Maxayn

Maxayn was an American soul group of the 1970s. It consisted of the lead singer Maxayn Lewis, Andre Lewis, Emry Thomas, Marlo Henderson and Hank Redd. The group had a hit with "Check Out Your Mind". Maxayn released three albums on Capricorn Records between 1972 and 1974, which were distributed by Warner Bros Records.

History

The band took its name from the lead singer Maxayn Lewis (born Paulette Parker), former Ikette and wife of band keyboardist Andre Lewis. 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.

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

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

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.

In 1975, Maxayn signed to Motown but disbanded shortly after. Andre Lewis went on to record disco funk albums under the name Mandré.

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

Discography (US)