Maxus / Maxus

Year 2010 would be one of the best year for AOR/Westcoast music lovers who seeks for the masterpieces reissued CDs. VIVID Sound and Japanese major labels such as Universal Music, Japan and Sony Music would is now very active to rerelease AOR/Westcoast masterpieces remastered on HDCD, high-definition CD format with LP style mini paper sleeves this summer and coming autumn. The opener of the reissues is the best of the best AOR/Westocast gem, Maxus (1981).
Maxus is said to be another early 80's super-unit of LA firstcall session musicians, rivaled to TOTO. The group Maxus was: Jay Gruska (pianos, lead vocals), Robbie Buchanan (pianos, synthesizers, vocals), Mark Leonard (bass, vocals), Doane Perry (drums, vocals) and a young Michael Landau (guitars). You can listen to Jay Gruska's high-tone vocal and amazing guitar play of Michael Landau's and perfect combination of the other band members on this album. Sadly Maxus turned out to be a short lived experience, they released only one album. in 1999, the album had been once reissued in Japan but out-of-print for a long time.

• Label: Vivid Sound, Japan (Original: Warner Bros Records, USA)
• Release Date: July 21, 2010 (Original:1981)
• Producer: Michael Omartian
• Maxus:
  • Lead Vocals and Pianos: Jay Gruska
  • Painos, Synthesizers and Vocals: Robbie Buchanan
  • Bass and Vocals: Mark Leonard
  • Drums and Vocals: Doane Perry
  • Guitars: Michael Landau
• Additional Musicians:
  • Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
  • Synthesizers and Percussion: Michael Omartian
  • Background Vocals: Bill Champlin, Tommy Funderburk, Jennifer Williams
• Tracks:
  1. The Higher You Rise
  2. Nobody's Business
  3. What You Give
  4. Keep A Light On
  5. Your Imagination
  6. They Danced
  7. Part Of You
  8. Don't Try To Stop Me Now
  9. Where Were You

You should note that the reissues will continue. Bill Champlin, Marc Jordan and Steve Kipner follows in August. In September, more to come. Save your money for grabbing the masterpieces. As of today, CD Japan does not carry VIVID reissues. As you may aware, Amazon.co.jp and HMV.co.jp sells but their international shipping option is very limited and thus very expensive. As far as I found, YesAsia.com seems to be the best in terms of international shipping charges. Please click the below link if you are interested in buying Maxus and other VIVID reissues.