The new MAP EP ‘Four Stories’ is finally available after much deliberation… There are 4 tracks on the CD ‘Evensong’, ‘Carillon’, ‘Four Stories’ and ‘Reel for Eric’. You can get it through the shop page on this site using secure paypal and it’s just £3.50 (need I say it makes a perfect stocking filler?). There are some audio excerpts on the mp3 page too.

I’m working at making it available as a download too and will update with news as and when.

Thanks to all those involve, obviously Pete, Nils Edstrom, Jane Austin, Nicky and Pete at Think Digital Print in Oakham, and 1 Sonic in Brighton.

While i’m thanking people thanks to those who braved the cold to come to the Max and the Mexicans show at the Latest Music Bar in Brighton at the end of November, many thanks also to Prince Harry and the Laylanas.

Exciting news in the pipeline, it looks as if an album is finally scheduled to be recorded and there are new tour dates to be announced as soon as we have them for late spring/early summer.

Max

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November the 25th i’ll be performing live with my band for the first time since May. We’ll be at the Joogleberry Theatre Brighton (now known as the Latest Music Bar) on Tuesday 25th Nov - I probably already said that. We will be billed (for the first time) as ‘Max and the Mexicans’ and there will be lots of new songs. So there! Also playing will be my friends the Laylanas plus support from Prince Harry. Admission is just £5. I’ll put more details on the gigs page when i’ve done this.

We are just tying up the last odds and ends before releasing a new MAP CD - handily just in time for Xmas! It is a 4 track EP entitled ‘Four Stories’ - the tracks being ‘Evensong’, ‘Carillion’, ‘Four Stories’ and ‘Reel for Eric’. The provisional release date is the 10th of November via the website only to begin with and then via downloads too.

Had another great gig with Bushwalla in London last week, he has another couple of dates before flying back to the States - try and catch one if you can, the show is a lot of fun. By the way congratulations to Dave and Celia on the marriage last weekend and good luck to do Harry and Lou for this weekend!

Max

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So this week has had an international flavour - if you include the Isle of Wight… Work is nearing completion on Manu Larrouy’s debut album (to be released on Motown France) which i’ve been involved with over the last 3 months. Working with Manu has been a great experience and his album will be massive wherever French is spoken. On Tuesday we had a last minute session with me on the vibes, an instrument I never would have thought i’d have an album credit for!

On Thursday Bushwalla blew into town and after a quick coffee (and a rehearsal) we rocked the Komedia in Brighton opening for Two Spot Gobi. This was my first live show since injuring my hand so I was pleased to get back in the saddle once again. Bushwalla has another UK show - headlining in London on October 21 at the Enterprise in Camden and i’ll be playing bass for him once again. Check bushwalla.net for more info.

And then on Friday it was across the Solent to the IOW to spend some time with the future of the music industry in the company of the students from Platform One. It was a privilege to speak to you all and thankyou for the wonderful reception you gave me.

So to this week which sees the return of my lounge covers band “Gregorys Sofa” - we are playing at the Duke of Norfolk in Brighton on Thursday night from about 9ish, and as always it should be a lot of fun. And hopefully a return to the squash court in anger…

Max

So I can finally type at a relatively acceptable speed so here is the news… I managed to injure  my hand last Monday evening in a highly bizarre accident but very fortunately I have no long term damage. My hand is still pretty swollen and sore at the time of writing but the stitches are out and it’s very much on the mend. Unfortunatley I had to cancel both the Brighton show last week (many thanks to Baldy for stepping into the breach) and will not be able to perform this Sundays show at the Stables in Milton Keynes - both in support of Brian Kennedy. As soon as there are confirmed dates for subsequent shows I’ll let you know.

In the meantime i’m off for physio…

Max

due to injury i will not be able to perform at the brian kennedy show in brighton on thursday. many apologies to those who planning to attend. i expect to be fit to play at the show in milton keynes on the 28th however….

max

STOP PRESS  -  I’ll be supporting Brian Kennedy (Irish songwriting legend) for three dates on his forthcoming tour. The shows are in Bilston (outside Wolverhampton), Brighton and Milton Keynes. I’ve put details up on the ‘Gigs’ page and will update with details of tickets and stage times as soon as I can.

I became an uncle for the first time on the 8th of the 8th of the 8th! Alexander Benjamin was born at 9.01 pm weighing 8lbs 10oz. Well done Ben and Jo!

The following day I had a session with Uganda’s premier artists “Da Twinz” for a BBC TV drama scheduled for broadcast in 2009. This was a lot of fun despite the various trials and challenges of the day. My good friend Craig Pruess was producing and my hat goes off (or should I say helmet) to him for his Stirling Moss impression in the wilds of Wiltshire to get me to the train station in time last Wednesday!

Also been working on a Prince Fatty remix for Natty with Mike P, Horseman and Bubblers. This is the second remix we have done for Natty - the first “July” has been getting quite a bit of airplay.

Congratulations also to my friends Adam and Sarah who announced their engagement this week. Looking forward to celebrating with you later today! x

Max

Firstly apologies to you my faithful blogistas for my lack of input these last few weeks. But finally I find myself with a few moments on holiday sitting in an internet cafe called Q-bar sipping a cup of tea looking at the wind and rain through the blu-tak smeared window….

Soon i’m hoping to post some video footage from the shoot with the band at the end of May and there will also be more news soon of a solo tour i’m co-headlining called “From Nashville to Songville” which starts late September. Dates and details as soon as I have them.

Work on the follow up Prince Fatty album is almost completed - recent sessions with Little Roy, Winston Francis, Dennis Al Capone and Horseman have been amazing and there will be some special flavours on the next Fatty album for you to enjoy. The Prince Fatty band is taking it on the road too - we have a show in Thailand in December (its a hard life I know…) and more live work in the pipeline.

I’m also very excited about becoming an Uncle! Any time now…

Battery almost flat - gotta go

Max

This weekend had more of it’s usual share of thrills and spills as my band and I have been shooting a live video plus the recording of a live EP. I spent Friday setting the stage, co-ordinating various elements required for the recording (projectors, lighting, food and beer deliveries!) as well as taking not a passing interest in bassist Paul Powell’s incident filled journey from Malta to Brighton. Despite a few trials and tribulations we managed to film the live show - if an hour late - before Paul had to race off to Paris for another show… Video is currently being edited and there will be some audio for your delectation as soon as I can physically organise it.

So - to the role call of thanks. First the band who worked so hard:- Steve Allsworth, Paul Powell and Adam King, the video team - Tom Rochester and his crew, pro-tools and cowfoot by Brother Pelanconi, Paul Harrison for his conceptual help and the Giant MAX (!), Will Matthews for the projector, Jim for his video footage, Paul Smith for staying awake long enough to take some photos (and giving me a bed for the night - see below), Sarah for asking the questions, all at Scream studios for their help and support - especially when I discovered my keys had gone to London, Gio at Country Wines for helping me out with the beer for the thronging masses, and lastly - everyone who came down to support on the day and make ut feel like a real gig.

There is lots of other good news on the way - as soon as I have recovered will post again…

M

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Well it’s been a busy time since my last post, almost feel like my feet haven’t touched the floor… Firstly congratulations to ‘Proxmity Effect’ who were the winners of the Wight Noize competition which I had the pleasure to sit on the panel. Some great young bands on the Isle of Wight, well done to all the bands and artists who took part.

I spent a couple of days writing with my good friend Lou Mullen in London and we penned 2 brand new songs, have been recording rhythm  section  parts for one of them with the legend that is Adam King. Also worked on sessions with Little Roy, Fulvio Sigurta  and Dale from the Fat 45s this week.

Also in the planning is a live video shoot with full band on May 24th (sat pm) in Brighton for a new promo pack. If anybody is interested in being in the “Audience” between 2 and 4.30pm on the Saturday please e-mail me. There is only so much room but we will need a rent-a-crowd. There may even be complimentary refreshments!

By the way - happy birthday to my brother Ben whose birthday it is today…