On his first American album, British reggae star Maxi Priest presents himself as the Luther Vandross of reggae. Extravagantly produced and brimming with velvety vocals, this album is unabashedly urbane.

Priest makes up for his lack of rebel ardor with the sheer mellifluousness of his singing. His covers of "Some Guys Have All the Luck" and Cat Stevens's "Wild World" are executed with such earnest and yearning soulfulness that it's easy to forgive the slightly hokey choice of material. Of the new tunes, by far the best is "Marcus," a homage to the legendary black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey.

Priest receives smoldering support from Robbie Shakespeare and Sly Dunbar, the definitive reggae rhythm section. Shakespeare's menacingly rumbling bass on "It Ain't Easy" provides the album's sole note of real danger. But for the most part, it's clear that danger doesn't interest Priest. His tender reggae seeks not to incite but to soothe and beguile. More often than not, it succeeds. (RS 546)

DAVID KISSINGER