more from
On-U Sound
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Maximum Joy - Let It Take You There

from Sherwood At The Controls vol. 1 1979​-​​​1984 by Adrian Sherwood

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

about

Maximum Joy were formed out of the ashes of two legendary Bristol post-punk bands, The Pop Group and Glaxo Babies and continued those groups hybrid mix of diverse influences to produce a unique sound – funky but with raw serrated edges and political lyrics. They scored an underground hit with “Stretch”, worked with Nellee Hooper (pre-Soul II Soul) and Dennis Bovell (UK dub legend and one of the architects of lovers rock), and here recount their memories of working with Adrian:

Janine Rainforth (vocals/violin/clarinet): “The impact on me of encountering and working with Adrian was marked; his production skills are in a class of their own, he developed his own unique sound which had a clarity and edge to it that elevated music into a different realm, masterful. I would never turn down going to a Sherwood produced gig thereafter just to be transported by those sounds!”

Tony Wrafter (flute/saxophone/trumpet): “I was very fortunate to be invited to play saxophone for Adrian Sherwood. Pete Holdsworth approached me after a Maximum Joy gig in Brick Lane in 81, a benefit for East London Workers Against Racism, and introduced himself as the singer for On-U Sound band London Underground. He gave me the address of Berry Street Studios for the following day but he didn't mention that there was another sax player on the session - one Deadly Headley from The Wailers! With Headley on alto sax and myself on tenor we were cut into the same groove. I joined the crew there and then and went on to witness many memorable events over the following years with some of the most interesting characters imaginable. In return for my dedication Adrian was more than happy to mix for Maximum Joy. I remember him 'scratching' by queuing up the 2 inch tape on the 24 channel tape-recorder head-block and then manually, with literally one hand on each spool - turning the tape spools back and forth, making a very unusual musical 'scratching sound'. Years later when playing live sax over records in The Tunnel & Tube Clubs in Bristol with DJ Geoff Barrow (pre-Portishead), when he was still a B-Boy, he started scratching the vinyl and I thought where have I heard that before! Adrian Sherwood was a real inspiration for me and many others whom may or may not even know it! Gratitude & Blessings.”

Charlie Llewelyn (drums/percussion): “I remember Adrian's intensity, which was interesting and inspiring to me. I loved how he worked with the sound and chopped tape to make something much more interesting out of what we as musicians provided. It seemed like he was making an Adrian Sherwood track rather than a Maximum Joy track, but I've no problem with that!”

credits

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Adrian Sherwood UK

Adrian Sherwood built up a vast catalogue of music through the 1980s via his productions for his own On-U Sound label, which emerged from a fertile post-punk scene that was embracing Jamaican rhythms. In his capacity as a DJ and live sound engineer/dub controller, he connected with the likes of The Clash, The Slits, and The Pop Group. He's gone onto work with everyone from Lee Perry to Blur. ... more

shows

  • Apr 27
    Saint-Étienne, France

contact / help

Contact Adrian Sherwood

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Adrian Sherwood, you may also like: