Maxine Brown
Maxine Ella Brown is a notable American soul and R&B singer, born on August 18, 1939, in Kingstree, South Carolina. She developed an interest in music at an early age, beginning her singing career as a child. Her early performances included singing gospel music with two New York City-based gospel groups, which laid the foundation for her future in the music industry.
In her teens, Maxine Brown transitioned from gospel to secular music, performing with various groups and eventually embarking on a solo career. She is recognized for her emotive vocal style, which garnered her significant attention in the mid-1960s. Some of her most famous hits include "All in My Mind," and "Oh No Not My Baby, " which showcased her ability to convey deep emotion through her performances.
Rise to Stardom
Nomar Records (1960): Her debut single, "All in My Mind," written by herself, became a major R&B hit (peaking at #2) and a pop crossover hit (#19). "Funny" followed, reaching #3 on the R&B charts.
ABC-Paramount (1962): A brief stint yielded minor singles but no major hits.
Wand Records (1963): This became her most successful label, known for its "uptown soul" sound.
Wand Records & Major Hits (Mid-1960s)
Solo Success: "Oh No Not My Baby" (written by King & Goffin) was a pop #24 hit in 1964, with "It's Gonna Be Alright" also charting.
Duets with Chuck Jackson: Their duet "Something You Got" reached #10 on the R&B charts.
She was known for her rich voice, with backing vocals from Cissy Houston and the Sweet Inspirations (later Elvis's backups) and songwriting from Ashford & Simpson.
Throughout her career, Brown has been influential in the soul and R&B genres, and her contributions have made her a respected figure in American music history. Her work not only reflects her individual talent but also highlights the rich musical culture of the time in which she flourished
Greatest Hits
Written-By – Johnson, Kirkland, Brown
2:34
A2 Oh No, Not My Baby
Written-By – Goffin-King
2:35
A3 Funny
Written-By – S. Taylor
2:20
A4 We Can Work It Out
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
2:27
A5 It's Gonna Be Alright
Written-By – Goffin-King
2:35
A6 Ask Me
Written-By – Brenda Bruno, Tony Bruno
2:59
A7 I Don't Need Anything
Written-By – Pockriss, Vance
3:05
A8 Anything For A Laugh
Written-By – Stone, Levenson
2:42
B1 If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody
Written-By – Rudy Clark
2:13
B2 Since I Found You
Written-By – E. Townsend, M.Brown
2:54
B3 One Step At A Time
Written-By – Armstead, Ashford, Simpson
2:03
B4 Little Girl Lost
Written-By – Harrison, Dixon, Turner
2:06
B5 I've Got A Lot Of Love Left In Me
Written By – Killem
2:06
B6 One In A Million
Written-By – Rudy Clark
2:59
B7 Soul Serenade
Written-By – Ousley, Dixon
2:40
Label: Wand – WDS 684
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1967
Genre: R&B Soul, Blues, Pop
Style: Sixties Soul, Vocal
Maxine Brown's Greatest Hits is a classic soul and R&B compilation album, primarily from 1967 (Wand Records), showcasing the underappreciated singer's powerful voice through hits like "Oh No, Not My Baby" and "All in My Mind," featuring uptown arrangements, duets with Chuck Jackson, and tracks produced by Otis Redding, offering a journey from girl-group pop to early funk.
Features her deep, soulful vocals set against sweet, uptown arrangements, creating a distinctive sparkle.
Includes iconic tracks such as "Oh No, Not My Baby," "All in My Mind," "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody," and "One in a Million". Contains four memorable duets with fellow soul singer Chuck Jackson, like "Something You Got".
Features some tracks (like "Baby Cakes") produced by the legendary Otis Redding. The collection spans from girl-group-style pop to more emerging '70s funky soul.
Collects essential recordings from her time with the Scepter-Wand organization in the early 1960s, capturing a definitive sound of that period. Highlights Brown as a highly skilled R&B vocalist often overshadowed by contemporaries like Dionne Warwick.
Essentially, it's a comprehensive collection of a phenomenal but under-recognized vocalist's finest work from her peak years. The album is often paired with her earlier 1965 release on CD, such as the Spotlight On/Greatest Hits compilation released by Kent Records.