Maximum Respect

Gregory Isaacs

One of the undisputed icons of roots reggae and lover's rock, Gregory Isaacs started singing in his trademark romantic ballad approach in the early 1970s. His smooth style earned him the moniker "Cool Ruler," and he became one of the most successful reggae artists in the world over the course of the '70s. By the mid-'80s, Isaacs was beset by personal and business problems, and even wound up in jail at one point. Though his output over the next couple of decades was not as consistent, he still provided plenty of evidence of his remarkable gift.