download maxi priest united state of mind

Growing up there was a cultural struggle in a society that spent a lot of time making us feel unwelcome, even though we were born in England. I'm just 'that kid.' Every day I wake up with a bright and positive mind with a great appreciation for life and the world. Maxi Priest: Most definitely! It does not matter what situation we face in life, my creativity, my vibes, will always flow. Jess Grant (Songfacts): Hi Maxi! Thank you so much for speaking with Songfacts today! How are you doing given the current circumstances? Are you managing to stay creative despite the virus? Songfacts caught up with Maxi to discuss his eventful career – including his initial loathing for 'Wild World' – and find out how he's handling these uncertain times. His solo album, It All Comes Back To Love, is in the running for the Grammy for Best Reggae Album, but the latest project for the 59-year-old Londoner is the politically-tinged United State of Mind, a collaboration with Procol Harum guitarist Robin Trower and renowned producer Livingstone Brown. With 11 solo albums under his belt, Maxi is showing no signs of slowing down as we turn our attention to the coming decade. In 1991, he teamed with Roberta Flack on the hit 'Set The Night To Music' and with Shabba Ranks on 'Housecall.'

He landed a deal with Virgin Records and started charting in the UK in 1986 with 'Strollin' On.' His first taste of international success came in 1988 with his majestic cover of Cat Stevens' 'Wild World,' and in 1990 he went to #1 in America with 'Close To You.'Īlong with UB40 and Soul II Soul (which had their own sound system), Priest helped embed British reggae into the firmament during this period.

A gift for singing and performance soon revealed itself, and he went from box builder to star of the show, transforming sound system culture along the way. Born in Lewisham, London, to Jamaican immigrants, Maxi was exposed to reggae from a very young age, nourished on the sublime musicality of Dennis Brown, John Holt, Ken Boothe, and Gregory Isaacs.Īs a teenager, Priest was a carpenter who crafted speaker boxes for local luminaries including Jah Shaka and Negus Negast, before joining the pre-eminent British reggae sound system 1 Saxon Studio International. Maxi Priest, 'The King of Lovers Rock,' became a pop and R&B star while keeping his cred with reggae purists.

Download maxi priest united state of mind