WE ARE ONE

Maze: Frankie Beverly, Wuaneg Thomas (guitar); Wayne "Ziggy" Lindsay (keyboards, synthesizer); Roame Lowry (congas); Robin Duhe, Ron Smith , Sam Porter, Billy Friday Johnson, McKinley Williams, Philip Woo. Personnel: Frankie Beverly (vocals, keyboards, drums, percussion); Ron Smith (guitar); Sam Porter (organ, keyboards); Philip Woo (keyboards); Robin Duhe (bass guitar); Billy Johnson, Billy Friday Johnson (drums); Roame Lowry, McKinley Williams (percussion, background vocals). Audio Mixer: David Cole. Audio Remasterer: Evren G?knar. Liner Note Author: David Nathan . Recording information: The Automatt Recording Studios, San Francisco, CA. All tracks have been digitally mastered using 24-bit technology. Photographer: Mika Hashimoto. Arranger: Frankie Beverly. Released in 1983, WE ARE ONE continues in the vein of Maze's smooth, positive R&B. The vehicle of singer, songwriter, and producer Frankie Beverly, Maze epitomized the seductive urban pop of the early '80s, even as Beverly's silky croon recalled the style of Marvin Gaye. Though not quite as commercially successful as the group's previous releases, this outing still spawned four charting singles, and, musically, finds Beverly and co. at the top of their game. As a lyricist, Beverly is dedicated to disseminating a message of peace and brotherhood. This intent is particularly apparent on "Love Is the Key" and "I Wanna Thank You." Whether documenting the joys and travails of romantic love or offering a lesson on universal human acceptance (as on the title track), Beverly wears hope on his sleeve in a way that impresses with its sheer honesty. The stirring ballads and tightly knit, lite-funk grooves don't hurt either, and the whole proves why Maze was one of the most popular R&B acts of its time.