By 1982 Maze were Probably the Biggest Soul Band here in U.K, they had Sold out a 2 Night Stint at the Hammersmith Odeon, even though their Music was never played on Mainstream Radio and they had never appeared on British TV!
After the Success of the Tour, Maze returned home to start work on their New Album, by May of the following (1983) “We Are One” was Released, It was again on the Capitol Record Label, Produced by Frankie Beverly, but this was the First Maze Album, not to go Gold!
It Charted at number 25 on US Pop Charts and 5 on US R&B and 38 on UK Pop.
It contained 4 Singles with “Love Is The Key” being their Biggest Hit to Date.
I think “Love Is The Key” is my Favorite Maze Track of all time!
US POP, US R&B , UK
Love Is The Key 80 ——- 5 ——- 88
Never Let You Down 0 ——- 26 ——- 0
We Are One 0 ——– 47 —— 86
I Wanna Thank You 0 ——– 59 ——-0
During 1984 Maze had 3 Personel Changes, Phillip Woo, Keyboards, was replaced by Wayne Linsey.
Billy Johnson, Drums was replaced by Tony St James and Ron Smith, Guitar was replaced by Wayne Thomas, an Original Maze Member, who had left 4 years previous!
By March 1985 Maze Released their Last Studio for Capitol Records, the Result was “Cant Stop The Love” This turned out to be their first Number 1 Album (also went Gold) and their first Number 1 Single ” Back In Stride” on the US R&B Charts!
The Album Charted at Number 45 in US Pop and Number 41 in UK Charts, it contained 3 Singles (Chart Positions in brackets)
US POP, US R&B , UK
Back In Stride 88———1———79
Too Many Games 103——–5———36
I Want To Feel Im Wanted 0———28———0
By 1985 Maze were Recieving Great Promotional Support from UK Club DJ’s including Robbie Vincent, and during May, they Sold Out The Hammersmith Odeon, for 8 Nights Running!
I Believe Maze have appeared at The Hammersmith Odeon about 27 Times in total!
Around this Period of time Maze were Falling out with Capitol Records, Frankie Beverly saw Groups such as Earth Wind and Fire, Commodores all having Crossover Success, while Capitol were seen as not Pushing Maze enough to have a Commercial Hit Record!
The Outcome was, Maze were Contracted to Record one more Album for Capitol, So to get around this, Another Live Album was Recorded!
This was Recorded in 1986 in Los Angeles, It contained 9 Tracks, but 5 Tracks were included on the previous Live Album of only 3 years ago!
Apart from reaching Number 12 in US R&B Chart, other placings were modest to Mazes usual Standards!
It would be another 3 years before their next Album Release.
Download…… All of Maze’s Albums!
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