Reggae crooner Duane Stephenson steps into the spotlight with the release of his fourth studio album, Weekend Dude.
Blending roots reggae and lovers rock, Duane engages listeners with original tracks and covers of classics from Slim Smith, The Wailers, Delroy Wilson, and Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner. On the album’s title, Duane explains: “Weekend Dude shows that we are not taking ourselves too seriously. Everything today feels so heavy, and the last thing we want is to promote that. The song itself is about a man choosing happiness, even if only part-time, rather than living without it. It’s also the essence of someone just chilling and enjoying life in the moment”.
The 14-track album, produced by award-winning producer Donovan Germain, highlights Duane’s signature vocals. Songs like “Jaqueline”, “Blessed Are the Meek” and “Jah Jah Give Us Life” shine, while the title track showcases his storytelling as he sings about seeing his love interest on the weekend.
Audio PlayerDuane Stephenson “Black as Coal”
Duane pays homage to reggae’s foundations with renditions of “Blessed Are the Meek” (Slim Smith & Dave Barker), “Jah Jah Give Us Life to Live” (The Wailing Souls), and “The Last Thing on My Mind” (Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner). “The legends I pay tribute to are the bedrock of reggae”, Duane says. “Their work documents the journey of the Jamaican people, which reflects the struggles and triumphs of the world”.
The album features a select few collaborations. The gruff yet charismatic Josey Wales delivers on “Dancehall Broom”, while Exco Levi joins Duane on “That’s What She Loves”, a modern ode to women who enjoy life’s finer things and the men willing to provide them.
Audio PlayerDuane Stephenson “Jah Jah Give Us Life”
Speaking on the project, Donovan Germain shares, “Duane is a pleasant, humorous, and professional artist. Working on this album was a joyously rewarding experience.”
The album’s musicians include Mitcham “Khan” Chin, Lamont Savory, Garth “Duckie” Forester, Wade Johnson, Robby Lyn, Bowie McLaughlin, Kirk Bennett, and Jason Welch, among others. On the timing of the release, Duane says, “I felt it was time for a fresh start with a fresh sound. This album has been a long time coming.”
Weekend Dude presents a softer side of reggae, blending originality with the smooth sounds of lovers rock.
Audio PlayerDuane Stephenson “Weekend Dude”
About Duane Stephenson
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Duane began his career as lead singer of To Isis before going solo in 2005. His debut album, From August Town (2007), featured the internationally recognized single “August Town” and was named one of Billboard’s Six Essential Albums Heralding Roots Rock’s Resurgence.
His follow-up albums include Black Gold (2010) and Dangerously Roots: Journey from August Town (2014), which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard Reggae Chart.
