THE ENGINE ROOM

The unsung heroes who helped forge modern music

- Lin Bensley

This month: Max Middleton

Never one to steal the limelight, Max Middleton made his presence felt on those recordings to which he was invited to contribute during a long and distinguished, if underappreciated, career. A classically trained pianist, he developed a sound knowledge of R&B and jazz. While earning his keep as an office wallah at London’s docks he was invited by Trinidad bassist Clive Chaman to join a local soul/funk combo with Latin American overtones appropriately called Flare, who backed Jimmy Cliff for his hit reggae cover of Cat Stevens’ Wild World (1970).

When Chaman joined The Jeff Beck Group he suggested auditioning Middleton at a time when he was seeking a tougher Motown sound overlaid with a decidedly Blue Cap Bop flavour. As Middleton told Beck’s biographer, Martin Power, “When I came to rehearsals Jeff was sitting up against the wall playing guitar. Cozy [Powell] came over and shook my hand and I thought, ‘Oh, he must be the leader of the band.’” 

Middleton first collaborated with Beck on the Rough And Ready (1971) album with Bobby Tench drafted in at the last moment to supply vocals and lyrics. Middleton contributed the slow-tempo instrumental, Max’s Tune, which ably demonstrated his penchant for jazz phrasings and he would play a significant role in developing Beck’s interest in the genre.