In the beginning there was The Pop Group, white Bristolian boys who played a wildly distorted brand of funk before it was deemed fashionable. From the ashes of The Pop Group came Pigbag, Rip, Rig & Panic and Maximum Joy.

Formed in 1979, Maximum Joy was originated by Janine Rainforth (singer /violin/clarinet) and Tony Wrafter (saxophonist/trumpeter, previously of another Bristol band, Glaxo Babies). Other founder members were Charlie Llewellin (drums, previously of Glaxo Babies), John Waddington (guitar, previously of Pop Group) and Dan Catsis (bass, previously of Pop Group and Glaxo Babies).
In the wake of the infamous Pop Group and taking from the hot bed of musical influences driving the scene at the time, the band developed their own unique version of the post-punk Bristol sound. Their groove combined punk, reggae, soulful jazz and wild impr_ov with daring and often panache... it hits the spot, as much now as it did then, 20 years ago... and the beat goes on.......
Fuelled by Thatcherism, inner city race riots and growing protest amongst young and old, Maximum Joy’s songs and melodies were about getting conscious and waking up to life, « …stay positive, stay plus, pulsate, pulsate no terminate, no end, it’s only just beginning… » ('Stretch')
They were quickly signed by Y Records, distributed by Rough Trade. Maximum Joy’s first single 'Stretch' came out in 1981 and was a big underground seller in Europe, Japan and the States. It made it into the NME Indie charts, the (NYC)`99' Records disco re-mix became an underground Post Punk/Funk classic in the fashionable night clubs of New York.

The band’s next single 'White and Green Place' was on the surface a funky, fun number but underneath the theme reflected on the soul-lessness of image, shallowness perceived in modern living of the day. The production was orchestrated by maestro Dick O’Dell, string quartet and all. The B-side’s sentiments, like many of the band’s songs, are as relevant today as they were then. "Building Bridges" is a song about something simple yet fundamental - building bridges between man & woman, man & man, country & country, to ultimately arrive at peace…need we say more.

Kev (Ebo) Evans joined as bassist and the band went on to record the jazzy, ethereal " In the Air" illustrating the intangible yet all-permeating effect of feelings sparked by inspiration and translated into sound.

Then, in 1982, the band brought out their LP, 'Station MXJY', featuring white funk interludes and reggae influenced ballads, it was overseen by producer extraordinaire, Adrian Sherwood.
Soon after, new addition Nellee Hooper arrived punctuating the Max Joy sound with unique disco sound of the early 80’s, the syn drum and Jermey Hirsch blew in with his horny horns. They both played on `Man of Tribes`, produced by producer and prolific musician in his own right, Dennis Bovell. He dug the song so much that he added his dulcit vocals to the track too, contributing to making it one of the best tracks the band recorded.
John Peel was a fan of Maximum Joy, they recorded a couple of BBC Radio 1 Peel sessions for him and they went on to tour Europe extensively.

Crippled Dick Hot Wax! proudly presents all singles and 12's formerly released on Y Records, including some album tracks on CD (digipak) and a limited double vinyl edition.

Tracklist:
1. white & green place 12“
2. in the air 7“
3. buliding bridges 12“
4. simmer till done 7“
5. stretch (99 records version)
6. where’s deke?
7. silent street
8. man of tribes 12“
9. searching for a feeling
10. all wrapped up!
11. dancing on my boomerang

Details:

Artist: Maximum Joy
Title: Unlimited (1979-1983)
Release-Date: 28th October 2005
Catalog-No. : CDHW 101
Label: Crippled Dick Hot Wax!
Distribution: Alive (Germany), MDM (Worldwide)