He said they have 3 promising singles and that they are keeping the titles a secret for now.

It sounds like the 1st single will be out in January. He mentioned it was coming a year and a half after BLACK.

Nick715 said:

Got a little more info, but apparently nobody is excited about this yet......

I'd like to hear more.

I would have preferred he had all the albums done, in the can and ready to go, then released them every 4-6 months. First, the world looses interest too fast these days. Second, most artists don't end up following through on these announced in advance plans.

I'd rather them just put out the single than to just "talk" about putting it out.

Lammastide said:

Nick715 said:

Got a little more info, but apparently nobody is excited about this yet......

I'd like to hear more.

Me too Do you have any info about the album's release date?

Cerebus said:

I would have preferred he had all the albums done, in the can and ready to go, then released them every 4-6 months. First, the world looses interest too fast these days. Second, most artists don't end up following through on these announced in advance plans.

Thank you.

Shut up until your album(s) are ready and are released than do your pub.

can't wait

Nick715 said:

Got a little more info, but apparently nobody is excited about this yet......

tell us!

I guess he wanted people to rest assured that he wouldn't pull his Sade routine and take 6 years off before even going back into the studio.

If he staggers his albums like Badu is staggering her New Amerykah trilogy (2 years) I'd be cool with that.

I just hope he puts albums out and don't go on breaks. Guess he gotta be careful what he says. We know how labels can be...

Nick715 said:

Got a little more info, but apparently nobody is excited about this yet......

Make like a Canadian phone company and Telus

Cerebus said:

I would have preferred he had all the albums done, in the can and ready to go, then released them every 4-6 months. First, the world looses interest too fast these days. Second, most artists don't end up following through on these announced in advance plans.

from what i understood at the time they were promoting the upcoming release of the 1st album

in this trilogy, he had all 3 albums ready to go and they would be released quite quickly.

to now read that he's in the studio, putting the second disc together.... i'm a bit like

just what has he been doing in the past decade if he only had 9 songs to put on the first album,

then has to go back into the studio and tweets that he's got 3 possible singles, more than a year

later.

:wtf:

he must have recorded much more stuff in the time between NOW and BLACKsummer'snight.

i wish he'd at least put 3 non album tracks on his singles or something to tie people over.

IstenSzek said:

Cerebus said:

I would have preferred he had all the albums done, in the can and ready to go, then released them every 4-6 months. First, the world looses interest too fast these days. Second, most artists don't end up following through on these announced in advance plans.

from what i understood at the time they were promoting the upcoming release of the 1st album

in this trilogy, he had all 3 albums ready to go and they would be released quite quickly.

to now read that he's in the studio, putting the second disc together.... i'm a bit like

just what has he been doing in the past decade if he only had 9 songs to put on the first album,

then has to go back into the studio and tweets that he's got 3 possible singles, more than a year

later.

:wtf:

he must have recorded much more stuff in the time between NOW and BLACKsummer'snight.

i wish he'd at least put 3 non album tracks on his singles or something to tie people over.

That's what I had gathered when I heard it initially but I guess he was unsatisfied with what he had recorded.

Timmy84 said:

IstenSzek said:

from what i understood at the time they were promoting the upcoming release of the 1st album

in this trilogy, he had all 3 albums ready to go and they would be released quite quickly.

to now read that he's in the studio, putting the second disc together.... i'm a bit like

just what has he been doing in the past decade if he only had 9 songs to put on the first album,

then has to go back into the studio and tweets that he's got 3 possible singles, more than a year

later.

:wtf:

he must have recorded much more stuff in the time between NOW and BLACKsummer'snight.

i wish he'd at least put 3 non album tracks on his singles or something to tie people over.

That's what I had gathered when I heard it initially but I guess he was unsatisfied with what he had recorded.

Another possibility is label dissatisfaction with the "single capacity" of the album.

But I'm starting to think that a new moniker suffices for artists such as Maxwell, Bilal, Dwele, Jill, etc.

Album Oriented Soul.

AOS would define a sub-category of soul/R&B comprised of artists who build a following based on albums, not singles or remixes, much like rock artists of the 70's/80's.

thoughts?

namepeace said:

Timmy84 said:

That's what I had gathered when I heard it initially but I guess he was unsatisfied with what he had recorded.

Another possibility is label dissatisfaction with the "single capacity" of the album.

But I'm starting to think that a new moniker suffices for artists such as Maxwell, Bilal, Dwele, Jill, etc.

Album Oriented Soul.

AOS would define a sub-category of soul/R&B comprised of artists who build a following based on albums, not singles or remixes, much like rock artists of the 70's/80's.

thoughts?

Interesting. Definitely makes sense to get people interested in albums again, considering the fact that those 99¢ downloads for singles aren't going to contribute much to their bank accounts.

PurpleJedi said:

namepeace said:

Another possibility is label dissatisfaction with the "single capacity" of the album.

But I'm starting to think that a new moniker suffices for artists such as Maxwell, Bilal, Dwele, Jill, etc.

Album Oriented Soul.

AOS would define a sub-category of soul/R&B comprised of artists who build a following based on albums, not singles or remixes, much like rock artists of the 70's/80's.

thoughts?

Interesting. Definitely makes sense to get people interested in albums again, considering the fact that those 99¢ downloads for singles aren't going to contribute much to their bank accounts.

Consumers like me will buy singles from time to time, but are more interested in the albums released by favorite artists. I like the fact that many of my favorite artists are keeping their albums tight and short on filler and interludes.

Maxwell needs to just put his music out when it is ready and stop talking. His track record is so poor in this regard, I think it just annoys and exasperates people. He came out in 08 talking like he had a 3disc set ready to go. Clearly its not, which is fine, but it feels like he is/was being somewhat dishonest so he could walk around talking about this masterpiece trilogy as opposed to saying "here's my 36 minute album that I made after being away for 7 years".

119 said:

Maxwell needs to just put his music out when it is ready and stop talking. His track record is so poor in this regard, I think it just annoys and exasperates people. He came out in 08 talking like he had a 3disc set ready to go. Clearly its not, which is fine, but it feels like he is/was being somewhat dishonest so he could walk around talking about this masterpiece trilogy as opposed to saying "here's my 36 minute album that I made after being away for 7 years".

namepeace said:

Timmy84 said:

That's what I had gathered when I heard it initially but I guess he was unsatisfied with what he had recorded.

Another possibility is label dissatisfaction with the "single capacity" of the album.

But I'm starting to think that a new moniker suffices for artists such as Maxwell, Bilal, Dwele, Jill, etc.

Album Oriented Soul.

AOS would define a sub-category of soul/R&B comprised of artists who build a following based on albums, not singles or remixes, much like rock artists of the 70's/80's.

thoughts?

That's an accurate title 'cause these folks are the few that can go years in between albums 'cause most of their reputation/income comes from their live shows. We can put Joi, Rapheal Saddiq, Mint Condition, Raheem DeVaughn and Anthony Hamilton in that catergory too.

[Edited 10/14/10 12:38pm]

diamondpearl1 said:

namepeace said:

Another possibility is label dissatisfaction with the "single capacity" of the album.

But I'm starting to think that a new moniker suffices for artists such as Maxwell, Bilal, Dwele, Jill, etc.

Album Oriented Soul.

AOS would define a sub-category of soul/R&B comprised of artists who build a following based on albums, not singles or remixes, much like rock artists of the 70's/80's.

thoughts?

That's an accrate title 'cause these folks can go years in between albums 'cause most of their reputation/income comes from live shows anyway. We can put Joi, Rapheal Saddiq, Anthony Hamilton.

Very valid and interesting point.

I will buy albums from certain artists without need to hear singles because I know the overall product will be good. For example, I was going to buy B-s-n based solely on Maxwell's proven quality as an artist, and didn't need to hear a single to know about the release (thanks to the net and sites like this one).

Had I depended on singles to buy this album, I likely would have concluded that "Pretty Wings" was all right, but perhaps hesitated to buy it, thereby delaying my discovery of the genius that is "stoptheworld," which for my money is one of the 3 to 5 best ballads of the 21st century.

namepeace said:

diamondpearl1 said:

That's an accrate title 'cause these folks can go years in between albums 'cause most of their reputation/income comes from live shows anyway. We can put Joi, Rapheal Saddiq, Anthony Hamilton.

Very valid and interesting point.

I will buy albums from certain artists without need to hear singles because I know the overall product will be good. For example, I was going to buy B-s-n based solely on Maxwell's proven quality as an artist, and didn't need to hear a single to know about the release (thanks to the net and sites like this one).

Had I depended on singles to buy this album, I likely would have concluded that "Pretty Wings" was all right, but perhaps hesitated to buy it, thereby delaying my discovery of the genius that is "stoptheworld," which for my money is one of the 3 to 5 best ballads of the 21st century.

I still think "NOW" was the best album Maxwell has ever done. "Urban" was a great beginning.... Embrya was/still is complicated..... but "Now" was straight forward and diverse all at the same time. He got there again on "Black" but there was still somethin missing. It felt like he was playin the wall watchin all the other bands and people dancin b4 he gave us the real shit which I hope will be "Summers"

namepeace said:

diamondpearl1 said:

That's an accrate title 'cause these folks can go years in between albums 'cause most of their reputation/income comes from live shows anyway. We can put Joi, Rapheal Saddiq, Anthony Hamilton.

Very valid and interesting point.

I will buy albums from certain artists without need to hear singles because I know the overall product will be good. For example, I was going to buy B-s-n based solely on Maxwell's proven quality as an artist, and didn't need to hear a single to know about the release (thanks to the net and sites like this one).

Had I depended on singles to buy this album, I likely would have concluded that "Pretty Wings" was all right, but perhaps hesitated to buy it, thereby delaying my discovery of the genius that is "stoptheworld," which for my money is one of the 3 to 5 best ballads of the 21st century.

And let the congregation say Amen...Stop the World is a classic by any classic standards. When so ever I fall in love again...that song wiill provide the soundtrack to many a sleepless night...If only...

namepeace said:

diamondpearl1 said:

That's an accrate title 'cause these folks can go years in between albums 'cause most of their reputation/income comes from live shows anyway. We can put Joi, Rapheal Saddiq, Anthony Hamilton.

Very valid and interesting point.

I will buy albums from certain artists without need to hear singles because I know the overall product will be good. For example, I was going to buy B-s-n based solely on Maxwell's proven quality as an artist, and didn't need to hear a single to know about the release (thanks to the net and sites like this one).

Had I depended on singles to buy this album, I likely would have concluded that "Pretty Wings" was all right, but perhaps hesitated to buy it, thereby delaying my discovery of the genius that is "stoptheworld," which for my money is one of the 3 to 5 best ballads of the 21st century.

Yessuh.

So, how long to people think it should really take an artist to put out a 9 song album. Barring label delays and all that, is there a time frame folks think is reasonable for an artist who always says they are "working on the album"? Its all subjective, Im just curious what some folks think.

With respect to Maxwell, he'll be better off just dissappearing completely when he wants to take breaks. I think his fanbase is strong (and old) enough to let him go away and put out stuff when he likes- like many of the soul staples (Sade, Anita, etc.) He doesnt strike me as a workhorse anyhow, so I dont expect too much regular product out of him.