Search - Taj Weekes, Adowa :: Deidem

Absolutely Unbelievable!!!

Paul R. Austill | Wadesville, IN | 09/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have owned this album for a year now, and I just recently came online and read the 6 reviews of this album on Amazon. Everyone seemed to be pretty spot on about this artist and this band: Taj Weekes and Adowa. I'm a reggae musician, and I only listen to and play "classic" reggae music. My music collection starts in the 1960's when ska first turned into reggae. All my discs are in chronological order starting there and consists mostly of studio albums and live recordings of musicians such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Jacob Miller, among some others. I didn't choose these bands because of their names or for any other reason than they are the best reggae bands out there period! Their dedication to the "off-beat" reggae riffs, the "one drop" drum patterns, the natural instruments, the jammin' guitar licks, and most importantly the conscious lyrics is what makes them so meaningful; and they surpass all others on all levels by not changing those wonderful qualities that makes Rasta reggae music what it is to so many people. Taj Weekes and Adowa is the first band in a long time to live up to those high standards and I pray to Jah that he will keep them playing and inspiring others. Before Taj came out, my collection of music ended in 1983 with Peter Tosh's performance at the Greek Theatre in L.A. Now, 22 years seperates that disc and Taj Weekes and Adowa'a first album, Hope and Doubt, which came out in 2005. Then, Deidem, then, Taj Weekes and Adowa Live in Taos, NM, which is the only live recording I have been able to find. People might ask, 22 years and there isn't anything? There are some good reggae bands out there, but I'm talking really really real, if you don't like this album, then you don't like reggae, that is all there is to it. I have listened to bands from those 22 years, some stand out, ZM&MM, Morgan Heritage, Luci, I-Wayne, Buju, but this is truly the best reggae album since Bob Marley's Confrontation was released in 1983. Buy it, buy it again, go and support Taj and the band, help make this little known phenomonon bigger than it is because they are not getting enough support. This band is pretty historic. I could go song to song and explain what is so musically talented about each part, but if you a roots Reggae listener, then you will know yourself. The one cd I have added since Taj Weeks is "Born Dead With Life" by Perfect. Check out my review of it on Amazon. Pick up these discs and please support these artists, the roots rocks rasta reggae people like me need them to keep making new music. Jah bless!"