As I've gotten older, four things must happen to complete any given summer: 1) I must take a trip to Hains Point and watch the sunset; 2) I must have a burnt hotdog at somebody's cookout; 3) I must hear "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince towards the beginning of the summer; and 4) I must take a daytime cruise in my car with the windows down and listen to Maze & Frankie Beverly. That's how intrinsic this legendary group's music is to my life and they have sooooooo many good songs. "Happy Feelin's" gives you exactly that. "Southern Girl" was part of the reason that I swore up and down that I'd end up with a thick chick from below the Mason-Dixon line with the most irresistible accent ever. "Joy and Pain" is just real and dope. "Can't Get Over You" just takes me back to a good time in childhood. "Silky Soul" made me miss Marvin Gaye just like The Commodores' "Night Shift" did. Even lesser-discussed hits like "Love's on the Run" are memorable because they were just catchy and unmistakably Maze. Of course, "Before I Let Go"...well, you're just not Black if this song doesn't make you get up and dance. Like seriously...Henry Louis Gates needs to bring you on Finding Your Roots to question everything you ever knew about yourself.
