DEIDEM Review on Niceup.com

JAMMIN REGGAE ARCHIVES ON NICEUP.COM

 
Album review by: Ras Adam Simeon

Hailing from the island of St. Lucia, Taj Weekes offers a serious work tackling tough topics over haunting roots rock reggae. His band name Adowa is from a famous Ethiopian battle, a tribute to his Ethiopian grandpa. The album starts off with Angry Language, where he reconsiders his biblical teachings. He questions the truths we are fed in Propaganda War and the cycle of man's violence on Since Cain. Opression and judgement of dreadlocks is addressed on Kink and Crinkle. Dark Clouds, Orphans Cry and Hollow Display all touch on heavy subjects of inhumanity and broken hearts. Through the dark and heavy messages shine a few rays of hope; on We Stand he intones that "we've got to find a way" and fight against the odds to keep that Little Fire lit and burning. Taj has a very high sweet unique voice almost like a Pablo Moses. His band is very talented and has a Tosh/Lucky Dube feel. The disc's final cut is Lousiana, a slow balad about Hurricane Katrina. Despite the dense material, the disc is not depressing, rather it's serious message music and food for thought.  Jatta Records