Maxayn

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Maxayn
OriginLos Angeles, California United States
GenresR&B, soul, funk, pop
Years active1972–1974
LabelsCapricorn Records
MembersMaxayan Lewis
Andre Lewis (deceased January 2012)
Marlo Henderson
Emry Thomas

Maxayn was an American soul group of the 1970s. It consisted on the lead singer Maxayn, Andre Lewis, Emry Thomas, and Hank Redd. The group had a hit with "Check Out Your Mind".

Background[edit]

The band took its name from the lead singer Maxayn Lewis (born Paulette Parker), former Ikette and wife of band keyboardist Andre Lewis.[1][2] The band also included Marlo Henderson (guitar) and Emry Thomas (drums). Andre and Henderson had previously played on the 1970 Buddy Miles Express albums A Message To The People and Them Changes.[2] Maxayn released three albums on Capricorn Records between 1972 and 1974, which were distributed by Warner Bros Records. They signed to Manticore Records in 1975. A new single titled "Spirit Groove" was expected from their fourth album, but contractual issues derailed the project.[3]

Career[edit]

By Mid March, 1973, the group's second album, Mindful was released on Capricorn.[4] It had been getting some airplay on WKWC-FM in North Carolina.[5]

On the week ending June 2, 1973, their single "Check Out Your Mind" made its debut an no. 39 on the Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart.[6] It peaked at no. 35 on week two and spent a total of three weeks in the chart.[7][8]

The album would be bubbling under the Billboard 200. However, it earned a top 50 placement on the Soul Albums survey (Best Selling Soul LPs), peaking at no. 43 on the week ending June 16.[9][10][11]

Later years[edit]

Andre signed to Motown and recorded disco funk albums under the name Mandré.[12]

In 2017, Cherry Red Records released the compilation album Reloaded: The Complete Recordings 1972-1974.[12]

Discography (US)[edit]

Singles
Title Release info Year Notes
"Gimme Shelter" / "Song" Capricorn CPR 0009 1972
"Let Me Be Your Friend" / "Trying For Days" Capricorn CPR 0011 1972
"Check Out Your Mind" / "Good Things" Capricorn CPR 0017 1973 US R&B #35[13]
" Feelin'" / "Travellin'" Capricorn CPR 0026 1973
"Bail Out" / "Everything Begins With You" Capricorn CPR 0041 1974
"You Don't Have To Be Lonely" / "Moonfunk" Capricorn CPR 0077 1974 [14][15]
Vinyl albums
Title Release info Year Notes
Maxayn Capricorn CP 0103 1972 Billboard review (June 10, 1972)[16]
Mindful Capricorn CP 0110 1973 US R&B #43[17]
Bail Out For Fun! Capricorn CP 0125 1974 [18]

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Gangster of Love: Johnny Guitar Watson Vincent Bakker - 2009 Page 88 "In fact, this was an existing band, formed by Emry Thomas and Andre Lewis, called Maxayn. Watson became a member, Andre is still the leader. The band was named after Maxayn Lewis, singing member and then the wife of Andre Lewis, "
  2. ^ a b Bail Out For Fun: The Story of Maxayn!
  3. ^ "Cash Box R&B news report" (PDF). Cash Box: 30. October 18, 1975.
  4. ^ Billboard, March 17, 1973 - Page 1 Mindful is Maxayn's second Capricorn album
  5. ^ Billboard, March 10, 1973 - Page 25 Campus News, What's Happening SAM SUTHERLAND, PICKS AND PLAYS: SOUTH
  6. ^ Billboard, June 2, 1973 - Page 31 Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY for Week Ending 6/2/73, Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, This Week 39, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 1
  7. ^ Billboard, June 16, 1973 - Page 23 Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY for Week Ending 6/16/73, Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, This Week 36, Last Week 35, Weeks on Chart 3
  8. ^ Billboard, June 23, 1973 - Page 27 Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY for Week Ending 6/23/73
  9. ^ The Second Disc, February 1, 2018 - NEWS, Check Out Your Mind: Cherry Red, SoulMusic Collect Complete Recordings of Soul-Funk Band Maxayn BY JOE MARCHESE
  10. ^ Billboard, June 16, 1973 - Page 23 Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY for Week Ending 6/16/73, Billboard BEST SELLING Soul LP's, This Week 43, Last Week 44, Weeks on Chart 5
  11. ^ Billboard, June 23, 1973 - Page 27 Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY for Week Ending 6/23/73, Billboard BEST SELLING Soul LP's, This Week 46, Last Week, 43, Weeks on Chart 6
  12. ^ a b Donovan, Charles (February 28, 2018). "The Message Never Gets Old: Maxayn Lewis and the Maxayn Band". PopMatters.
  13. ^ "Soul Singles" (PDF). Billboard. June 9, 1973. p. 28.
  14. ^ Discogs - Maxayn Discography , Singles & EPs
  15. ^ Discogs - Maxayn - Discography
  16. ^ "Billboard Album Reviews: Special Merit Picks" (PDF). Billboard. June 10, 1972. p. 43.
  17. ^ "Soul LP's" (PDF). Billboard. June 16, 1973. p. 23.
  18. ^ Discogs - Maxayn Discography, Albums