Maxus (1981) Posted by Ron Dugone on 5:30 PM

Produced by Michael Omartian.  Maxus members: Jay Gruska/Piano, Lead Vocals.  Robbie Buchanan/Pianos, synthesizers, vocals.  Mark Leonard/Bass.  Doane Perry/Drums.  Michael Landau/Guitars.  Additional Musicians:  Paulinho da Costa/Percussion.  Michael Omartian/Keyboards.  Bill Champlin, Tommy Funderburk/Background Vocals.

The super group that never was to be.  Maxus was like the second coming of Toto, but alas, they only recorded this one album.  Most of the musicians would go on from Maxus to studio fame.  Michael Landau was roughly the Steve Lukather equivalent in the group, and he does some mighty fine work here.  Jay Gruska provided the lead vocals which were well suited for the music.  Robbie Buchanan was simply brilliant.  My favorite cuts: "The Higher You Rise," "What You Give,"They Danced."  (This is a Top Ten WestCoast Classic)