Posted on 07/28/2009
It’s been almost a decade since the release of Now, the last offering from Neo-Soul crooner Maxwell. Contained on the platinum-selling album were classics including “This Woman’s Worth” and “Lifetime.” With 8 years in between his last album and his latest album, BLACKsummers’night, some questions come to mind: was the album worth the wait? Does he top his last album? Yes and no. Yes, because BLACKsummers’night is a beautifully crafted album and you can hear the definitive growth within. No, because it’s a much different sound than Maxwell’s previous offerings, and you simply can’t compare apples and oranges.

While it has been quite a while since we’ve heard from Maxwell, he shows a considerable change in his vocal range and musicianship. The production on the album compliments the vocals very well. In a world where synthesizers and autotune reign supreme, it’s refreshing to hear an artist that uses live instrumentation. The depth of his lyrics have increased significantly. This album is the first of a trilogy of albums he will be releasing within the next few years, with blackSUMMERS’night coming in 2010 and blacksummers’NIGHT in 2011.

Part of his album sounds like the Now Maxwell, the persona and talent that garnered him a #1 on the Billboard Charts and his most successful album to date. The other portion of the album explores the new depth that Maxwell has seemingly been working on attaining for the past 7 years. Of the nine tracks, none of them feel out of place and go with the flow of the album. As cliché as the comparison may be, Maxwell’s voice has truly aged like fine wine.

With this evolution, some of the characteristics that Maxwell is known for are gone. The softness of his music (perhaps with the exception of “Pretty Wings”) is minimized. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s definitely not like the artist that fans grew to know and love on Urban Hang Suite and his other previous works. “Love You” and “Fistful of Tears” are shining examples of what diehard fans may not be used to. They are beautiful songs in their own right, but may be a turn-off for some. It’s a refreshing change and something new from an artist that been putting it down for years. “Neo-Soul” doesn’t quite encompass it, as it sounds like more of an album for R&B realists.

There have been numerous comparisons of Maxwell to Marvin Gaye, and it really shines through here. The horn arrangements, the live band, and the vibe of the songs on the album practically scream 70’s soul. It’s a delicate balance that is pulled off quite well on this new venture. Hopefully the progression that has been seen here will be seen in the continuation of this trilogy.

It’s been a very long time since we heard Maxwell, but it was well worth the wait. Even though BLACKsummers’ night clocks in at a little less than an hour with a modest nine tracks, the album is something refreshingly new from an artist that is seemingly comfortable in his lane. Maxwell spent almost a decade working on his craft, and it definitely shows.

- M. Antonio Silas