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MUSIC & PREFORMANCE REVIEW
By Sophia Beharrie, Music Educator & Classical Vocalist
April 21, 2006 Forum with guest artist: Maxidus at Piper High school, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Music by Maxidus is unique: quite unlike anything in the current popular idiom. His music is both lyric in an R & B style, while consistently holding to his Caribbean heritage. Although there are catchy rhythms and hypnotic melodies, most similarities stop there. His lyrics are complex. There is no babble or basic rhyming words, but complex sentence structure with carefully thought out text, often with a multiple meaning. This precision and attention to detail puts Maxidus in a class of his own.
Maxidus has a beautiful smooth tenor voice. He is able to stretch his upper range and comfortably use his falsetto, while also able to change dynamic intensity and vocal range instantaneously offering a sexy, sultry lower register. This speaks to his true understanding of the subtly of the human voice and of course to the formal classically trained musician he is.
The rhythmic and instrumental parts all written by him at first hearing appear to be fun, casual and straightforward. That is until further listening. When one stops listening on a superficial level and focuses on the structure, one is left breathless. The complexity of the individual instrumental parts is amazing. The panning from left to right, the harmonies, the echoing of a previous song’s motif, the layering of different voices and timbres speaks of an understanding of the classical fugue and variation made popular by Bach.
With Maxidus’ musical qualities firmly established one must move on to his performance ability. There is no lacking here. He is the consummate performer. A complete package. Not only does he give 110% at all times during performance, his dance ability is phenomenal! His training as both a professional athlete and a ballet dancer gives his ‘hip hop’ moves sharpness and clarity. While he does on occasion improvise and do free-style movement, his stage show is well produced, consistent and well rehearsed. This gives the performance a sense of polish. The intensity level is extremely high and remains consistent from the start to the finish of the show, often leaving the audience screaming for more!!!
Maxidus has it all. He is an extremely intelligent and competent musician, a talented vocalist and a phenomenal dancer. At 6’2”, with his runway model physique and commanding stage presence, he is the ultimate artist who will give all popular artists in his genre most definite competition. He is a force to be reckoned with!!!!
