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Faithless dedicate music to late frontman Maxi Jazz

A man is pictured singing into a microphone he is holding in his right hand. He is wearing a black blazer with no shirt underneath.Image source, PETER KLAUNZER/ EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSHOCK
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Maxwell Alexander Fraser, known by his stage name Maxi Jazz, was a British musician and Faithless' lead vocalist

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Faithless' new album and tour pay "homage" to late band member Maxi Jazz, says keyboardist Sister Bliss.

The British dance act formed nearly 30 years ago in 1995, and are set to play at Brighton Centre on 9 November during their 21-date tour.

While Sister Bliss said it was an "amazing feeling" to be playing shows again after an eight-year hiatus, it also felt "quite strange" playing without London-born Maxi.

"I keep expecting him to come out on stage and do his iconic, charismatic, frontman thing, and it鈥檚 always quite an odd feeling," she said.

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"It feels like he鈥檚 there in spirit," Sister Bliss says

Maxi Jazz passed away "peacefully in his sleep" in 2022, aged 65.

Despite his absence, fans have "responded well" to the band's eighth studio album, Champion Sound, which was performed at shows and festivals over the summer.

"It鈥檚 just amazing to see the response in the audience, and it spans all the generations," said Sister Bliss.

She attributed this reception to "streaming", saying that "music doesn't have context anymore".

The musician noted that even her son, who is 18, and his friends listen to '90s house music.

"It鈥檚 not '90s house music to them, it鈥檚 just good music," she said.

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