As both producer and DJ, Max has stretched his sound the world over, headlining at renowned clubs and festivals in over 60 countries around the globe. His sound is constantly evolving; Max has the rare ability to masterfully combine pure house music with his own favourite tracks from a variety of dance music genres including progressive and techno. His sets are notorious for their seamless integration of deep, dynamic baselines, energetic rhythms, and elevating melodies, luring the crowd into a hypnotic frenzy. During this ride you are sure to hear a selection of Max's own productions, which include over 20 original tracks and more than 30 remixes.
Born in the UK, Max spent his formative years living in music-driven cities, New York City and Los Angeles, before settling in the unlikely house music city - Ottawa, Canada in 1989. Starting off in the early 90’s as a hip-hop/scratch and Top 40 DJ, Max adopted electronic music after experiencing the rave scene in Montreal at the beginning of what is known now as the dance club renaissance—a movement that gave rise to a new style of house, labeled ‘progressive’. At a time when New York house controlled the club circuit in North America, Max embraced the melodic style of UK house and began to branch out into his own unique sound.
As a purveyor of the progressive sound, Max was at the forefront of Canada’s growing dance scene, gracing the decks weekly at Atomic night club in Ottawa, a hot spot that left a huge cultural imprint on the Canadian electronic music scene. His legendary 6-hour sets at Atomic were pivotal in Canada’s dance music evolution.
In 2000, Max moved to Vancouver to begin his professional production career. There he created his first hits Airtight and Tell You, which propelled Max onto the international music scene. Airtight proved to be a landmark in Max’s career, earning airtime on Pete Tong’s Essential Mix on Radio 1 and receiving a nomination for a Juno Award — the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy. The track also gained the interest of Paul Oakenfold who signed the single to both his US and UK ‘Perfecto Presents Another World’ compilations, before inviting Max to join him on his world tour for dates throughout North America and at the famed Pacha in Ibiza.
In 2001, Max mixed the fourth installment of the Transport mix CD series, hailed as one of the best electronic albums of the year. The album’s success positioned Max firmly on the tour circuit where he garnered a legion of fans and earned the #23 spot on the prestigious, publicly-voted DJ Mag Top 100 list, the highest new entry that year.
Max embarked on a personal excursion to Bali in 2003, following a steadfast two year run managing demanding production and tour schedules. “Things were mad during those two years, I was being booked to play trance clubs when I don’t play trance… I was feeling disjointed and slightly out of control, flying from gig to gig without taking the time to make sure I was making the right decisions.” Max returned from the self imposed break and relocated to Montreal; it was all that he needed to regain his creativity and inspiration. He returned to producing in 2004 having secured an artistic connection with a city that provides him with inner peace.
Max’s newfound inspiration led to the 2005 release of Owner of a Lonely Heart. The success of the crossover mix confirmed Max’s chart potential and he was soon called upon to employ his innovative bassline heavy production style to tracks by Guy Gerber, BodyRockers and Yoshitoshi Records label-heads, Deep Dish. The same year, Max fashioned two hit tracks exhibiting his versatility as a composer. The electro-stormer ‘Crank’ reached #1 on Beatport, while ‘I Know You’re Gone’, an emotional production featuring Jessica Jacobs, proved a mainstay in the boxes of Markus Schulz and Armin Van Buuren.
2006 saw the broadcast of Max’s long overdue first Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1 and welcomed the launch of Max’s second label, Re*brand Records, so called as a tongue in cheek reference to the constant evolution of dance music and Max’s own indefinable style. The new label saw early success in 2007 with releases from relative newcomers Tim Davison and Patch Park.
After two years of making a hybrid of Electro and House Graham decided to return to his musical roots with progressive house and Trance. At the beginning of the year Graham Signed with Trance/Progressive powerhouse Armada records for a Deal that would see an artist album and the creation of Max's own Compilation series entitled "Cyles". Cycles 1 was released in June 2008 and a successful tour followed.
2010 Will See the release a Full Artist Album as well as Cycles 2,also some collaborations with various artists including Jessica Jacobs and Markus Schulz. The Artist album is set for release in June/July 2010 and will contain Max's current smash "Sun in the Winter" Feat Neev Kennedy on vocals.
Steppin' Out
Max Graham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've come so far
A fine romance
Of steppin' out to dance.
Your lovely charms
When you're in my arms
That subtle glance
To dance, to dance
Could you think it over?
When we get older
I'll still want you here with me
Darling I hope that you agree
There's something that takes place
Whenever we embrace
I'm hoping that you take this chance
Of steppin' out to dance.
Out to dance, out to dance.
Here we are
We've come so far.
Could you think it over?
When we get older
I'll still want you here with me
Darling I hope that you agree
There's something that takes place
Whenever we embrace
I'm hoping that you take this chance
Of steppin' out.
Could you think it over?
When we get older
I'll still want you here with me
Darling I hope that you agree
There's something that takes place
Whenever we embrace
I'm hoping that you take this chance
Of steppin' out to dance.
The lyrics of Max Graham's song Steppin' Out evoke a sense of nostalgia and romance, as the singer reflects on the journey they have taken with their partner and contemplates their future together. The opening lines, "Here we are, we've come so far, a fine romance of steppin' out to dance", suggest that the couple has been together for some time and have experienced many memorable moments. The idea of "steppin' out to dance" represents the joy and liberation that can be found in letting go and enjoying life's simple pleasures.
The lyrics also focus on the physical and emotional connection between the singer and their partner. The lines "Your lovely charms when you're in my arms, that subtle glance when steppin' out to dance" suggest that the singer is deeply connected to their partner and finds comfort and joy in their presence. The repetition of the phrase "to dance, to dance" reinforces the idea that this connection is best expressed through movement and shared experiences.
As the song progresses, the singer asks their partner to consider their future together, singing "Could you think it over? When we get older, I'll still want you here with me, darling I hope that you agree". This stanza shows that the singer is committed to their relationship and wants to continue building a life with their partner. The final line, "Of steppin' out to dance", repeats the theme of finding joy and fulfillment in shared experiences.
Overall, Max Graham's song Steppin' Out is a celebration of love, connection, and the importance of taking time to enjoy life's simple pleasures with the people we care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are
We are in the present moment.
We've come so far
We have made progress together.
A fine romance
Our love is a beautiful experience.
Of steppin' out to dance.
Of enjoying the experience of dancing.
Your lovely charms
The delightful qualities that you possess.
When you're in my arms
When I am holding you close.
That subtle glance
The small, meaningful looks we share.
When steppin' out to dance.
When we are enjoying the experience of dancing together.
To dance, to dance
The act of dancing is our focus.
Could you think it over?
Can you carefully consider what I am about to say?
When we get older
As time goes by.
I'll still want you here with me
I will always desire your presence in my life.
Darling I hope that you agree
I hope you share the same feelings as I do.
There's something that takes place
Our relationship experiences a special occurrence.
Whenever we embrace
Every time we hold each other close.
I'm hoping that you take this chance
I desire for you to embrace this opportunity.
Of steppin' out to dance.
Of enjoying the experience of dancing together.
Out to dance, out to dance.
We will revel in the joy of dancing together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Ultra Tunes
Written by: BJARNSON, FINN BOGI / RADDON, RYAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
British Nick
I worked at the ,number 1 night club in Seattle and the dj was the best in the northwest. He gave me this album and I loved it, its awesome. I haven't heard it in about 10 years now. And I just thought about max now and looked to see if it was on youtube. Hell yeah, this brings back memories. Mad Graham if you read this I just want to tell you I love your work and I send you my best wishes
Mary Cooley
I still own this on CD but I am so glad you made it available. One of my absolutely favorite trance albums. Oh, and I have Max Graham's signature on the CD liner, framed. :)
Chad Norman
Max Graham should have done a Global Underground around this time.
Dartkick
The sound of my 20s and NYC in the early 2000s. Gracias
TechnoGuy11
The best of the Transport/Tranceport series and I feel like it's Max's best comp as well. Back when I got this in 2001 I played it every day and I still have the vinyl pack.
Engin Can Ipek
I have been listening to this on my minidisc player during my trip to Japan years ago. This music fit so well it is almost playing all around hi-tech buildings and trains stations...
Mehmet Can Ergün
Evet, güzel set.
Charles Wachunas
Legendary!!! These two CD's on this unparalleled album got me into the techno seen...thanks for the upload
Charles Wachunas
thanks for the tip
Chad Norman
If you like this Transport. I recommend the Global Underground series. The earlier in the series the better. Start with Nick Warren's, Paul Oakenfold's, Sasha's, and Dave Seaman's mixes.