000 Toulouse
FRANCE
+33.5.34.31.26.76
www.MosaicMusicDistribution.com
Spectra Records
PO Box 41563
N. Charleston, SC 29423
843.270.6822
www.SpectraRecords.com
_________________________________________________________
Jatta Records Marketing/Public Relations
Sarah Scott
1021 North Milpas Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Tel 805.403.5973
sarahscott@jattaentertainment.com
SMC Europe
Maurice Hamilton
14 Bowling Green Lane
Clerkenwell, London EC1R 0BD
Tel 44.207.251.8770
www.smcEurope.com
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged, at-risk and orphaned children in the Caribbean and beyond through sport, enrichment, educational and wellness programs.
Founder Taj Weekes is committed to utilizing his talents to bring awareness to the issues of poverty, global warming, HIV/AIDS and diabetes through his music as well as through TOCO’s programs and strategic partnerships. In light of positive contributions to the Caribbean community, Weekes has been named a Goodwill Ambassador by the International Consortium of Caribbean Professionals (ICCP) in conjunction with WAFUNIF (World Association of Former U.N. Interns & Fellows), a division of the United Nations.
With the belief that one soccer ball can improve a child’s health, confidence, self-esteem and self-discipline, TOCO’s soccer programs are being implemented to empower schools and community groups with the supplies and support needed to teach basic soccer skills and organize neighborhood tournaments. Soccer balls, equipment, sneakers, cleats, t-shirts and uniforms are being collected through individual donations and corporate sponsorships for distribution to children throughout the Caribbean islands.
TOCO SOCCER was inspired by Weekes’ own childhood in St. Lucia where he experienced first-hand the benefits of the game. The goals of the program include addressing the accelerated rate of diabetes throughout the Caribbean as well as to provide a fun, healthy community-based activity while building a knowledge within the children that they do have the power to rise above their circumstances.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Weekes penned songs of hope, strength, and triumph in memory of those affected by the tragedy for his upcoming album A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen, due out this year. A portion of the proceeds will be distributed by TOCO to children’s programs in New Orleans.
In response to the crisis in Darfur, Weekes wrote Orphans Cry, featured on his 2008 release, DEIDEM, in order to bring special focus to the children affected by these atrocities. Weekes and his band, Adowa, are dedicated to raising awareness during their performances across the country as well as by participating in fundraising events for Darfur.
For more information on TOCO, please visit: www.TheyOftenCryOutreach.org.
_________________________________________________________
