MAXI PRIEST - MAXIMUM COLLECTION

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Reggae music has flourished in this post-Internet age. It’s never been so accessible and yet whilst new acts are plentiful, global audiences are still drawn towards those legends who achieved worldwide recognition the hard way; i.e. by making hits of timeless appeal, and are stamped with authenticity.

As verified by his long-awaited retrospective, Maximum Collection, Maxi Priest has earned his place among other greats such as Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Toots & The Maytals and Dennis Brown in spreading the reggae gospel far and wide. This is an extraordinary achievement for a singer steeped in Jamaican music, yet raised in South London. Maxi’s joyous brand of reggae and lovers’ rock, infused with r&b and accompanied by real charisma, would bring him a level of success no other British reggae singer can match. He’s deserved it too, because despite the pressures of stardom, he’s remained true to his core audience from the beginning.

Maxi original fans yearned for songs that reflected their own aspirations, tastes and upbringing. Many came from hardworking immigrant families who’d faced discrimination and yet still found the resolve to build strongly knit communities. Whether it told of hardship or romance, reggae music formed the soundtrack to these people’s lives and by the time riots had swept through Britain’s inner cities in the early Eighties, they were ready to celebrate one of their own. ‘Should I’ had already flown to No. 1 on the Black Echoes charts before Maxi signed with Virgin Records, and follow-up hit ‘In The Springtime’ announced the arrival of his 1985 debut album You’re Safe. That was the year he was invited to appear at the UK Reggae Sunsplash, and gave a crowning performance infront of 25,000 people crammed into Crystal Palace football stadium. A short while earlier, he and Paul Robinson had produced Philip Levi’s ‘Mi God Mi King,’ which made history by becoming the first British reggae production to reach No. 1 on the Jamaican charts – a feat that remains unequalled to this day. Whilst his record label saw him as a marketing dream, British reggae audiences took note of his South London roots, and appreciated his humble beginnings.

Maxi had first learnt to sing in church, encouraged by his mother who was a Pentecostal missionary. The second to last of nine brothers and sisters, he’d honed his craft listening to Jamaican greats such as Dennis Brown, John Holt, Ken Boothe and Gregory Isaacs, as well as singers like Marvin Gaye, Al Green, the Beatles, Phil Collins and Frank Sinatra. After rehearsing in the basement of his parents’ house, Maxi had teamed up with Robinson and brother-in-law Jesse James and spent months practising above Lee’s Sound City record shop in Deptford as part of Bad Breed, with whom he recorded his debut single, ‘Hey Little Girl.’ Reggae sound-systems also formed an intrinsic part of his early history.

As a teenager, he’d lifted speaker boxes for the Jah Shaka and Negus Negast sound-systems. He was also a founder member of Saxon International, and played a key role in it becoming London’s No. 1 sound-system. Saxon was home to MCs like Smiley Culture, Peter King, Tippa Irie and Philip Levi, who together with Pato Banton, had revolutionised reggae music with their rapid-fire deliveries. It was with Saxon that Maxi began performing at neighbourhood youth clubs and house parties, and first won an appreciative female audience. Maxi was therefore no overnight sensation, but had graduated through the ranks, and against considerable odds.

“You’re born in England, you try and find some identity and you’re constantly told that you don’t belong here, so you find yourself searching for a sense of belonging,” he says. After joining the Twelve Tribes Of Israel and embracing Rastafari, he was given the name Maxi Priest. As he learnt more of his cultural heritage, Maxi took part in some of London’s historic, anti-racist demonstrations and has continued to express roots and culture and reality themes in his music ever since.

It was ‘Strollin’ On,’ again produced by himself and Paul Robinson that brought his first taste of chart success in March 1986. ‘Strollin’ On’ was taken from his follow-up album Intentions, on which he collaborated with Aswad. By then Maxi was headlining shows at places like the Brixton Academy and Hammersmith Odeon, and taking reggae music into venues such as the Astoria; this prior to performing at Jamaica’s Reggae Sunsplash – a great honour for any reggae artist from overseas. Within just a few years, he’ll be welcomed on stage by Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and Freddie McGregor – an occasion he says was one of the best moments of his career. Today, he’s among the most widely travelled of any reggae star. He’s toured the world many times, and continues to draw big, appreciative crowds wherever he goes.

In 1987, Maxi left for Jamaica in the company of keyboard wizard Duncan Bridgeman and Mafia & Fluxy, who are the UK’s very own rhythm kings. It was in Kingston, Jamaica that he recorded his third album Maxi, produced by Sly & Robbie in collaboration with Willie Lindo. This masterful collection yielded the hits ‘Some Guys Have All The Luck,’ ‘How Can We Ease The Pain,’ shared with Beres Hammond, and an enchanting cover of Cat Stevens’ ‘Wild World’ which went Top 5 in Britain, Top 10 in the US and also entered the country and western charts! Soon, Maxi was having hits all around the world and with records that appealed to music lovers of all persuasions. Japanese audiences especially took him to heart, and he still enjoys superstar status there. Further international acclaim came with his 1990 album Bonafide, which spawned the hits ‘Just A Little Bit Longer,’ ‘Best Of Me,’ ‘Human Work Of Art,’ ‘Peace Throughout The World,’ ‘Sure Fire Love’ and ‘Close To You.’ The latter reached No. 7 in the UK, and then topped the US Billboard charts in October 1990. More than twenty years later and Maxi Priest is still the only reggae singer – from anywhere, including Jamaica – to have a No. 1 hit in America.

As Maxi’s fame went global, Virgin released Best Of Me, which contained a selection of hits past, present and future. This was the album containing ‘Housecall,’ featuring Shabba Ranks, who was Jamaica’s reigning dee-jay at the time. ‘Housecall’ rewrote the rules where reggae was concerned. American radio was heavily formatted, and it was hard to get reggae play-listed on most commercial stations. ‘Housecall’ broke that mould and established Maxi and Shabba at the forefront of a new, urbanised form of reggae music that incorporated strands of hip hop and r&b, as well as their trademark reggae sound.

This groundbreaking new fusion transformed Maxi’s 1992 album Fi Real into a classic, and especially on tracks like ‘Groovin’ In The Midnight’ and ‘Just Wanna Know.’ Major league collaborations with American soul legends Roberta Flack and arranger Arif Mardin – and also jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour – followed. Both these associations led to further chart success, and on the jazz as well as international listings. In 1993, Maxi again ventured into new territory after making his film debut in ‘Scam,’ starring Christopher Walken and Lorraine Bracco.

During the mid-nineties, as reggae’s popularity increased, he co-founded the hugely influential Mad House label whilst continuing his winning streak with dee-jays. In 1996, he and Shaggy were back in the charts with ‘That Girl,’ taken from the album ‘Man With The Fun.’ It was Maxi’s fifth Top 20 hit in Britain, where his popularity has endured throughout his career. In the meantime, he and his brother Martin founded the Dug Out label, which they launched from the basement of their family house in South London. Community has always been important to this most genial of reggae stars. It’s why he’s readily taken part in local campaigns such as No Trigger, aimed at lessening gun violence.

It was Dug Out that gave UK r&b singer Elisha La Verne her start – who would experience considerable success with the Japanese label Avex. Maxi’s always encouraged others to explore their potential, and later invited Elisha to duet with him on the hit song ‘Back Together Again’ – a track that also featured his son Ryan, from the group Ultimate Kaos. ‘Back Together Again’ was included on Priest’s CombiNation album from 1999, a set that also featured ‘What A Woman Needs,’ written in collaboration with R&B singer Joe. Maxi’s endorsement of young talent would again reap dividends in 2005, after he worked with up-and-coming producer Don Corleon. ‘I Believe’ was a big hit in Jamaica, and later appeared on 2 The Max – an album that radiated class from start to finish.

Other highlights included an exquisite cover of ‘Fields Of Gold,’ written by Sting; ‘Cry For The Children,’ which evoked the sound of Seventies’ reggae and ‘Full Hundred’ – a song co-written and produced by Maxi’s two sons, Marvin and Ryan. Another son, Che, appears on the alternative version of ‘Full Hundred’ found on Maximum Collection, which Maxi remixed with Livingston Brown. The latter played a key role in the production of ‘2 The Max,’ as did Lauryn Hill main-man Commissioner Gordon. Maxi’s followup album Refused was beautifully presented and again featured tracks that glistened like gold, all of them soaked in the sounds and spirit of the Caribbean. A year later, in 2008, he toured and recorded with fellow British reggae trailblazers UB40 – a partnership that resulted in the irresistible ‘Dance Until The Morning Light.’

As usual, Maxi had ensured that his music had class and relevance, whatever the subject matter. Those timeless, cultured vocals can still be heard in today’s reggae mix, as heard on his latest release ‘Nothing But Trouble’ – a song that’s the title track of his forthcoming album, and underlines Maxi’s enduring quality for all to hear. His singing remains impressive as ever, but after nearly thirty years in the business, he deserves a retrospective.

Soon to be released ‘Maximum Collection’ isn’t just a play on his name please note, but a statement of fact – one enhanced by fresh recordings and remixes that’ll dazzle even his most ardent fans.

Maxi would like to dedicate ‘Maximum Collection’ to the memory of his mother and father, and former managers Erskine Thompson and Zola Burse.Maxi Priest’s new record ‘Nothing But Trouble’ is coming soon... featuring the new single ‘Nothing But Trouble’ as heard on this collection

~John Masouri
  maxipriest.com

Maximum Collection Tracklisting:
Disc 1
1. In The Springtime
2. Strollin On
3. Just Wanna Know
4. For The Love Of You
5. Rough Diamond (feat. Gappy Ranks)
6. How Can We Ease The Pain (feat. Beres Hammond)
7. Wild World
8. Some Guys Have All The Luck
9. Lion In The Jungle (feat. Michael Rose)
10. Heartbreak Lover (feat. Beres Hammond and Buju Banton)
11. Stamina (feat. Joseph Cotton)
12. Morning Light (Socca Remix) (feat. Maximus and UB40)
13. Sure Fire Love
14. Should I
15. Let Me Know
16. Real Love
17. Goodbye To Love Again
18. Fields Of Gold

Disc 2
1. Watching The World Go By
2. Close To You
3. Housecall (remix) (feat. Shabba Ranks)
4. Nothing But Trouble (Unreleased Track)
5. Full Hundred (feat. Che Elliott)
6. Cry Me A River
7. Cry For The Children
8. Fever (feat. Dennis Brown & Shabba Ranks)
9. Just A Little Bit Longer
10. Bonafide Love
11. I Know Love (feat. Tiger
12. Make It Yours (feat. Shurwayne Winchester)
13. That Girl (feat. Shaggy)
14. Searching
15. Groovin In The Midnight
16. Best Of Me
17. Love Don t Come Easy
18. We Tomorrow People

NEW RELEASES - CHRIS READ, JARRARD ANTHONY, NICKODEMUS

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CHRIS READ PRESENTS LATIN CONCRETE: A MODERN LATIN RHYTHM SUITE

Unlike many of the compilations to have emerged from the BBE stable, this release is less about unearthing rare or unheard music and more about shining a light on a sound that has been developing in its own small corner of the musical spectrum over the last decade or so. Chris Read approaches this compilation, not as someone who grew up around Latin influenced music or with any lengthy history of involvement in it, but as a DJ and music fan who grew up listening to the early sample based music of the late 80s and early 90s has, ever since, set about exploring the many directions that music has travelled in. The music which appears on this compilation is the product of just one of those many avenues. The tracks featured here come from a variety of sources but in many cases are the product of a generation of DJs and producers who similarly grew up listening to the sample rich hip hop, house and more of the 80s and 90s and have taken that influence and applied it to a particular sound, in this case the varied musical styles of the Latin Diaspora. This is modern Latin music from a DJ's perspective - rhythm heavy, beat driven and infectious. ~ bbemusic.com

JARRARD ANTHONY – READY TO LIVE

A hell of a great album from Jarrard Anthony – an artist who's been bubbling under for the past few years – but who really comes into his own with this beautiful album! The set's got all the spiritual overtones you might guess from the cover – but also comes across with a tightly-crafted, all-soul approach too – a really rich vibe that's a perfect fit for Anthony's positive-spirited lyrics! Instrumentation is relatively lean – mostly handled by Nate Smith – yet comes across with a focus that seems to make a lot out of a little – a really great groove that builds nicely as the album rolls along. The album features guest work by Lonnie Liston Smith, Monet, Darien, Amer Amen, Amma Whatt, and Onaje Allan Gumbs – and titles include a remake of Don Blackman's "I Love You" – plus "Morning In The Forest", "Healer", "Cloud 10", "Something Like Love", "Never See Her Again", "Lucky Day", and "Blowing On Your Back". Also features the bonus track "Damn Sista (future remix)" with Eric Roberson – and "Never See Her Again". ~ Dusty Groove

NICKODEMUS – MOON PEOPLE

Nickodemus logically follows up his warm and breezy Sun People album with the more cosmically-lit follow up Moon People – once again bringing a wealth of global influences and instrumentation to his unique style of spacey dancefloor soul! He's joined by the legendary Afrika Bambaata and other great vocal guests – including Sammy Ayala, Kissey Asplund and Kathrin DeBoer of Belleruche – which elevates the creative mix of beats and eclectic instrumentation quite nicely! That said, the instrumental backdrops are quite hypnotic on their own – cosmic soul beats and atmosherics flavored by flutes, Eastern string accents, horns, steel drums and much more – depending on the needs of the particular track. Includes "Under The Volcano" with Navegante, "Moon People" feat The Real Live Show, "Nights Of Balaur", "Alkebulan" feat Afrika Bambaata, "Peaceful Island Earth" feat Kathrin DeBoer, "The Nuyorican Express" feat Candela Allstars, "Mirage" with Kissey Asplund, "Conmigo (Hallex Remix)" feat Sammy Ayala, "Vino People" and more. ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - VINCENT INGALA, THE RUFFCATS, ECCENTRIC SOUL

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VINCENT INGALA – CAN’T STOP NOW

An amazing sense of playing style and grace, well beyond his years… he’s charming, sincere and extremely talented. Vincent Ingala knocked us out the minute we heard his debut album NORTH END SOUL. I’ve always said, the most dangerous kind of people in the world are those who don’t know what they want… Vincent is the exact opposite, he knows precisely what he wants and there’s no way he’s going to stop now! Quickly becoming a favorite at festivals and music events, the young saxophonist and composer is working with seriously skilled talent on CAN’T STOP NOW. You’ll hear the utmost quality in production on this savory new release including contributions from one of our favorites, keyboardist Gregg Karukas as well as chart-topper, Jonathan Fritzén. Soulful grooves with addictive melodies, Vincent’s exciting new album will be a game changing arrival at Smooth Jazz… I anticipate this being a huge hit for the 19-year-old. Get ready world, Vincent Ingala’s shifted into high gear! ~ Sandy Shore / smoothjazz.com

THE RUFFCATS – ESSENCE VOL. 1

A damn funky debut from The Ruffcats – a German combo who've cut their teeth providing grooves for singers like Bajka, Flo Mega, and Jaguar Wright – but who sound even better in an instrumental format on their own! There's a really sinister approach to the music here – one that goes past conventional funk, into a wry mix of funky elements that come across sounding as fresh as they do rootsy – that unusual blend that we always used to love from the trippier Poets Of Rhythm projects! Core instrumentation is very familiar, but it somehow comes together in really different ways as the set moves on – maybe a particular bubble on the Hammond here, a moody riff on the Rhodes there, odd tunings on the horns, weird rhythms on the percussion, and things like that – all of which contribute to a really great set of tracks that includes "Odd Stones", "The Baaang", "Dr Cosmo", "Brain Gone Ruff (parts 1 & 2)", "Boti's Skit", and "Turtles". ~ Dusty Groove
ECCENTRIC SOUL: A RED BLACK GREEN PRODUCTION – VARIOUS ARTISTS
A killer collection of east coast soul from the 70s – work that originally appeared on a handful of different labels, but which was all put together by Robert Hosea Williams – an unsung producer working out of a small studio in Silver Springs – with an incredible ear for up-and-coming talent! The music here is totally deep and righteous throughout – the hippest of the indie label scene on the east coast – and work that really lives up to the progressive, righteous reference you'd get from the Red, Black, & Green in the title! There's plenty of group soul here – of a type that mixes older harmony modes with hipper 70s references – creating a really badass approach to soul music that's simply mindblowing – and way different than the mainstream variants that were hitting the charts at the time. The whole thing's great – one of the best Numero comps in years – and titles include "Phoney People" and "I Really Really Love You" by Father's Children, "Sleepwalking" and "Let's Do It Over" by The Summits, "Don't Worry About The Joneses" and "We're Two Fools In Love" by Dysons Faces, "Day By Day" and "It Must Be Love" by The Exceptions Featuring Mark Greene, "Town Called Nowhere" and "I Need Your Love" by Skip Mahoney & The Casuals, and "Summer In The Parks" and "Generation" by East Coast Connection. ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - GREGORY GENERET, WILLIE WRIGHT, PHAROAHS

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GREGORY GENERET –
(RE) GENERET-ION

A great debut for jazz singer Gregory Generet – a new voice on records, but a vocalist who's worked often in performance on the New York scene! Generet's got this style that grabs you right away – an instant classic mode that carries echoes of Johnny Hartman and an older generation of jazz – set to tight trio backings from a group that includes Onaje Allen Gumbs on piano, Marcus McLaurine on bass, and Payton Crossley on drums! Other musicians move in and out as the set rolls along – including Roger Byam on tenor, Marc Cross on soprano, and Eddie Allen on trumpet – but the core sound is focused on the trio's warm backing of Genere't vocals – with strongly-pronounced basslines that are a great fit for his mood. Titles include "Rio De Janiero Blues", "Moon Dance", "Stolen Moments", "Caravan", "How High The Moon", and "Angel Eyes". ~ Dusty Groove

WILLIE WRIGHT – THIS IS NOT A DREAM

The first album in many many years from the enigmatic Willie Wright – an artist who's probably best known for Numero Records' recent revival of his older material, than he was for getting big exposure back in the day! This new set is handled with a surprisingly great style – one that really stays true to Wright's unique brand of folksy soul – a mode that's got echoes of Bill Withers and Terry Callier, but which is also served up in a voice that's distinctly Willie's own too! Instrumentation is nicely stripped down – just guitar, keyboards, and rhythm on most tracks – plus bits of flute or sax here and there – and the production is wonderfully faithful to Wright's vocals, which sound surprisingly strong after all these years. Titles include "Jimmie Lee", "Our Time Has Come", "Dance Floor", "Donna's Song", "Trust", "Don't Change A Thing", and "This Is Not A Dream". ~ Dusty Groove

PHARAOHS - AWAKENING

A brilliant batch of jazzy funk from Chicago! The Pharaohs were a solid jazz/funk group with a spiritual edge, with a connection to the righteous Windy City scene that stretched back to membership in Phil Cohran's Artistic Heritage Ensemble, and later work in Earth, Wind and Fire. Players include Chicago soul and jazz luminaries Louis Satterfield, Don Myrick, Ben Israel, Aaron Dodd, and Derf Reklaw – and the overall style of the tracks is the same mixture of spiritual jazz, soul, and funk that you find on the best early Earth Wind & Fire records! Titles include "Damballa", "Freedom Road", "Great House", and "Black Enuff". (Back in print for the first time in years! Includes code for download.) ~ Dusty Groove

JOSE FELICIANO TO RELEASE TRIBUTE TO ELVIS PRESLEY ALBUM

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With a career that has earned 9 Grammy Awards; including the LARAS Lifetime Achievement, Jose Feliciano has attained worldwide acclaim that has spanned more than three generations. Jose Feliciano now indulges himself in a lifelong dream… to honor his childhood hero- Elvis Presley. His latest CD release, The King... by Jose Feliciano, visits some of Elvis' greatest hits as well as some of Jose's favorite songs.

The highly acclaimed guitarist, singer and composer returns to his youth to rekindle his passion for Elvis. After over a year in his private studio, Jose handpicked twelve Elvis songs. He arranged each one, played all of the instruments, recorded all of the background vocals and branded each song with his own distinctive voice and guitar.

The record came to fruition after Jose made a pilgrimage to Memphis in January 2012, to join in the annual remembrance of Elvis' birth at Graceland. It wasn't his first visit; but it was remarkable. Jose was asked to lead Elvis Fans in singing Happy Birthday at the Birthday Cake Celebration.

While at Graceland, Jose was fortunate to meet Elvis' long time friend and confidant, George Klein. George broadcasts his radio program from Graceland and is the Executive Producer of The King...by Jose Feliciano. Jose also met Johnny Phillips, the nephew of the man who first recorded Elvis in 1954.

He now co-owns the company his uncle founded- the legendary Select-O-Hits. He quickly signed Jose and will release the project throughout North America on August 7th, 2012. Mr. Phillips adds, "It's an honor to be working with one of the greatest singers, musicians and performers of our time!!"

This CD is the most personally satisfying genre album to date. The King... By Jose Feliciano not only showcases the magic of Feliciano but his genuine appreciation and affection for the undisputed King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.

http://www.josefeliciano.com/
http://www.selectohits.com/

2 Cute Stories....

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Who is this handsome young boy? He thinks he looks like Jack Dawson from Titanic.....LOL
Or Scott Disick from 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians'....LOL
It doesn't say much for me as a parent that my 6 year old knows about either.....LOL I wish I could say that I was letting his hair grow out on purpose, but it really is growing out because I am to lazy, and busy to get him to the barber....The other morning for school he wanted it to look like 'Jack Dawson' as I was doing it he had a big smile on his face. I said 'Bubba like it now because this week I'm taking you to the barber for a buzz.' He went from Happy Face to very Sad Face. Maybe I should let him grow it out? Maybe I'll tell him he can after the family picture....LOL


Did you ever find meaning on a carton of milk?Well Bethany says to me and Jonathon 'If you point the arrow on the top of your milk carton to someone it means that you love them.'......Then all of a sudden she says 'One day Justin pointed his milk carton at me.' I say to Jonathon 'Did she just tell us that story so she could tell us that Justin is in love with her?'...we both laughed...
I looked closer at the milk carton and said 'Maybe where it says TO OPEN really means point this at a person TO OPEN their heart.'......LOLJonathon thinks I'm really funny....Bethany not so much...

Emma

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Well Bethany went to get her hair cut last week. Emma's Mom cut it. Noah was so happy to get Emma's phone number. He really misses her since she switched schools. We invited her over for dinner, and to play the Wii. Noah requested hot dogs, and mac&cheese. He said that's what ladies like. So, after dinner they all went back to play the Wii. Bethany and Emma played the Wii while Noah played with my guitar trying to write a song for Emma....LOLShe really was shy around Noah, and really played with Bethany....until it was time to leave. She was walking out the door, turned around and said 'Noah if you want to say good-bye you have to catch me'....LOL I never saw him jump up so fast in all my life...LOL he caught up with her, and of course bear hugged her, and picked her up off the ground...LOL....She knew he was going to do that. Chris said he thought he saw him give her a kiss on the cheek, but it was dark and I couldn't tell. Emma's Mom just laughed and said we will have to get together again....
Emma was the little girl that came to Noah's Birthday party. There is also a really cute story, and picture with Noah holding hands with Emma on the bus in Pre-K. This is where he tells me he would like to marry Emma....LOL