The world of R&B and soul owes a serious debt to Maze, which means giving the utmost respect to its founding member and lead vocalist, the late Frankie Beverly.
His passing a year ago today (September 10) at 77 really put into perspective how precious our time is, and the importance of “touching people everywhere” by simply spreading love. Frankie Beverly’s gift of harmony, with the talented band members of Maze, delivered classic jams our culture has enjoyed for decades at cookouts, graduation parties, and any chance we get together.
His voice is so deeply missed.
Releasing eight studio albums between the R&B golden eras of the late 1970s and early 1990s, Maze always managed to keep it smooth while finding the perfect element to set any mood. Kids today may associate them with a viral meme thanks to the TikTok revival of “We Are One” — you’ve seen the dance! — but this is a band with timeless hits and even deeper cuts. Each album packs gems, perfectly complementing singles like “Feel That You’re Feelin’,” “Back in Stride,” and the signature classic “Before I Let Go.”
Although their time in the game as active musicians came and went with grace, the impact of Maze on their successors and the entire music industry can be heard in the harmonies of others and instruments backing a major artist. Beverly himself performed with everything he had up to his last days, a testament to a soul that won’t soon be forgotten. To make sure of that, we threw together some of our favorite Maze b-sides for the occasion of remembering every aspect of an R&B icon and the band who made him.
Keep scrolling to get your jam on with some of our favorite deep cuts by Maze — rest in peace, Frankie Beverly! — and let us know if you have a few fave b-sides of your own:
“Time Is On My Side” (1977)Album: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
“I Need You” (1978)Album: Golden Time of Day
“Woman Is A Wonder” (1979)Album: Inspiration
“Happiness” (1980)Album: Joy and Pain
“Reason” (1981)Album: Live In New Orleans
“Your Own Kind Of Way” (1983)Album: We Are One
“Magic” (1985)Album: Can’t Stop the Love
“Freedom (South Africa)” [1986]Album: Live In Los Angeles
“Travelin’ Man” (B-Side to “Golden Time of Day”) [1978]Album: Southern Girl (1988 Compilation Album)
“Just Us” (1989)Album: Live In Los Angeles
“Love Is” (1993)Album: Back to Basics
“Laid Back Girl” (12″ Promo Remix) [1993]Album: Laid Back Girl (12″ Single)
“Twilight” (1994)Album: Live In London [Released in 2003 on DVD in The UK]
“The Morning After” (1996)Album: Live In Philly [Not Sold In Stores]
“Teach Each Other” (2001)Album: The Brothers: Music From The Motion Picture (Various Artists)
“I Want To Feel I’m Wanted” (12″ Extended Edit) [Previously Unreleased] (1986)Album: Classic Masters (2003 Compilation Album)
“Joy And Pain (Lifelines Remix)” [with Kurtis Blow; Originally recording in 1989]Album: Joy And Pain: The Lifelines Remixes (Released in 2021)
“Joy & Pain (M+M Mix)” (mixed by John Morales)Album: The M+M Mixes (2021 Compilation Album)
“Love’s On The Run” (2020 Extended Mix)Album: Funky Soul Brothers (Various Artists)
“Before I Let Go” (Rare 12″ Version) [1982]Album: Before I Let Go / Golden Time Of The Day (12″ / 33 ⅓ RPM Single; London stage debut at the Hammersmith Odeon)
[efb_feed fanpage_id=”BlackCosmopolitan” words_limit=”25″ post_limit=”1″ skin_id=”115759″ cache_unit=”1″ cache_duration=”days” live_stream_only=”0″ load_more=”0″ links_new_tab=”1″ show_like_box=”0″]
Disclaimer:
For Education and discussion purposes. Please note no copyright infringement is intended, was recorded on BlkCosmo’s own equipment, and we do not own nor claim to own any of the original recordings used in this video and intend to use this as ‘fair use’.
