Maxayn
{{Short description|American soul group}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image =
| caption = Lead Vocalist Maxayn Lewis with Maxayn Circa early 1970
| name = Maxayn
| origin = Los Angeles, California United States
| genre = R&B, soul, funk, pop
| years_active = 1972–1974
| label = Capricorn Records
| current_members = Maxayn Lewis
Andre Lewis (deceased January 2012)
Marlo Henderson
Emry Thomas
}}
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".
Background
The band took its name from the lead singer Maxayn Lewis (born Paulette Parker), former Ikette and wife of band keyboardist Andre Lewis.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, "[http://thefunkshow.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66:bail-out-for-fun-the-story-of-maxayn&catid=30:the-community&Itemid=68 Bail Out For Fun: The Story of Maxayn!] 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. 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.{{Cite journal|date=October 18, 1975|title=Cash Box R&B news report|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1975/CB-1975-10-18.pdf|journal=Cash Box|pages=30}}
Career
By Mid March, 1973, the group's second album, Mindful was released on Capricorn.Billboard, March 17, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-03-17.pdf Page 1 Mindful is Maxayn's second Capricorn album] It had been getting some airplay on WKWC-FM in North Carolina.Billboard, March 10, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-03-10.pdf Page 25 Campus News, What's Happening SAM SUTHERLAND, PICKS AND PLAYS: SOUTH]
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.Billboard, June 2, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-06-02.pdf 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] It peaked at no. 35 on week two and spent a total of three weeks in the chart.Billboard, June 16, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-06-16.pdf 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]Billboard, June 23, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-06-23.pdf Page 27 Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY for Week Ending 6/23/73]
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.The Second Disc, February 1, 2018 - [https://theseconddisc.com/2018/02/01/check-out-your-mind-cherry-red-soulmusic-collect-complete-recordings-of-soul-funk-band-maxayn/ NEWS, Check Out Your Mind: Cherry Red, SoulMusic Collect Complete Recordings of Soul-Funk Band Maxayn BY JOE MARCHESE]Billboard, June 16, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-06-16.pdf 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]Billboard, June 23, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-06-23.pdf 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]
Later years
Andre signed to Motown and recorded disco funk albums under the name Mandré.{{Cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/maxayn-lewis-interview-2540027973.html|title=The Message Never Gets Old: Maxayn Lewis and the Maxayn Band|last=Donovan|first=Charles|date=February 28, 2018|website=PopMatters}}
In 2017, Cherry Red Records released the compilation album Reloaded: The Complete Recordings 1972-1974.
Discography (US)
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Singles |
| scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Release info ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Gimme Shelter" / "Song"
| Capricorn CPR 0009 | 1972 | |
| scope="row" | "Let Me Be Your Friend" / "Trying For Days"
| Capricorn CPR 0011 | 1972 | |
| scope="row" | "Check Out Your Mind" / "Good Things"
| Capricorn CPR 0017 | 1973 |US R&B #35{{Cite magazine|date=June 9, 1973|title=Soul Singles|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-06-09.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=28}} |
| scope="row" | " Feelin'" / "Travellin'"
| Capricorn CPR 0026 | 1973 | |
| scope="row" | "Bail Out" / "Everything Begins With You"
| Capricorn CPR 0041 | 1974 | |
| scope="row" | "You Don't Have To Be Lonely" / "Moonfunk"
| Capricorn CPR 0077 | 1974 | Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/artist/386338-Maxayn?filter_anv=0&subtype=Singles-EPs&type=Releases Maxayn Discography, Singles & EPs]Discogs - [http://www.45cat.com/artist/maxayn Maxayn - Discography] |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Vinyl albums ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Release info ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |
| scope="row" | Maxayn
| Capricorn CP 0103 | 1972 |Billboard review (June 10, 1972){{Cite magazine|date=June 10, 1972|title=Billboard Album Reviews: Special Merit Picks|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1972/BB-1972-06-10.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=43}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | Mindful
| Capricorn CP 0110 | 1973 |US R&B #43{{Cite magazine|date=June 16, 1973|title=Soul LP's|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-06-16.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=23}} |
| scope="row" | Bail Out For Fun!
| Capricorn CP 0125 | 1974 |