Frankie Beverly's 11 most memorable songs from the R&B legend's catalog

We've lost a legend today, folks. Frankie Beverly, the lead mic for the legendary soul band Maze, died on Wednesday.

Beverly's death was announced on the band's Instagram account on Wednesday morning. The details of what happened weren't disclosed, but his family left a message along with the announcement.

"Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience. During this time, as we are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection and remembrance, we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way. This period for is one of healing, and your respect for our need for solitude is appreciated as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly, known to the world as Frankie Beverly."

Beverly was an absolute icon. He founded the band we know as Maze today as "Raw Soul" back in 1970. The band moved from Philadelphia, where Beverly was born, to California, eventually changing its name to Maze.

Frankie Beverly and Maze released eight studio albums from 1977 through 1993, and, somehow, the group never won a Grammy and did not have a top-40 Billboard hit. In fact, no song charted better than No. 69 on the Billboard Top 100.

That says more about the failings of the Recording Academy and Billboard as institutions that claim to know music and culture than it does about Frankie Beverly and Maze. The music the band gave us through the years is ubiquitous. Those albums are timeless. Those singles are magical.

I dare you to go to a cookout or a wedding where they're not playing "Before I Let Go." You can't because those cookouts don't exist. Try to keep from tapping your foot and snapping your fingers when "Joy and Pain" plays. Try to keep a smile from coming across your face from cheek to cheek when you hear "The Golden Hour." It's impossible. The music is just that good.

Frankie Beverly and Maze's songs are essential pieces of Americana that have lasted generations. The band is one of the greats and Beverly was the architect of it all.

As a thank you to him for blessing us with these classic hits, here are the 11 most memorable songs from Frankie Beverly and Maze's catalog. Enjoy.

Before I Let Go

You knew this song was going to be here. It's a classic so good that Beyoncé had to remix it herself. It gets the people going at every cookout, wedding and brunch it plays out. It makes people so happy you forget that it's actually a breakup song.

Joy & Pain

Jalen Hurts — who is a huge Frankie Beverly and Maze fan — loves to say there's a Frankie Beverly song for every emotion you could have. I imagine he thinks of "Joy and Pain" when he says this. It's an incredible song with an incredible message that'll keep you moving and grooving.

Happy Feelin's

I don't know if there's a better vibe-setting song out there than this one. If you need to smile, this is the one for you. Just hit play and let it ride.

Golden Time of Day

OK, so maybe I lied? Maybe. "Golden Time of Day" is in the same bag as Happy Feelin's. It's a great pick-me-up song and it's just so smooth. I could listen to this on a loop all day.

We Are One

"We Are One" is kind of heavy, but it's magical. The title is a bit self-explanatory. It's a song about people being united and coming together as one just living out our lives. It's existential in a sense but in a good way.

I Wanna Thank You

This song is for that person in your life that you're just thankful for. The person who brings a little light on a dark day. The person who helps you find joy when it eludes you. It's a beautiful song for beautiful emotions.

While I'm Alone

This is one of those cuts that just gets you moving. That bass is just going crazy while Beverly croons over the melodic tunes about trying to get back to his love. We've all been there before, right?

Love is The Key

Folks. I cannot stress to you enough how CRAZY the synth in this song goes. It sounds amazing. Play this in your headphones and you're in for a treat.

The Look in Your Eyes

This song is just so incredibly charming. It's about falling in love and how it just happens without a word. This one gets a lot of play at the cookout, too.

Feel that you're Feelin'

In that same vein, "Feel that you're Feelin'" is about falling in love too. But it's kind of different because this time you're actually telling the person that you're in love with them instead of just gazing into their eyes.

It's just as charming and it sounds incredible.

Can't Get Over You

This song is so smooth. It's about being unable to get over a person, obviously. But, like "Before I Let Go," you kind of forget that this isn't supposed to be a bop as it continues to play. It's enthralling.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Frankie Beverly's 11 most memorable songs from the R&B legend's catalog