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
The band took its name from the lead singerMaxayn 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
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
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]
^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, "
