I adore Maze and Frankie Beverly.
I was in France, listening to as much black music as possible. Just going through CDs at the library. There was this Maze best-of and every single song was a hit to me. It was the late nineties and no one cared about Maze and Frankie Beverly, in France or in the US.
Those sweet bass lines. That straight simplicity. Those dope ass breaks. That silky voice. MAN
I listened to Maze a lot. I felt that their music was so good, it was probably inter-generational. That is, everyone from any age probably enjoyed that band. That feeling was real because yes, it was the case.
I learned fifteen years later how important it was in black family reunions. I slow danced over Joy & Pain with kids to aunties and grandmas a few times. It filled me with joy and pain to live what I had imagined.
And then it became a bit of a meme (cookout and before I let go; the iconic duo). And now Beyoncé covered it.
Maze never hit mainstream. It’s just too pretty, too soft and too soulful I guess.
How a 50 year old band has never and will never go (away). Timelessness. I love that.