Maxi Priest Returns With New Studio Album

With over 15 million albums sold worldwide, a No. 1 U.S. Billboard hit and a Grammy nomination, the most successful solo act in British reggae history Maxi Priest returns with his brand new studio album Easy To Love on VP Records available June 10th, 2014.

The new album is a fine representation of lovers' rock, an effortless blend of reggae, R&B and dancehall with universal appeal.

The sophistication he brings to these tracks is the mark of true quality. His delivery and phrasing are impeccable, and his choice of material and collaborators are strategic and brilliant.

Lead single "Easy To Love" was a No. 1 hit on reggae charts last summer, evidence that Maxi Priest has a gift for staying fresh.  

The song features the legendary Jamaican drum and bass duo Sly & Robbie, who've played on some of Maxi's biggest hits, including "Wild World," "Some Guys Have All The Luck," "Close To You," and "Housecall" (featuring Shabba Ranks) as well as the new album track "Every Little Thing." 

Maxi's been tugging on women's heartstrings ever since the mid-80's. New and long-term fans alike will relish hearing irresistible tributes of enduring affection like "Loving You Is Easy," "Holiday," "Still In Love," and "Gravity" written originally by John Mayer. 

The soulful "Without A Woman" features Jamaican legend Beres Hammond and even echoes the themes and intensity of James Brown's "It's A Man's Man's Man's World." 

There are many more highlights on the Easy To Love. While "Hearts Across The World" is a song for our times and pleas for people of all races to love one another, other tracks like "Fire In The Skies" simply defy categorization and are living proof of Maxi Priest's musical versatility." 

The delicate, aching need of "Angel Wings" also demonstrates just how far reggae has evolved in the new era. Maxi Priest says "this album is about time, and a moment," and with his most refined and chic collection to date, his timing could not be better.

Farmer Nappy Launches New Album Big People Party

Internationally-acclaimed Trinidadian soca star Darryl “Farmer Nappy” Henry officially launched his new album Big People Party to a full-capacity crowd at legendary New York City concert venue Sounds Of Brazil (S.O.B.’s), on April 13, 2014.

His third, full-length studio effort Big People Party was released worldwide in stores and online on February 25, 2014 from FOX FUSE, but since it was in the midst of Trinidad’s Carnival season, Farmer was only now able to journey to the media capital of the world, New York City, to promote his new album to media and fans there.

Presenting a soca showcase and a free event at that, Farmer breaks new ground for soca music and the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, as he takes full aim at exposing soca to the masses and capturing his spot in the limelight, in the North American market.  

“I am extremely grateful for all the support you have shown me over the years and I thank you very much for coming out to support me and my album tonight,” Farmer Nappy told the S.O.B.’s crowd. He was backed by a stellar session band that includes some of the top producers in soca music, including Scott Galt of De Red Boyz on guitar, Shawn “Mr. Roots” Mitchell of WIZ Records on bass, Darien Bailey of Studio B on keyboard and Melvin Alick on drums. The live-band performance brought down the house as fans followed Farmer word-for-word through his hit-filled catalog, which spans 30 years and counting. 

He ran through the gamut of tunes, from his breakout hit “Chippin’,” to crowd favorites such as “Surrender,” “You Make Me,” “Minglin’,” “Stranger,” “Flirt,” to classics like “Music Farm” from his Xtatik days, then concluded the hour-long set with his current blockbuster “Big People Party,” which placed second in Road March and third in the International Groovy Soca Monarch at this year's Trinidad Carnival. Farmer was also joined on-stage by dancehall icon Lady G, for an impromptu rendition of their collaboration “Surrender Remix,” much to the crowd’s delight. 

A concept event for soca music, this album launch was completely free as it provided the opportunity for Farmer Nappy to give back to his longtime fans, and to also expose and market his music to the mainstream audience. It was hosted by Toronto-based radio personality and soca aficionado Dr. Jay, while music was provided by the international alliance of soca deejays known as Team Soca, with deejay sets from Freeze International, D Soca Boyz, Spoil Brattz and anchored by DJ Spice of NYC’s Power105.1 FM. 

The showcase concluded with an album signing session and meet and greet with fans. Farmer Nappy merchandise was on sale all night long, including various t-shirts, albums, wrist bands and posters. In addition to soca and Caribbean press, mainstream media houses also attended the showcase, including journalists from Billboard Magazine, The FADER Magazine and LargeUp.com. Video coverage was provided soca promoter, JuliansPromos. 

Farmer Nappy was busy making the promotional rounds while here in New York City. He was interviewed on Wee Radio 87.7FM by Ian “The Goose” Eligon, on Irie Jam Radio 93.5FM by DJ Roy, on Randy's Reggae Radio by The Bajan King, on TeamSoca.com by DJ Spice, and on several local soca radio stations across Brooklyn, which have the ears of soca fans on the streets of New York. He now takes off on a packed touring schedule, which will bring him to audiences all across the Caribbean and the world in months to come, as he continues his mission of bringing soca music to the worldwide massive.