UK music legends Robin Trower, Maxi Priest and Livingstone Brown have come together to collaborate on a new album aptly called United State of Mind.

After a chance meeting in Livingstone Brown’s studio in Brixton, London, this unlikely trio hit it off.  They are influenced by soul and gospel, have a deep appreciation for music sharing a passion for all genres.

Singer/songwriter Maxi Priest, (Close To You, Wild World, and the album Bonafide) has been a regular fixture in reggae music for decades with his dulcet tones setting him apart from many who say they can carry a reggae tune.

Guitarist Robin Trower, (Bridge of Sighs) skills have been sought from the best producers around while producer/mix engineer and musician Livingstone Brown (Tina Turner, Kylie Minogue, Corrine Bailey Rae, The Waterboys, Bill Withers) continues to set the bar high.

Born just two miles apart, Robin in Catford and Maxi in Lewisham along with Livingstone from Nottingham, these men come from humble beginnings and have gone on to enjoy glittering worldwide careers.

Maxi Priest has been a pioneer for the UK, achieving several top ten hits at home and worldwide including the US Billboard charts. He’s had numerous number one hits and has also received multiple Grammy nominations, selling millions of singles across the world. 

Not a stranger to duets and crossing genres, Maxi and Roberta Flack’s timeless classic Set the Night to Music achieved top 10 status on three of Billboard’s charts.  In 1993, Maxi also teamed up with jazz guitarist Lee Ritenoir on Waiting in Vain which found Maxi at number one on the Billboard Jazz Charts.  

Robin Trower’s album Bridge Of Sighs has sold millions of albums worldwide.  It is Trower‘s passionate guitar playing that has influenced so many young people to pick up a guitar and learn to play. In the ’90s Livingstone played in Robin’s band and co-produced Robin’s highly rated 20th Century Blues album.  

In addition to being a session and touring musician during the 80s and 90s, he has also worked with artists such as Maxi Priest, ED Sheeran, The Waterboys, Meridith Brooks, The Climax Blues Band, Tina Turner, Bryan Ferry, Kylie Minogue, David Grant, Yazz, De La Soul, ABC and Bill Withers. 

So, when Livingstone Brown, wryly suggested, ‘Why don’t we write a song together?’ Robin and  Maxi thought why not? If you’re a multi-million record selling, award-winning artist who’s been there and very much done it all, why not try something totally different?

Robin, Livi and Maxi went even further, striking up a very productive joint songwriting partnership that quickly developed into  United State of Mind.

Each song showcased Maxi’s trademark silky, soulful vocal tone, and of course Trower’s soulful and skillful, passionate playing, along with Livingstone’s ‘midas’ touch.  United State of Mind is nothing short of a masterpiece and is as unique as the three legends that have created it.

Listening to United State of Mind, one will discover it is not just an intriguing curiosity for fans and collectors. Both Maxi, Livi, and Robin have done an exceptional job at extending the hand of collaboration successfully, whilst simultaneously stamping their own unique trademarks throughout.

Neither reggae nor rock, the results are a commercial, vibey album. Check it out.