An artist to know for any roots reggae enthusiast, Taj Weekes is not his first try since this is his 7th album. Originally from the small island of Saint Lucia (south of Martinique) the artist has within him this insular feeling, very Jamaican, listening to the world. A leading figure on his island, Taj Weekes is launching numerous humanitarian programs through his association TOCO (They Often Cry Outreach) and in particular recently offered 15,000 pairs of shoes to underprivileged children. For the past few years, Taj Weekes has served at UNICEF as the Cultural Ambassador of Saint Lucia. Since his beginnings, music and actions have been one for him, his music has financed his association and vice versa.
“Pause” is a special album for many reasons. We discover on the cover the only name of Taj Weekes for the first time not attached to the name of his group Adowa. Because it was in times of confinement that Taj worked on this opus and chose to make it his first solo album. After writing, he sought out various musicians who perfectly master the art of skanking. We note in particular the participation of Ticklah, keyboard of the American band Easy Star All Stars (Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread…) and as many handpicked Caribbean musicians. Special album because in direct reaction to the events that have shaken our planet in recent years, the increase in violence (Bang Bang), the Black Lives Matter movement linked to the assassination of George Floyd (False Choice), the global pandemic of covid- 19 and the climate emergency (Crisis).
The art of Taj Weekes is in his pen, social and conscious but also in his tone of voice, his musicality and his arrangements. This new album tackles hot themes while poetry and sheds light on the artist’s vision of our world and its imbalances. In fact, it is cries and slogans captured at the heart of demonstrations (March of the Silent) that close the album. Musically, the album is very rich, of rare coherence, traversed by various recurring melodic themes. If he often relies on a reggae one drop leaving room for dub, Taj Weekes also draws on his pop (Bang Bang), rock (Fine Young Mix Crisis) sometimes soaring (Shelter in Place) influences taking his music into a successful merger. The tracklist is particularly well thought out in the order of the titles, the dynamics are varied (ballad / roots / ska / up tempo …). Taj uses many sounds and instruments to give each piece a unique atmosphere. One track calls for another, the album – 10 tracks – finally seems short, but it’s mostly the mark of great albums, of those classics that stand the test of time!
« Pause » porte bien son nom, une vraie respiration, un temps de réflexion et de bien-être comme un remède offert au public. Taj Weekes, est un vrai créateur et le prouve encore une fois avec cet album, tout autant engagé, personnel que réussi. Espérons le voir sur scène prochainement, ses concerts en Europe se faisant rares ! Un bel artiste, intègre, inspiré et inspirant.