INTERVIEW: Maxwell, Scott Making Beautiful Music Together (Philadelphia Inquirer)

By David R. Stampone

‘Yeah, it’ll be a home court advantage for Jill,” noted Maxwell, a native New Yorker, about his coheadlining bill with Philadelphia’s Jill Scott on Saturday at the Wachovia Center.

“But I’m cool with that. I’m excited. The music scene there is unbelievable – and I’m playing with Jill Scott! I’m a big fan … she’s just so sophisticated, so musical, so elegant.”

Since starting last month, “The Tour” has earned glowing reviews, satisfying concertgoers with two different, impressively soulful sets, served with all the trimmings. Both Maxwell and the busy actress-poet-chanteuse Scott (whose long-awaited new album The Light of the Sun is due this year) are touring with large backing ensembles, eager to get back to making live, organic music in an Auto-Tune era.

“I mean, don’t get it twisted: I love Drake … and Puff, he does it very well,” explained the iconic neo-soul singer by phone. “But I could never be a part of that. I’m not an Auto-Tune guy. And it’s confusing to me.”