It's been awhile since Maxwell realeased anything new. Anyone know some news if he'll release a new CD anytime soon.
Imissthesmoothgrooves

There was a little blurb about him in the New York Post a few days ago. Supposedly he asked Anthony Minghella (Cold Mountain, English Patient) to direct his music video, "Black Summer's Night".

No idea when his new stuff comes out, but I hope it's soon!

ken said:

I hope he takes his time on this one, because he's seemed a bit conflicted on his last couple of releases. I've enjoyed many of the songs on each of his last two studio releases but neither of the albums seemed to flow quite like his first, which incidentally I think is a modern masterpiece.

Of all of the so-called 'neo-soul' (God, I hate that term) releases at that time, ('Brown Sugar', 'True To Myself', and 'Baduism'),'The Urban Hang Suite' was far and away the best IMO. That album was seriously hitting a nerve that hadn't been touched in awhile.

And while we're mentioning it, I hope to God he's still collaborating with Stuart Matthewman.

violator said:

I very much agree. If Max manages his output -- and his overall career -- really skillfully, he's got what it takes to go down as a modern legend.

Lammastide said:

hugh?

legend?


i don't think so

maxwell is cool but

i don't see him as legendary

okay, he can sing the panties

off of peeps but i would not

consider him legendary

Freespirit re-introduced me to Maxwell and i am loving his music.
i bought Embrya again and finally got Now.
the fella is in a class by himself i tell you.

sumtymes said:

i agree with sumtymes on this one..

To add to what I wrote earlier, Fox News says there's a release date for March.

Maxwell is so sexy!

Milty said:

And a good live act too !

Maxwell needs to produce something as brilliant as embryo.. that last album was terrible..

I love Maxwell, the brotha puts out very good albums that are both genre straddling and challenging. I agree that Now was a little to "mainstream" as if he was pressured to make an album with more pop appeal, however, it is still an enjoyable listen. The streak of Urban Hang Suite, Unplugged, and Embrya is classic. I honestly feel that Embrya was one of the finest albums of the 1990's. Maxwell came with a new sound and the album sounds as though it was recorded under water. He took chances and created a sonic landscape that most people did not appreciate. I applaud Maxwell for not retreading the UHS sound and I appreciate the fact that he tries to expand his horizons on each subsequent release. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, he does have a good chance to go down as legendary because his albums are challenging and timeless and they do not sound like anything that is currently on the airwaves when they are released.

I love Maxwell, the brotha puts out very good albums that are both genre straddling and challenging. I agree that Now was a little to "mainstream" as if he was pressured to make an album with more pop appeal, however, it is still an enjoyable listen. The streak of Urban Hang Suite, Unplugged, and Embrya is classic. I honestly feel that Embrya was one of the finest albums of the 1990's. Maxwell came with a new sound and the album sounds as though it was recorded under water. He took chances and created a sonic landscape that most people did not appreciate. I applaud Maxwell for not retreading the UHS sound and I appreciate the fact that he tries to expand his horizons on each subsequent release. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, he does have a good chance to go down as legendary because his albums are challenging and timeless and they do not sound like anything that is currently on the airwaves when they are released.

Yeah it's about time for him to come back. I enjoyed Now, maybe more than most, yet nothing beats UHS. Embrya definitely took a few years to grow on me. I wouldn't toss out legend status just yet. Maybe if somebody was keeping track of babies being conceived due to Maxwell's music, then I can see an early legend talk. I would love to see another show next year if he tours.

funkyslsistah said:

I dug "Now" too. My only problem with the album was it was way too short. But "Lifetime" "Changed" and "Noone" were all great songs. I agree with the person who said Maxwell has a shot at legendary status. He's one of the few artists today that is both soulful and able to write great hooks. You can count on one hand the artist that had a debute album as good as "UHS". "Embyra" was much underrated as was "Now" Give the man another 10 years and let's see what his body of work looks like. I would bet it will be far better than most others of this generation.

purpleone said:

As is, I'd have to agree with you two also. He's merely a great vocalist.

My hope is that his writing, production, etc. will all come together eventually because I think he has potential to be legendary if his art is honed.
[This message was edited Mon Dec 22 19:15:33 PST 2003 by Lammastide]

Lammastide said:

You know, I normally don't take digs at others opinions but that one I can't let go. Merely a great vocalist? Dude created UHS! We can debate he hasn't lived up to his debute but the fact he's given us at least one truely great album makes him a little more than "just a great vocalist". You make it sound like he's Ruben Studdard or someone Jesus Christ let's get real here!
[This message was edited Tue Dec 23 8:58:55 PST 2003 by intha916]

intha916 said:

I think that description suits Maxwell well. It's not like he's the next Marvin Gaye. Jesus Christ let's get real here! And Ruben Studdard does not even cut it as a "great vocalist" so the comparison is not valid.

Maxwell has a beautiful voice. Of that there can be no debate. But being a great vocalist and having a great voice are two seperate things.

Prince, for instance, doesn't really have a great voice. But he is an extraordinary vocalist.

violator said:

This is interesting. Elaborate.

VoicesCarry said:

Yes, let's get real. You mention Marvin Gaye. I would rank Maxwell ahead of Marvin (at the same point in each carrer)as far as being a creative force. While Marvin was a truely great singer, he was nothing more than that in his early Motown days. Maxwell is "creating" and not just singing. You might not like what he has created (although there are millions of us who do) you can't say he's "just a singer". Maxwell can with the strings on UHS when using strings in mainstream R&B was almost dead. Maxwell brought back the "feel good" jam (Sumthin Sumthin) So you can come with all the BS you want, but if you don't think Maxwell is one of the best of this generation then tell me who is?

intha916 said:

I feel ya... Urban Hang Suite was a striking work, and his subsequent stuff has been good and ambitious if not definitive. But for me to consider Maxwell not only a great vocalist, but a full-fledged producer of art -- let alone the stuff of legend -- I've got to see a body of monumental work. With the right talents and technicians, even I could release one stunning CD.

...But like I said before, I do think Maxwell, above just about any of his peers I can think of, has what it takes to be a luminary over the long term.
[This message was edited Tue Dec 23 11:19:28 PST 2003 by Lammastide]

That's why I agreed with you first statement

"I very much agree. If Max manages his output -- and his overall career -- really skillfully, he's got what it takes to go down as a modern legend."

I don't think either one of us is saying he is there now. But rather he has the stuff it takes to get there. I always felt he could be the male "Sade". We'll see if he makes it.

intha916 said:

I hope so. I love Max.

intha916 said:

I don't think there is anyone of today's generation who can compare to Marvin Gaye. That's my opinion, take it as you will. Even Marvin's early Motown material is infinitely more interesting than what Maxwell has to offer. I have yet to have Maxwell "hook" me with his voice. Even worse, his songs are rarely that memorable. To me he is just another prosaic soul crooner. I'm not saying he can't grow out of that. I'm just saying that he's not anything more AS OF NOW.

And you state that Marvin "was nothing more than a great singer" in his early days at Motown. Wrong. Of his 39 Top 40 singles for Motown (prior to the What's Going On era), he wrote and/or arranged many of them. I'll list a few:

Need Your Lovin' (Want You Back)
Stepping Closer to Your Heart
Stubborn Kind of Fellow
Hitch Hike
Get My Hands On Some Lovin'
At Last (I Found A Love)
Change What You Can
Pride And Joy
Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)
It Hurt Me Too
Memories

Marvin also worked in studio alongside songwriting greats such as Robinson, Fuqua, H-D-H, and Berry Gordy, learning the craft and learning the intricacies of the Motown production style. He was an uncredited force on many of their songs.

He also established himself as an incredibly strong duet singer with Mary Wells, Kim Weston, Oma Page, and of course Tammi Terrell as his partners.

It was his artistic restlessness, and the increasing boredom with his 'just a regular Motown singer' image you cite that caused him to rebel against Berry Gordy and record What's Going On.

So no, he was not just some great Motown singer that suddenly decided to write and produce his own album. Years of hard slogging led up to What's Going On.
[This message was edited Tue Dec 23 13:16:33 PST 2003 by VoicesCarry]

And music is in such a bad state these days that I'm very reluctant to name "greats", although I think the Outkast pair (especially Andre 3000) shows definite signs of brilliance and consistency.

All greats show a form of creative restlessness, something which I really haven't seen from Maxwell. He seems content in his groove. Outkast, on the other hand, are incredibly restless, and there music is eclectic and vibrant. A definite future for them.
[This message was edited Tue Dec 23 13:09:13 PST 2003 by VoicesCarry]

Lammastide said:

When I think of great voices, people like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Luther Vandross and yes Marvin Gaye come to mind. As the voice is concerned, Prince is not in this league. At all. But great vocalists don't necessarily have to have great voices. They can express themselves vocally to convey precisely the intended sentiment of the song. Their ability to emote and shape the song to bring forth a certain feel or emotion. That's what makes a great vocalist. In this regard, Prince is in a league of his own.

intha916 said:

That's not really saying a lot. Marvin's early days with Motown weren't even spent as a vocalist. He was a session drummer for the label. I understand the point you're trying to make, but the comparison isn't really valid. I wouldn't begin to discuss Maxwell and Marvin, because for Maxwell at this point in his career he isn't worthy of that sort of comparison.
[This message was edited Tue Dec 23 15:07:11 PST 2003 by violator]

VoicesCarry said:

The fact you say Outkast shows "brilliance" and Maxwell seems "content in his groove" makes me think you either haven't heard Embya or just don't know what to listen for. And I say that as an Outkast fan. But please, don't compare them (and I'm assuming you mean Andre) to Maxwell. Apples and oranges.

violator said:

It's all hindsight. You make these statements knowing where Marvin ended up. All we are saying about Maxwell is he may get to a point of greatness.