Deidem Reviews
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."
Houston Chronicle
Deidem listed as one of "Ten Great Albums by Non-Marleys" encompassing the history of reggae.
"Such a varied education is at least partially responsible for Weekes' status as the most interesting roots reggae singer to come along in a generation. There are no gimmicks in Weekes' music: no hip-hop, no party anthems, no visual shtick, crutches that have made dancehall a profitable, if shallow, permutation of reggae's history. Weekes sings in a high, brittle and otherworldly voice. But he's a songwriter first. His songs play out vibrantly with a band, but strip them down to just voice and guitar and they remain smart and melodic."
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."
