Sultry Reggae Singer Maxi Priest to Deliver the Gospel of Soul at
Yoshi’s Oakland
By Shelah Moody
London-born singer/songwriter Max
Alfred Elliot could not have chosen a better stage name: Maxi Priest.
The name “Maxi”
suits him because, since his first album, “You’re Safe: Caution” was released
in 1985, he has taken reggae music to the maximum heights, to the top of the
“Billboard” charts, to adult contemporary radio, to late night television, to
the San Francisco Symphony.
The last name
“Priest” is fitting because it reflects his spiritual side and his belief in a
higher power. Priest draws from his experience growing up in a Pentecostal
church to create his unique blend of gospel, Jamaican reggae, British lover’s
rock and American soul that inspires love and romance.
There is something
about a Maxi Priest song that moves you. It is no coincidence that Angela
Basset and Taye Diggs shared their first dance while Priest’s song, “Art of
Seduction” played in the background in the film adaptation of Terry McMillan’s
novel “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.”
Maxi Priest is
known for his international string of hits including “Close to You,”
“Housecall” (with Shabba Ranks). “Set the Night to Music” (with Roberta Flack),
“That Girl” (with Shaggy) and remakes of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” and Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love.”
Whether performing at a large scale music festival or an intimate night spot,
Priest always gives 110 percent. In a rare appearance, Maxi Priest and his band will perform two
shows on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Yoshi’s Oakland.
Maxi Priest is particularly proud of his
latest releases “Maximum Collection,” which includes 36 songs from the
beginning of his career to the present. Another recent album close to his heart
is “Time of Year,” a compilation of his favorite Christmas songs. (Hint: This
may be the perfect gift as the holiday season approaches).
During a press
conference at the 17th Annual Monterey Bay Reggaefest last year, among other
insightful topics that were discussed, Priest gave the media a preview of
“Maximum Collection.”
“I look at it as a giving the younger
generation a fast lane to catching up with who Maxi Priest is,” said the golden voiced
singer, who is recognized by his long, cascading dreads and megawatt smile.
Although Priest and his siblings grew up in
south London, he hails from hardworking Jamaican parents who immigrated to
England in search of opportunity and success for their offspring. Priest draws
from a regal bloodline, the late reggae icon Jacob Miller was his uncle and
rapper Heavy D his cousin.
Priest’s obvious musical influences include
Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Cat Stevens and Sting, whose material he has covered.
Since Priest covered Golden Lady” on his 1999 album “Combination,” I asked
about Stevie Wonder’s influence.
“I think that
Stevie Wonder has influenced everybody in music— musicians and non-musicians—in
some way or another, said Priest. “He is very much a freedom fighter, always
looking to spread the word of equal rights and justice.”
While headlining at the Monterey Bay
Reggaefest in 2012, Priest joined the celebration of the 50th anniversary of
Jamaica’s independence. There tone of the press conference took a serious turn.
“We know how to
party, but we need to get a little bit serious sometimes,” said Priest.
“(Jamaica) has survived for the last 50 years; and I can only hope that we
learn from the 50 years of struggle that we’ve been through. There have been
some highs and some serious lows. I only hope that our beautiful little island
can look at those 50 years and make the next 50 years a better place, a better
situation, for the younger generation. They are going to survive based on the
foundation that we put down.”
Priest is
particularly proud of his band, a multitalented, diverse group of musicians
including Richard "Goofy" Campbell (keyboards), Paul KasticK (drums),
JJ Sansaverino (guitar) and Taddy P. Camp (bass). When Camp approached the
press table, Priest was more than happy to give him the spotlight. “He plays a
mean solo bass and you should check out his CD, “Gimme Di Bass,” said Priest.
“I had to say that, because it’s not good just to promote yourself.”
In fact, Priest
heaped praise on all of his band members, including DJ Beniton the Menace, a
New Yorker who jams with Priest on “Housecall” and “That Girl.” Priest even
invited his road manager/engineer, Steve Locke, to join the group at the
table.
Drummer Paul
KasticK has been working with Priest since 1989; in fact, Priest’s was the
first international band that KasticK played with. KasticK went on to play with
the 809 band and other prestigious reggae artists.
“In 1986, when I was
a youth playing in the hotels six nights a week in Montego Bay, I heard Maxi
Priest for the first time,” said KasticK. “I remember exactly where I was when
I heard “Wild World” debut on the charts for the first time. Maxi’s music has
had a profound effect on musicians. Maxi, to me, is one of the top five
vocalists in the world.”
Priest approached
stellar guitarist JJ Sansaverino 12 years ago and ended up becoming a
mentor.
“I have the
opportunity to work with one of my favorite reggae singers—Maxi Priest,” said Sansaverino.
“I knew about Maxi Priest way before he knew about me. I was a fan; and I got
the call to work with this brilliant artist. It’s been a learning experience.
He’s groomed me from a shy guy on stage to a maniac—with a lot of constructive
criticism along the way. He’s become my brother, and he’s taught me so much.
I’m so happy to be doing my own project, but one of the happiest times for me
is being on stage with this group of musicians. This is an all-star line-up and
we’ve been all over the world, we’ve experience the best and the worst.”
Priest’s attention
turned to the 6’4 keyboardist Richard “Goofy” Campbell, a devout Seventh Day
Adventist.
“There’s a lot more
to Mr. Humble, Richard Campbell,” said Priest. “He has produced quite a number of people; he continues to
support a lot of the younger generation. In Montego Bay, he opens his doors to
young people and helps them learn to play keyboard and play instruments. I am
honored to have the opportunity to work with him, and that goes for all of my
band members.”
During the end of
the press conference, the conversation circled back to Maxi Priest’s
inspiration on the younger generation. When I was in my twenties, my
grandmother, the strong woman who raised me, had undergone brain surgery at age
90—and survived. During those critical moments, I played Priest’s album
“Bonafide” over and over for comfort. Nowadays, I listen to Priest’s
composition “God Watches over Us,” when I need an uplift.
“Well, personally,
I would say to a young person, first, find God,” said Priest. “When you find
God, you will find yourself. When you can check out yourself, then you will
know where you are going. It’s a support system. Faith is a key. Love is also a
key. I’m a strong believer in faith, because it’s not everything that we know
and understand. In traveling the world, my strongest asset has been faith, and
belief that there is a God. I was brought up in very religious surroundings. I
was raised in the Pentecostal church; my mother was a missionary in the
Pentecostal church. So for me to create and sing a song like “God Watches over
Us” is natural for me.”
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