MAXX (eurodance act)

MAXX
Origin Berlin, Germany
Genres Eurodance
Years active 1993–1995; 2017-present
Labels BMG Berlin (Hansa Records), Blow Up Records, Pulse-8 Records, Intercord
Website Official MAXX Website
Members Elyse (aka Linda Meek)
Elijah MC
George Torpey
David "The Hitman" Brunner
Past members Gary B.
Samira Besic
Alice Montana
Dakota O'niel
Dawhite

MAXX (short for MAX-imum X-tasy) is a '90s eurodance duo act best known for such hits as "Get-A-Way," "No More (I Can't Stand It)"[1] and "You Can Get It."[2] The act was formed in Berlin, Germany in 1993 by music executive David Brunner (aka The Hitman) and music producer Jürgen Wind (aka George Torpey). During MAXX's initial two-year run (1993-1995), the act itself went through noticeable changes with its female lead singers. By mid-1994, the group had become famous throughout Europe for their creative mixture of ragga style rap, female singing and distinctive dancefloor beats.[1] Their successful run was, however, short-lived and the group abruptly disbanded in late 1995.

22 years after the breakup, MAXX officially announced their return to live performing via their official website.[3] The duo act is now fronted by original MAXX vocalist Elyse (aka Linda Meek) and newcomer Elijah MC.[4]

Background

When the single "Get-A-Way" was released in October 1993, it quickly became a Top 10-hit in Germany and grew to become a popular dancefloor song in night clubs all over Europe.[5] It reached the Top-5 spot in the UK, Austria, Sweden, Netherlands and the Top-10 spot in Switzerland and Norway.[6][7] The single was later certified gold in Germany[8] and silver in the UK.[9] By mid 1994, "Get-A-Way" reached a sum total of 1.1 million in European record sales. The single featured vocals by rapper Gary B. and singer Samira Besic. For unknown reasons, Besic did not participate further in MAXX beyond recording vocals for the first single. In Besic's place for the accompanying music video was dancer-model Alice Montana. Montana lip-synced Besic's vocals for the accompanying music video and was falsely advertised as the voice behind the single. After an intense search in Germany for an official replacement for Besic, singer-songwriter Linda Meek (now known as Elyse) was discovered and brought into the act early in 1994. She recorded vocals for the follow-up MAXX single "No More (I Can't Stand It)" which also became a Top-10 European hit like its predecessor.[5][6][10]

MAXX quickly released an album titled "To The Maxximum" in June 1994.[11] The album produced another hit single "You Can Get It" that ranked No. 21 in UK [2] and No.13 in Finland. Later that year, MAXX recorded a song titled "Power of Love" which debuted on the "Bravo Dance X-Mas" compilation in November 1994.[12]

By early 1995, MAXX's commercial success had quickly begun to fade as the group struggled to produce new hit singles. The MAXX album track "I Can Make You Feel Like" was released as the fourth single in May 1995. It was a commercial failure and managed to only chart at No.56 in the UK.[6] Later that year, a non-album MAXX single, "Move Your Body" was released. It too failed to resonate with audiences while only performing well in Finland and Austria.[13] Due to the massive drops in record sales along with tensions within the group behind the scenes, MAXX quickly disbanded late in 1995.

MAXX reboot (2017)

In August 2016, MAXX vocalist 'Elyse' met with Wind and Brunner for the first time since the breakup in 1995. The three discussed the idea of relaunching MAXX with Elyse and an all new rapper. After an intense 3-month long search in the UK, Brighton-based rapper/singer 'Elijah MC' (Elijah Locke) was officially recruited into the act. According to the official MAXX website, European tour dates will be announced soon.[3][4]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
GER
[14]		 AUT
[15]		 FIN
[16]		 NETH
[17]		 SWE
[18]		 SWI
[19]		 UK
[6]
To The Maxximum
  • Released: June 22, 1994
  • Label: Blow Up
  • Formats: CD, Cassette, Vinyl
 22 32 6 25 10 29 66

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
GER
[5]		 AUT
[15]		 FIN
[16]		 FRA
[20]		 IRE
[21]		 NETH
[22]		 NOR
[23]		 SWE
[18]		 SWI
[24]		 UK
[6]
"Get-A-Way" 1993 11 3 5 15 8 3 8 3 8 4 To The Maxximum
"No More (I Can't Stand It)" 1994 10 9 2 16 11 6 8 4 12 8
"You Can Get It" — 25 13 28 — 32 — 37 — 21
"I Can Make You Feel Like" 1995 — — — — — — — — — 56
"Move Your Body" — 18 15 — — — — — — — Non-album single

References

  1. 1 2 "Germany: Hitmakers '94". Billboard Magazine. 1994-12-03. Retrieved 2016-07-29.
  2. 1 2 "Hits of the U.K.". Billboard Magazine. 1994-10-29. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  3. 1 2 "Official MAXX Website". Maxximum Music. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
  4. 1 2 "International Artists Holland (Dutch Booking Agency), 90s Artist profile,MAXX". Jacques Lejeune. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
  5. 1 2 3 "Charts.de: Maxx (Singles)" (in German). Charts.de. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Official Charts > Maxx". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  7. ↑ "Maxx: Get-A-Away". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  8. 1 2 "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Maxx)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  9. 1 2 "Certified Awards Search". BPI. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  10. ↑ "Maxx: No More (I Can't Stand It)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  11. ↑ "Discogs profile for (To The Maxximum)". discogs.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  12. ↑ "Discogs profile for (Bravo Dance X-MAS)". discogs.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  13. ↑ "Austrian and Finnish positions on the Single Move Your Body". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
  14. ↑ "Charts.de: Maxx (Albums)" (in German). Charts.de. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  15. 1 2 "austriancharts.at: Maxx". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  16. 1 2 Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 9789511210535.
  17. ↑ "GfK Dutch Charts: Maxx (Albums)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  18. 1 2 "swedishcharts.com: Maxx". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  19. ↑ "swisscharts.com: Maxx (Albums)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  20. ↑ "lescharts.com: Maxx (Singles)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  21. ↑ Search for Ireland peak positions
  22. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40: Maxx". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  23. ↑ ": Maxx (Singles)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  24. ↑ "swisscharts.com: Maxx (Singes)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
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