The Best Of Maxi Priest (CD)

Since his appearance on the British lovers-rock scene in the mid-`80s, Maxi Priest has become not just a reggae icon but an international pop superstar. Impressively, Maxi's breezy mix of dancehall, roots and pop R&B has struck a chord with mainstream pop audiences in both the U.K. and the U.S., making him one of only two U.K. acts to score a Billboard number-one hit--the sultry "Close to You." THE BEST OF MAXI PRIEST is a useful career recap, focusing on the pop crossover efforts that have brought the singer widespread critical and commercial plaudits. From appealing cover material, like his bouncy roots-flavored take on Cat Stevens's "Wild World," to uplifting anthems, such as the soaring "Watching the World Go By," BEST OF is a satisfying roundup of one of the reggae world's most accessible artists.