Maxwell - The Return

The recent publicity surrounding Maxwell is a wonderful example of great people working with you. Lately he’s been popping up everywhere with the headline, “R & B crooner gets a drastic hair cut!” Really? He cut his hair over three years ago and now it’s headline worthy? Eh… use what you got. Brilliant!

 

I’m trying to understand why we are all so excited about Maxwell’s return. It takes a completely loyal fanbase to remain this enthusiastic after his eight long years of absence and a trip to the barber. Yet legions of people are blogging, twittering, chirping and facebooking about the release of BLACKsummers night on July 7, 2009.

 

Everyone seems to overlook another fact; the first single, Pretty Wings peeked on his Myspace page two years ago! Admittedly, I was a fanatic! I bookmarked the page and made frequent clicks to get a taste. But at that time we were promised the trilogy would drop in January of 2008, then summer of 2008, then came Maxwell’s personal apology that January 2009 would see the first release. I know, I know I'll stop lamentting and face the reality that there probably hasn’t been this much anticipation since the Matrix dropped Parts II & III. However unlike Neo and his super conflicted emotions, Maxwell is picking up where he left US off after his breakthrough debut album. And yes this will be his 5^th album vs. 2^nd but who can deny the power of Urban hang Suite?

 

Pretty Wings the extended version is sexy, sultry, crisp and fresh. The second single, Bad Habits lends itself to the memory of Whenever, Wherever Whatever while also taking a trip into old school R & B territory. When we listen to BLACKsummers Night will we feel compelled to hop to the dance floor and grind along with him? Can he touch the bedroom driven, sensual instrumental soundscapes of his previous albums? Eight years later can his voice still swing back and forth between his signature bass and falsetto and make women throw their panties on stage? 

 

My expectation is that he introduce this trilogy with Marvin Gaye (esque) smooth tempo cuts accompanied by his signature, deep-grooving bass lines. I anticipate a revival of the R & B that we all miss. After nearly a decade we are eager to feel his creative overflow.

 

I’m hope that BLACKsummers night will be absolutely worth the tedious, long wait. Bring it Sir!