Fraser founded The Soul Food Cafe System as a DJ in 1984, having discovered hip-hop a year earlier. He transferred this sound to pirate radio station LWR in 1987.
In 1989 The Soul Food Cafe Band was picked up by Tam Tam Records, the dance wing of Savage Records), and the album Soul Food Café was recorded. Fraser founded Namu Records in 1992 in order to release the band's material in the form of three E.P's and the band toured as a support act to various artists, including Jamiroquai in Amsterdam; Soul II Soul in Barcelona; Galliano in Switzerland; and Jason Rebello in Brazil. After the band dissolved, Fraser worked throughout Europe, and took time out to collaborate with Jah Wobble on the "Invaders Of The Heart" album, followed by live dates with the Wobble Collective.
Fraser met Rollo Armstrong in a studio and went on to form Faithless, together with Jamie Catto and Sister Bliss. As a Soka Gakkai Buddhist, Fraser's strong beliefs and the band's own strong individual beliefs, contrasted with the name Faithless., which was chosen during the writing of the song Salva Mea. Rollo had asked Fraser to write a song about frustration, which was something to which Fraser could relate from his own experiences. The subject matter of Fraser's lyrics ranged from upbeat to melancholic. His work covered a range of personal and social issues, including current affairs and social commentary.
In 2006 Fraser provided the vocals for the hit Tiësto track, Dance4life. It was one of the biggest trance hits of the year. He also sang alongside Robbie Williams on the collaborative album 1 Giant Leap in the single My Culture.
Fraser celebrated his 50th Birthday on June 15th 2007 in Hyde Park, London by Headlining the O2 Wireless Festival 2007. In the Encore He was greeted by thousands of fans singing happy birthday.
In 2015, he began fronting a newly assembled band of musicians named Maxi Jazz & The E-Type Boys.
The Garden
Maxi Jazz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unsung champion, I reason, like seasoning.
Pepper your thoughts with spice, and entice you to a space
Where I dwell with bass players and layers and loops,
Think what I think with my prayers. It's nice.
My world is everything I've become,
I'm coming from the same place I'm still running from,
But even sitting in the garden one can still get stung
The opening lines of Maxi Jazz's song The Garden serve as a warning to listeners not to interrupt him until he finishes his message. The lyrics imply that he has much to say and that he should be paid attention to. He then describes himself as an “unsung champion,” someone who thinks deeply and offers something unique, like seasoning that enhances a dish. He encourages listeners to incorporate new ideas into their thinking, drawing them into a space where his songs exist alongside the sounds of bass players and looping instruments. His music creates a space that is calm and prayerful, a world he has become and that is contained within the music's hum.
However, the line “I'm coming from the same place I'm still running from,” suggests that this world is the result of his struggles, which he is still trying to overcome. And while he can sit in his garden and find peace, he admits that even in this idyllic space, he can still feel the sting of life's difficulties. The Garden is a song rich with metaphor and meaning, urging us to pay attention to the space between the voice and the drum, where deeper truths can be found.
Line by Line Meaning
Beg you listen me, don't be kissing me 'til I'm done.
Please listen to me and do not interrupt until I am finished speaking.
Unsung champion, I reason, like seasoning.
I believe myself to be an unsung hero, like a seasoning that enhances the flavor of food.
Pepper your thoughts with spice, and entice you to a space
Add flavor and excitement to your thoughts, and draw you into a particular environment.
Where I dwell with bass players and layers and loops,
I exist in a place where music and sound are layered and complex.
Think what I think with my prayers. It's nice.
I find comfort in knowing that my thoughts and beliefs align with my spiritual practices.
My world is everything I've become,
The world I inhabit is a reflection of my experiences and personal growth.
Contained in the hum between voice and drum.
This world is represented by the sound created by the interaction between the human voice and percussion instruments.
I'm coming from the same place I'm still running from,
I am still haunted by the same issues and challenges from my past, even as I try to move on.
But even sitting in the garden one can still get stung
Even in a peaceful and beautiful environment, one can still experience pain and harm.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENTOVIM AYALAH DEBORAH BENTOVIM AYALAH DEBORAH, ROLLO ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind