Duane Stephenson.
Reggae crooner Duane Stephenson steps into the highlight with the discharge of his fourth studio album Weekend Dude.
Mixing roots reggae and lovers’ rock, Stephenson engages listeners with authentic tracks and covers of classics from Slim Smith, The Wailers, Delroy Wilson, and Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner.
“Weekend Dude exhibits that we aren’t taking ourselves too critically. Every thing immediately feels so heavy, and the very last thing we wish is to advertise that. The music itself is a couple of man selecting happiness, even when solely part-time, somewhat than residing with out it. It’s additionally the essence of somebody simply chilling and having fun with life within the second,” the artiste explains.
The 14-track album, produced by award-winning producer Donovan Germain, highlights Stephenson’s signature vocals. Songs like Jacqueline, Blessed Are the Meek (from Slim Smith & Dave Barker), and Jah Jah Give Us Life (The Wailing Souls) shine, whereas the title monitor showcases his storytelling as he sings about seeing his love curiosity on the weekend.
The legends I pay tribute to are the bedrock of reggae,” he mentioned. “Their work paperwork the journey of the Jamaican folks, which displays the struggles and triumphs of the world.”
The album contains a choose few collaborations. The gruff but charismatic Josey Wales delivers on Dancehall Broom, whereas Exco Levi joins on That’s What She Loves — a contemporary ode to girls who take pleasure in life’s finer issues and the boys keen to offer them.
Talking on the venture, Germain shared: “Duane is a nice, humorous, {and professional} artiste. Engaged on this album was a joyously rewarding expertise.”
The album’s musicians embody Mitcham “Khan” Chin, Lamont Savory, Garth “Duckie” Forester, Wade Johnson, Robby Lyn, Bowie McLaughlin, Kirk Bennett, and Jason Welch, amongst others.
“I felt it was time for a recent begin with a recent sound. This album has been a very long time coming,” shared Stephenson.
