Here’s the 158th Mix Selection for F.S.V.B, It follows on from my Last Post, concerning the Great Frankie Beverly & Maze, Its been Mixed by DJ Diva, it Features some Great Maze Tracks, including amongst others: Joy and Pain, Before I Let You Go, We Are One, Silky Soul, and Back In Stride.
For a Full Track Listing and an In-Depth Feature on Frankie Beveley & Maze………..Go Here
Amazon.co.uk Widgets
Related articles
In this Series of Posts, I will writing about the Artist’s who are in My “Greatest Ever Soul Singer of All-Time” Poll.
The Group did not Last too long and by 1963, Frankie Beverly had Formed another Band by the name of “The Butlers”
During the Latter part of the 60’s the Band caught the Attention of Kenny Gamble, and went on to Record with Gamble.
But during 1970 another Name Change Happened, this time they Changed it to “Raw Soul”
By 1971 it was Decided that the “Raw Soul” Sound didn’t Suit the “Philly Sound” so Frankie Beverly and the Band Re-Located to California, where the Music was more Laid Back!
As the 70’s went by, the Band were soon Discovered by the Sister-in-law of Marvin Gaye, and soon after Marvin Gaye was using “Raw Soul” as his Opening Act while on the Road.
Marvin Gaye Loved the band but did not Like their Name, so he Persuaded Frankie Beverly to have another Name Change, and this time it Worked and by 1976 “Maze” had Signed for Capitol Records!
By 1977, Maze Released their Debut Album on “Capitol Records” called Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, it was to Start a Run of Success that had 8 Studio Albums Released over about a 16 Year Period, and all of them Attained “Gold Status”
The Album had 2 Single Releases that were “While I’m Alone” which Reached Number 89 on the US Pop Chart and Number 21 on the US R&B Chart and followed by “Lady of Magic” which Reached Number 108 on US Pop Chart and Number 13 on the US R&B Chart.
Over their Period of Success, Maze only had 2 Number One’s on the US R&B Chart, and they were “Back in Stride” in 1985 and “Cant Get Over You” in 1989.
My Favorite 2 Album’s by “Maze & Frankie Beverly” were “We Are One” in 1983 and “Cant Stop The Love” from 1985.
Maze were not a Big Recording Band, in fact they only ever Released 10 Albums and 2 of them were Live Recordings!
but they were by Far one of the Best Loved Bands, Especially in the U.K!
Amazon.co.uk Widgets
Related articles
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!
Funky-Soul-Vinyls-Blog 