KINGSTON, Jamaica — In 1991 when American R&B/soul singer Roberta Flack was preparing to work on her sixth studio album, she called on reggae singer Maxi Priest to collaborate with her on a cover of Starship’s 1987 Billboard Adult Contemporary hit, Set the Night to Music.

Maxi and Roberta’s version reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Roberta her first top ten hit on that chart since 1982’s The Closer I Get to You with Donny Hathaway topped out at #2.

Flack, who died on February 24 at the age of 88, was remembered by Maxi Priest. In an interview with Observer Online, he recalled their initial meeting.

“Working with Roberta Flack on Set the Night to Music was one of the greatest experiences of my career! She is one of the most beautiful and kind-hearted people you could ever meet; an experience I will never forget and have carried it with me throughout my journey. Her professionalism was inspiring, and I’ve learned so much from her; her approach to creating music, her patience in working with me, and the way she nurtured the creative process. I also have to mention Arif Mardin, the producer of Set the Night to Music. They gave me the freedom to explore vocal arrangements without fear, creating an open space where mistakes were simply part of the process. Their encouragement meant so much, and I’ll never forget the time he invited me to his home for lunch. As we ate, he shared stories and showed me his many awards; what an incredible experience. RIP, King,” Maxi Priest shared.

He said his association with Flack gave him many valuable connections in the music industry.

“Through Roberta, I met so many great people, and those relationships continue to this day. Going to her home and being on tour with Roberta and her crew—whom I call family—was a blessing. Her energy radiated through the people around her, many of whom had worked with her for years. That speaks to the honesty, loyalty, and dedication she carried in her journey. Any artist or entertainer will understand how hard and lonely this road can be and finding people who truly get that is rare. When I think about Set the Night to Music, I think about its impact across all genres. What truly touches me is how deeply it connected with people around the world; especially across the Caribbean. That blessing opened so many doors for me, and it still does to this day. Just recently, I performed the song at the show Rebel Salute in Jamaica, and hearing the people sing along was a testament to Roberta’s legacy,” said Maxi Priest.

Maxi Priest continued, “When you speak about Roberta Flack, you must do so with the highest regard. She is one of the greatest legends of all time—not just of her generation, but for every generation after her and beyond. Roberta Flack will live on forever. RIP in Zion, my friend. Condolences to the Flack family, loved ones, friends and fans.”

Flack’s representative said in a statement to the media that the Grammy-winning singer died peacefully.

“She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator,” the statement read.

The cause of Flack’s death was not revealed.

Flack was battling several health challenges in the years leading up to her death. She publicly revealed she had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in late 2022. The progressive disease “has made it impossible to sing and not easy to speak”, Flack’s manager Suzanne Koga said in a release at the time. “But it will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon.”

Flack was born in North Carolina. As the daughter of a church organist, she learned how to play classic piano at a young age. When she turned 15, she got a scholarship at Howard University in Washington, DC, where her singing and piano talents were discovered. She was later signed to Atlantic Records Group.

Her best-known hits include the #1 hit The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face which catapulted her into stardom after Clint Eastwood used it as the soundtrack for a love scene in his 1971 movie Play Misty for Me.

Nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, she won three throughout her career. She also won back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year in 1973 and 1974. She was the first artiste to accomplish that feat.

She released 15 albums, her final one being the Beatles recital “Let It Be Roberta,” which came out in 2012.

Roberta Flack charted 18 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, three of which went to #1. She had more than two dozen hits on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, four of which were chart-toppers.

Her other popular hit songs in Jamaica include Killing Me Softly (With his song), which was introduced to a new generation of music lovers thanks to a faithful cover by The Fugees in 1996), Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You (with Peabo Bryson), The Closer I Get to You (with Donny Hathaway), Back together Again (also with Hathaway) and So it Goes.

Her 1977 album Blue Lights in the Basement featured the reggae-inspired track Fine, Fine Day, which was a gold-seller.

Flack resided in Jamaica for many years with her Jamaican boyfriend. She was also a close friend of the late reggae icon Bob Marley.

Asked what kind of person Flack was, Maxi Priest said “She was spiritual, deeply connected to culture, and carried a kindness that touched everyone around her. Caring, compassionate, and full of joy, she had a sense of humour that could light up any room. She was hard-working, dedicated to her craft, and always gave her best. More than that, she was a mother, a teacher, a friend—whatever you needed her to be, she was. Authentic, real, and truly one of a kind. Love you always Roberta.”

He shared that he was nervous the first time that he met the famed singer.

“I was nervous, but she soon made me feel comfortable and at home. There are so many stories I will never forget, but the first time I spoke to Roberta was truly unforgettable! I was living in my first house in Crofton Park, Southeast London, when the phone rang. My sister answered and then looked at me in disbelief, laughing, saying, ‘a lady on the phone says her name is Roberta Flack, and she would like to talk to you’. Me and my sister Rose looked at each other, thinking, someone’s having a laugh here. But I got on the phone, and in the softest, most welcoming tone, I heard, ‘hi, this is Roberta Flack. Could I speak to Maxi Priest?’ I replied, ‘yes’, and the rest was history in the making. Not long after that, when she came to England, she visited my home with her crew. My sister cooked for everyone, of course, full Jamaican vibes—pure culture, pure love. It was as if we had known each other for years. I treasured our friendship,” Maxi Priest confided.

— Kevin Jackson

File photo: Roberta Flack