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".

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

Background

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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  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