Maze, also known as Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly and Frankie Beverly & Maze, is an American soul band founded by Frankie Beverly in Philadelphia in 1970. Under its original name Raw Soul, the band moved to San Francisco and was introduced to Marvin Gaye. Gaye took the group on the road with him as one of his opening acts, and in 1976, he suggested that they change their name from Raw Soul.

Career

Frankie Beverly started the band as Raw Soul in 1970. They recorded a couple of singles on the small Gregar label, but without any major hits. With a few personnel changes, a move from Philadelphia to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1971, and an introduction to Marvin Gaye, the band became an immediate success. Their next recording was Live in New Orleans, three quarters of which was recorded at the Saenger Theatre, on November 14–15, 1980. Three of those songs were on the US R&B chart, including "Running Away", "Before I Let Go", and "We Need Love to Live". By that time, the band had a reputation in America and enjoyed a following in the United Kingdom with promotional support from the British DJ Robbie Vincent. In May 1985, Maze sold out eight nights at the Hammersmith Odeon.

The band released their next album, Can't Stop the Love in March 1985, On May 9, 2023, it was reported that due to a labor dispute with Beverly's management, long-time Maze band members, Jubu, Vance Taylor, Larry Kimpel, Calvin Napper and Daniel Weatherspoon along with original member Roame left and started their own group, TMF "The Music Forever" Formerly of Maze. However, Beverly remained and began performing with new band members hired via his management. Beverly hung up his microphone in July 2023 with his final two concerts being held fittingly in his hometown of Philadelphia at the Dell Music Center. Following Beverly’s retirement, the band formerly known as “Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly” plans to carry on as “Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly.” The new lead singer is Tony Lindsay, formerly of Santana.

On September 10, 2024, Frankie Beverly died from a heart attack while at home at the age of 77.

Discography

Studio albums

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|-

! rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Album

! colspan="4"| Peak chart positions

! rowspan="2"| Certifications

! rowspan="2"| Record label

|- style="font-size:smaller;"

! width="35"| US<br >

! width="35"| US<br >R&B<br />

! width="35"| UK<br>

|-

| 1977

| style="text-align:left" | Maze featuring Frankie Beverly

| 52

| 6

| —

| —

| style="text-align:left" |

  • RIAA: Gold

| rowspan="6"| Capitol

|-

| 1978

| style="text-align:left" | Golden Time of Day

| 27

| 9

| 83

| —

| style="text-align:left" |

  • RIAA: Gold

! width="35"| UK<br />