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Musical influences
Maxwell's musical influences include Sade, Loose Ends, Patrice Rushen and the majestic neo soul group Tony Toni Tone.
The person
Unlike the fabricated image that is so often portrayed in soul and R&B circles, Maxwell is a very sensitive and down to earth individual, who doesn't smoke, takes drugs, or degrade women in any way.
His thoughts on dating are very old fashioned, too, and he distances himself from the typical 'macho' image - instead believing that everyone is equal and no superior sex exists.
The team
For Maxwell's first SONY release - the Urban Hang Suite LP - a whole host of producers were hired to help Maxwell.
These included PM, Stuart Matthewman (of Sade and Sweetback success), Wah Wah Watson, and the legendary Leon Ware (he who produced the stunning Marvin Gaye set, I want you).
Leon Ware also had a helping hand in writing the excellent Sumthin' Sumthin', a laid back groove ballad which oozes class, soul and sensitivity.
Urban hang suite
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite was released in 1996 and continues to attract a growing audience to this day.
He has managed to perfect a seductive, laid-back sound that mixes the best of 70's soul with ambient Jazz.
The aforementioned UHS album generated several hits, including Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder), Whenever Wherever Whatever and Till The Cops Come Knocking. It went on to become a huge success and achieved double platinum status worldwide.
Unplugged
In 1997 Maxwell released his Unplugged set, which is an EP taken from his MTV performance. It features songs from the Urban Hang Suite set and a cover of Kate Bushs'
This Woman's Work, which in it's own way is as equally as good as the original.
Embrya
In 1998, Maxwell released Embrya, which reunited him with many of his original collaborators. The set was far more laid back than the first, with Maxwell experimenting with new styles and rifts.
Embrya received mixed reviews from critics and public alike. The album did however contain the atmospheric Drowndeep: Hula, which blends ambient soul in a highly original manner. The biggest successes however came in the forms of Matrimony: Maybe You, and Luxury: Cococure.
Fortunate scores high
Due to poor sales of Embrya, Maxwell was unfairly seen by some to be a one-album wonder, but no one knew his biggest hit was to come from the pen of R Kelly.
The song in question is entitled Fortunate, and it was recorded for the Eddie Murphy movie Life. The song was a commercial success and managed to give Maxwell his first major hit.
The new album
Maxwell is currently in the studio working on his third studio set for SONY. The album promises to be another atmospheric journey into Neo Soul and it's expected to be released sometime in March 2001. I for one can't wait!
