Maxi Jazz, singer of the influential UK dance group Faithless, has died on the age of 65.

“We’re heartbroken to say Maxi Jazz died final evening (December twenty third),” the group introduced in a Fb submit. “He was a person who modified our lives in so some ways. He gave correct that means and message to our music. ”

“He was additionally a stunning human being with time for everybody and a knowledge that was each profound and accessible. It was an honour and, after all, a real pleasure to work with him,” the assertion added. “He was a superb lyricist, a DJ, a Buddhist, an impressive stage presence, automotive lover, infinite talker, lovely individual, ethical compass and genius.”

A separate assertion posted to Instagram mentioned Maxi Jazz “died peacefully in his sleep,” however a explanation for loss of life was not instantly disclosed.

Maxi Jazz — whose actual title was Maxwell Fraser — was born in Brixton in 1957. He shaped Faithless in 1995, alongside Rollo Armstrong, Jamie Catto, and Sister Bliss. The group launched their debut album, Reverence, the next 12 months. It went platinum on the power of two prime 10 singles, “Insomnia” and “Salva Mea.”

Faithless’ sophomore album, 1998’s Sunday 8PM, boasted one other prime 10 single in “God is a DJ,” and earned the band a Mercury Prize nomination for album of the 12 months within the UK. With the discharge of their third album, 2001’s Outrospective, Faithless cemented their standing as one of many UK’s hottest acts, culminating in a headlining look at Glastonbury in 2002.

Faithless earned their first and solely No. 1 album with the discharge of No Roots in 2004. It contained widespread singles like “One Step Too Far” that includes Dido, and “Mass Destruction,” which Dave Grohl famously cited because the one track he want he wrote himself.

Over the following half decade, Faithless launched two extra albums, 2006’s To All New Arrivals and 2010’s The Dance, in addition to a best hits compilation known as Ceaselessly Faithless. The latter launch proved to be the best-selling dance album within the UK in 2005, going 5 instances platinum. In addition they headlined Glastonbury for a second time in 2010.

Faithless went on a seven-year hiatus starting in 2011. When the group lastly returned, they have been with out Maxi Jazz, who as an alternative selected to give attention to a brand new challenge known as Maxi Jazz and The E-Sort Boys.