ARTICLE: Maxwell is Back (Houston Style Magazine)
by Jo-Carolyn Goode on Friday, 10 July 2009
Usually out of sight means out of mind. Well, not if you’re Maxwell. For the past 8 years the R&B singer has been a bit incognito. He ducked out of the limelight soon after the release of his 2001 album “Now” to live a “normal” life. He needed to gain some life experiences so that his music would have more meaning. He cut his trademark locks, so that he could blend more easily in society because no one really recognized him. Eight years later Maxwell is back!
Maxwell comes back with a plethora of new music that has fans yelling a simple “Thank you.” Thank you for coming back to the industry. Thank you for returning the soul to R&B music. Over the next three summers Maxwell will release a trilogy called “BLACKSUMMERS’NIGHT.” According to press material, the first installment, “BLACKsummers’night,” is a dark and soulful compilation. While the second installment “blackSUMMERS’night” is a more spirited gospel influenced sound. The last installment “blacksummers’NIGHT” is a cool collection of slow jams. Debuting on July 7, 2009, “BLACKsummers’night” is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated albums of the summer.
During his hiatus, Maxwell kept a low profile. “In your 20s you’re just a sketch of what you think you’re trying to be,” said the singer who is now in his mid 30s. Using his life experiences, he created the trilogy and reintroduced himself to industry. “Its’ a record journey for me. I have had such great real experiences living an everyday life and that sort of created this really amazing, I feel, album in my life. “
I have to agree with Maxwell this latest project is amazing, but I love anything by him. He could sing the alphabet and I would buy it. There is something sexy about his voice as well as his passion for music. He is not the average artist. Maxwell said, “Every time I’d get in the studio it would be like am I trying to outdo this last record? I just wanted to make a really good record.”
Currently the first single on “BLACK,” “Pretty Wings” is #1 on America Urban Adult radio stations. Performing recently at the 2009 BET awards, the song talks about wanting to be with someone but the timing was not right. “It’s about the last relationship I had,” Maxwell said. “How you meet the person of your dreams but at the wrong time. She was a serious muse and the song is a testament to what I wanted to say and say, to her.” “Pretty Wings” also debuted #1 on the Billboard Singles chart. “Pretty Wings” gives the sound that we are used to hearing from Maxwell with falsettos and baritones. He gives listeners a different feel, a more seasoned man persona with the song “Fistful of Tears.” “It’s kind of about wanting to leave the industry and a relationship but then realizing that he should give it one more try.” Check out the album that was recorded with a live ten piece band right now at stores everywhere.
More BLACKsummersnight (reviews):
REVIEW: BLACKsummersnight (Pitchfork)
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