Frankie Beverly and members of his group Maze were on hand in Philadelphia
last Thursday (June 29th) to be honored at the 2006 Rhythm & Blues
Foundation Pioneer Awards, which pay tribute to veterans of rhythm &
blues. The event, held at the Park Hyatt Bellevue, featured an impromptu
performance by Beverly as he accepted the group's award.
Beloved by fans for hits spanning three decades, including "We Are One,"
"Golden Time Of Day," "Happy Feelin's," and more, Maze and Beverly, the
group's lead singer, songwriter and producer, sold albums but rarely
reached the top of the charts. Beverly said what the honor means to
him: "Because we seldom get any sort of recognition in terms of awards,
this is such a big deal. Especially from Philly, cause we still are very,
very much a Philly group. So it's more than what I can put into words. And
I want to make it clear we have been rewarded richly. We don't get a lot
of awards but we have gotten more than enough rewards and it shows now.
This is very, very high point for us."
After being plagued by vocal problems for the past few years, Beverly says
that he is on the mend and the group plans to go back into the studio:
"Yes, yes, I've spoken to this in the past. I've had some voice problems
in the past, but they're actually coming along now. So I've been writing,
doing a lot of writing the last year or so. Look to actually get into the
studio before the year is out. And if the Lord's willing maybe early next
year something new will come. "
The most recent studio album by Maze was the 1993 release Back To Basics.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~mroyen/news.htm
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I'm so happy

i never realised it has been 13 years since the last album I'm ooooold

like frankie beverly without maaaze
muthafucka i count the dayyys

That is good news indeed.

We in The UK were blessed , until the Live In New Orleans album , they were unheard of (virtually) , the buzz surrounding that album and an announcement on radio to help sell tickets for their concert at the Hammersmith Odeon , meant the audience was filled with people who were blown away by the album , but knew very little else about the band.

It was just one of those nights , the live album incredible as it was , was bettered by the band and by god did the audience respond - you could see it in the faces of the band , they really didn`t expect an audience reaction like that (and I have only witnessed it twice since , with the Fatback band in the same venue and with a much slimmed down Sounds Of Blackness at this April`s Southport Weekender).

Maze were quite simply one of the most honest original and inspirational bands ever , their live albums for the most part eclipsed their studio albums , and to witness Frankie singing live was a religious experience.After their initial concert we in the UK were blessed for a few years when they kept coming back.

The only little gem I can offer you above the obvious is , "Can`t Get Over You"
from the "Silky Soul " album , little known , but beatifully sung and a true classic modern soul sound.

I saw them in concert a few years ago. Toni Braxton opened up for them. They put on a good show. Go see them if you ever get the chance.

That's great .

ThePunisher said:

I saw them once in 1991. wonderful experience, fantastic.

TheRainbowChild said:

Word!




oh man yesssss, "Can`t Get Over You" is one of my fave Maze songs gentle grooving bassline, subtle placed guitar licks, and as always Frankie's outstanding singing right on top

ThePunisher said:

was this before she was famous?

sosgemini said:

Actually, I caught them when Toni came out with her first album. She certainly was famous to a degree. Her debut album had just blown up, due to all the Babyface-produced tracks.
She opened up for MAZE here in Columbus, OH. I think it was '93.

my dad will be happy to hear that they're gonna do another record...

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Mine too...

live in new orleans is awesome!!