Maxx Max, Maxx 2, The Maxx
Maxx is a German Eurodance project that achieved International success in the mid-'90s with the hit singles“Get-A-Way,” “No More (I Can’t Stand It)” and “You Can Get It.” The project was formed in Berlin, Germany in 1993 by music executive David Brunner (The Hitman) and music producer Jürgen Wind (George Torpey). By mid-1994, Maxx had quickly grown to become one of Europe’s new dance music sensations due to their creative mixture of ragga style rap, female singing and distinctive dancefloor beats. “Get-A-Way,” the debut Maxx single, featured vocals by rapper Gary Bokoe (Gary B.) and singer Samira Besic. For unknown reasons, Besic did not participate further in Maxx beyond recording vocals for the first single as a session singer. In Besic's place for the accompanying music video was dancer-model Alice Montana (real name: Eliz Yavuz). Montana lip-synced Besic's vocals for the accompanying music video and was falsely advertised as the voice behind the single. When the single was released on October 1993, it quickly became a Top 10-hit in Germany. It later took the Top-5 spot in the UK, Austria, Sweden, Netherlands and the Top-10 spot in Switzerland and Norway. The single was later certified Gold in Germany and Silver in the UK. By mid-1994, “Get-A-Way” reached a sum total of 1.1 million in European record sales. In response to the massive commercial success of “Get-A-Way,” plans were made for a second single, an album, new music videos and a massive marketing campaign throughout Europe. The quick departure of Besic from Maxx brought in her official replacement; British singer-songwriter Linda Meek who was discovered by the Maxx producers in early 1994. Meek recorded vocals for the second single “No More (I Can’t Stand It)” which also became a Top-10 hit like its predecessor. During the height of the popularity the two singles in mid-1994, Meek and Bokoe toured all over Western Europe and in Canada as a live duo act. The two performed live on popular music chart TV programs like Top of the Pops, Bravo TV, Dance Machine, Superclassifica Show and various MTV Festivals in Europe. Due to popular demand, the debut Maxx album “To The Maxximum” was released in June 1994. The album was a success in Scandinavia reaching No.10 in Sweden. The album also produced the third Maxx hit “You Can Get It” which ranked No. 21 in UK and No.13 in Finland. The final Maxx singles "I Can Make You Feel Like" and "Move Your Body" were released in Europe in 1995 before the group officially broke up late that same year.
