What makes Best of Me by Maxi Priest notable?

The album features the hit single Wild World, which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S., propelling Priest into mainstream success. Best of Me not only showcases Priest's vocal talents but also highlights his ability to blend genres, influencing subsequent artists within reggae and R&B styles. Released in 1991, Best of Me marks Maxi Priest's fifth studio album and solidifies his position in the reggae fusion genre following the commercial success of his previous album, Fe Real. This album captures his rising popularity in the early '90s as he began to reach a broader audience beyond the UK.

Who is Best of Me for?

Best of Me works well if you're into smooth rhythms for relaxing evenings, warm melodies for intimate moments and nostalgic vibes for reflective listening.

How many songs are on Best of Me?

Best of Me has 16 tracks, running approximately 66 minutes.

Best of Me

Maxi Priest · 1991

66 min · 16 tracks · reggae

A smooth blend of reggae and R&B influences creates an inviting, soulful atmosphere throughout the album.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Wild World — This track stands out as it combines a classic Cat Stevens composition with Priest’s distinctive reggae flair, showcasing his vocal range and emotional depth.
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Close to You — The romantic undertones and smooth production make this track a quintessential example of lovers rock, highlighting Priest's ability to convey deep emotion through melody.
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How Can We Ease the Pain (Adam Mosely mix) — This remix adds a contemporary twist to a heartfelt ballad, demonstrating how Priest adapts his sound while maintaining lyrical authenticity about love and pain.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends reggae and R&B effectively but lacks strong cohesion in its sequencing.

What we noticed

The first five tracks maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the sixth track introduces a more upbeat rhythm.
Several tracks feature prominent horn arrangements that complement the smooth vocal delivery.
The album closes with a reflective tone, as the last three tracks slow down and emphasize lyrical introspection.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

smooth rhythms for relaxing evenings
warm melodies for intimate moments
nostalgic vibes for reflective listening
easygoing background for social gatherings
short tracks for casual enjoyment

Maybe skip if you

seeking intense musical experimentation
prefer fast-paced energetic sounds

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1991, Best of Me marks Maxi Priest's fifth studio album and solidifies his position in the reggae fusion genre following the commercial success of his previous album, Fe Real. This album captures his rising popularity in the early '90s as he began to reach a broader audience beyond the UK.
Stylistic neighbors: Shabba Ranks· Dennis Brown· Beres Hammond