Maxwell Black Summer’s Night Album Review
Franc G. | Jul 07, 2009 | Comments 57
Tracklist
01. Badhabits 5:52
02. Cold 4:03
03. Prettywings 5:10
04. Helpsomebody 4:01
05. Stoptheworld 3:56
06. Loveyou 3:35
07. Fistfuloftears 3:40
08. Playingpossum 4:24
09. Phoenixrise 2:41
Maxwell Black Summer’s Night Album Review – Maxwell “BLACKsummers’night” was released this week.This is the first CD from the neo-soul singer in eight years.Fans have been waiting for this for a very long time and the question is:did he deliver?
Well the answer is not simple,because by all accounts ‘BLACKsummers’night’ is a decent album (thanks to the production) but it is pale in comparison to his previous classics “Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite” and “Now.”
In all honesty in two weeks,I might listen to only two songs from this CD “Help Somebody” and “Pretty Wings”,unless it decides to grow on me miraculously.
In conclusion Maxwell will have to do better than this in the future to remind us again that he is Marvin Gaye’s true musical heir.
I have to give Maxwell “Blacksummer’s Night” a 3/5.
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Filed Under: Album Reviews
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This album will grow on you, I’ve been listening for over a week, don’t ask how, did purchase my copy yesterday. It very organic. I dose not have the Cottonbelly production that I love, but he sounds great, no frills, no voice distortion, no gimmicks, just good old fashion R&B.
As always, I am up at 12:00 am.; waiting to purchase Maxwell’s cd. Listening to it on the way home, I thought I was tired because I couldn’t get into it. Later on, I watched the accompanied DVD (deluxe edition) and it helped me to like the CD more. This CD is his first “non-structured” work. As Maxwell stated; “Rather than being the perfectionist I was on previous albums, I wanted to just VIBE on this record and do what feels good.” Example; the song “cold” base line is an actual recording of windshield wipers from a care they were riding in that night. Hod and Maxwell tethered a microphone from 12-stories down to the car to record the winshield wipers; and the song took off from there. If I am not mistaken, “Black Summer’s Night” is a trilogy. Let’s just hope the next record is a little bit more groovy.
THANK YOU MAXWELL,THANK YOU MAXWELL,
THANK YOU MAXWELL,THANK YOU MAXWELL,
THANK YOU MAXWELL,THANK YOU MAXWELL,
THAT’S ALL I HAVE OR CAN SAY..
THANK YOU MAXWELL,
THANK YOU BROTHA…
have to say thank you to. this is maxwell best work i can put album down this is must album to have. pertty wings such great song. maxwell you have done it agin keep up the good work and every one go out there and get.
I really like the album, don’t love it but I really enjoy listenin 2 it. Favorite tracks are Cold and Fistful of Tears. Has anyone heard that song On The Ocean by K’Jon…gives me that Maxwell vibe….yall should check it out @ myspace.com/whoiskjon
I am still waiting for the CD to grow on me. I really love Maxwell and I bought the CD right away. I guess I was expecting what I was used to from him as an artist. This is quite different. I won’t give up and I am still a fan. I can’t wait until the next one releases.
I love the fact that Maxwell has not/does not submit to trends i.e. rap guest shots, Autotune etc. That said on first listen the songs sound like demos, maybe they should have cooked a little longer.
Eight years is a long time to be away, and we’ve gone through a lot musically, Maxwell is not stuck in a rut per se, but maybe a little more varied production and tempo changes are in order. Digging the organic feel of the project though.
I wish Musze would tap into his latin roots and give us a little more fire. We know he can do the love man thing, and that’s what we fell in love with from the beginning.
Change up the groove a little more, we will follow you, cause we always do.
I like my tequila straight with a twist. Black Summer’s Night is just like that. Straight up R&B with a twist on the funky background tunes.
Today was my first time listening to the album in the office.
Believe me… when u listen to it, only elegant thoughts will come into your mind. Thats the best i can describe on how terrific the album is.
Hands up, Maxwell’s music still remain the music R&B artists listen to for inspiration and aspiration.
This album is amazing.. I have been a fan of Maxwell my entire life… the sound is organic, natural, from the heart.. a true soulful production.. You can tell he really looked into himself and asked those questions, “who am I”, “what message am I trying to send”.. this may not be his all time memorable best songs.. but give it some time.. they’ll get there.. amazing album, waiting anxiously for the next two
Couldn’t agree with you more, you know they always say “good music is here to stay not just for temporaly amusment”. When I first got the albam I loved it but I was more interested in two songs which is Pretty wings & Bad habits. But with time the other songs got it me because the guy is talented and he is very good when comes to portraying love. Currently I’m deeply in love with each an every song in that album. Maxi. bring it on bro we love you, I can’t wait for your performance in SA….
The album is a CLASSIC!!! Such a departure and yet at the same time a return. Every song is brilliant. Now all I have to do is wait for Maxwell to tour Australia!
I’ve been a big fan of Maxwell since the 90s. I bought the album on iTune and found some voice distortion track “Love You”. His voice is very smooth at the beginning, but at around 2:03 his voice kinda cracks and he seems to be having difficulty hitting the high notes. Has anyone noticed this? I wonder if this is iTune’s problem or Maxwell’s record engineers are messing up. Anyone has any thought on this? I am living abroad and can’t get my hands on actual CD.
I agree with the consensus of a few people that the album is organic and cohesive. The CD is about relationships its thrill and disappointments. I find the CD very soulful.
I like a lot of the songs, but I love only two: Bad Habits and Pretty Wings. I was kind of confused a little when I played his CD for the first time because everything is different; the vocals, the beats, the lyrics. You can kind of see his stages of growth throughout all of his albums.
I was hoping for more of a classic Maxwell CD, but this CD is still worth checking out. It may or may not grow on you, it depends.
I love this CD. At first listen, I was only midly impressed. But the second time, I began to appreciate it more. The music in itself is amazing. Bad Habits, Fistufl of Tears and Pretty Wings are THE BEST songs I’ve heard in years. The album contains some classic Maxwell hits as well as sort of a new flavor. I am anticipating the next two.
I TOTALLY AGREE with you Shannon! LOVE LOVE LOVE those three songs!!! And do get a serious head bop on to Love You. I loved the cd on first listen and can’t wait for the next two.
Maxwell is by far my favorite artist, but I’m disappointed that the lack of success of Embrya (my favorite of his 4 albums) seemed to have steered him away from the genius of his music. Don’t take this for criticism on the album at all. I think this album is beautiful, and like all of his albums, takes on a color entirely its own.
I def agree with Shannon. I think Max is a bit insecure, and when people didn’t take on to his Embrya album, like his first I think he strayed away from himself a little bit, and tried to appeal to more audiences. Because I love “Shouldn’t know these things” and he seems to be transforming his style to better appeal to larger audiences. I mean it’s like you can hear hints of Maxwell’s soulful voice in his new cd, but it’s not like when you turn it on you’re like that’s Max. I guess it’s about changing and growing up, because I can say that I love the instruments, and his vocals are good too. But I think he needs to let loose a little more, and not let people influence him so much. Love the cd, but can’t wait for Night, because that’s what he sad sounds like his old school stuff
This album is NICE! @ 1st listen, I was like “this is ok”, then I listened to it about 3x back-2-back while driving up to Connecticut 4 the weekend, and by the time I got there I was like “wow”.
Sure, the sound is different, but the man has grown, so accordingly his sound has too. I will say, I was hoping for that Stuart Matthewman production, but he obviously is busy producing Sade’s next album.
This album will be under-rated @ first, just like Embrya was, b/c its ahead of its time, but listening to this makes you realize how far ahead of these auto-tune cats he is.
My only complaint is that he didn’t include “Simply Beautiful”, but “Bad Habbits” its nuts and makes up for it.
I totally agree!! I listened to it while driving long distance, and the music alone on this CD is incredible! He has matured, you can hear it in his lyrics, I absolutely love it!!
I’ve loved Maxwell every since he came on scene. I literally grew up listening to his music,(same age as he is) him being back makes me miss the hell out of the good old times but deeply appreciate just how much he’s grown and matured as have I.
He use to have that sexy in your face swag that everyone loved now he is has more of an understated sensual vibe that you can only really aprreciate if you were into his music 8 years ago.
I loved Maxwell’s efforts in the 90’s, and was thrilled to hear that, after quite a hiatus, he was coming back! Bought Black Summer Night the day it was released, and having stopped playing it yet! It’s next to impossible to stay still while listening to “Love You”. The DVD gives real context to many of the cuts.
He’s coming to NC next month. I’ll be there to support his music and say thanks for all the great music!
I think maxwells new cd black summers night was a very good cd considering he has been gone for eight years so maxwell great job
First of all, I love Maxwell. I absolutely love Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite; i think it is the best work he’s done so far. I really enjoy MTV unplugged cd and fortunate single. Embrya had to grow on me, it was such a different direction than Hang suite, but I love embrya as well as ‘Now’. There are so many excellent and interesting songs on all his CDs. And now with “Black” I really like some of the songs and love others. I love ‘bad habits, ‘love you’ and ‘fist full of tears’ and i like “cold, help somebody, and pretty wings. pheonix rise is good but playing possom will takes some getting used to. I love Maxwell’s music and look forward to the next two installments of the trilogy.
Love Ya Maxwell…very sexy man. Thanks for giving back some real music. Loving this CD with it’s upbeat, funky, sensuous and soulful sounds – listen to it everyday – back to back. Attended the Essence Festival 2009 and waited for him to enter the stage until about 1:30am – it was worth it! Can’t wait for the rest of your trilogy.
I am, have always been, and will always be a Maxwell fan. I’ve listened to this album over and over daily in the office since I picked it up. It’s just a feel good album and it gets me through my workday w/ a smile. I love Cold, Pretty Wings, and Phoenix Rise (even w/o vocals). Nobody can do it like Maxwell. Point blank.
I really like this CD. There are only 9 tracks, one of them being instrumental, and I either love/like 7 of the 8 with lyrics. That’s pretty darn good.
At any rate, the lyrics of tend to really grab my attention in music, and the lyrics to Maxwell’s songs are “deep.” Couple those deep lyrics with a nice beat and a song has me hooked; I am hooked on this CD.
I’ve seen him in concert four times and can’t wait to see him again so I can jam to the songs on this new CD!
I can’t get into it. I like track 1,3,5. I will try a couple more times, if not then I will give it to my sister.
I love you Maxwell,,,jus not the CD yet.
AWESOME RECORD MAXWELL> CANT WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE IN CONCERT!
LOVE YA!
I will listen again, but it just isn’t doing it for me yet…I still love Maxwell though!
He is wonderful.. He is a passionate soulful singer.. His live performances are Great..
U r sooooo right, the man delivers sexily, i found myself cryin at 1 of his concerts in S.A(Bloemfontein) wow…
this is a first if a trilogy~~ AND IS ONLY THE BEGGINING~~ LOVE THAT SONG FISTFUL OF TEARS,, MAXWELL MAKE THAT SONG THE SECOND SINGLE PLEAS,E,,WOW,,,WOW,,,
the album suckkk!! hannah montanha 3 sondtrack rockk ♥♥
Oh Maxwell, where have you been for eight years. I’m at work and received a broadcast email from the radio station about your new video. I am still listening to the song Bad Habit. All I can say is brillant! I’m going after work to purchase it:)
I effin love thisz cd. I listen to it all day and night . Maxwell is my husband he judt dont know it . Lol . I love everysong . Atfirst i was kinda disapoited because i was expecting some this womans work type of ish but it was nothing like that . This cd really grew on me more than expected . Hell im only 18 . All my friends love Maxwell and i do too . I hope he have somemore for us . I feel it could have been a little more songs but other than that it was great . &nd itsz also gewd to get the double disk because it helps yu understand whats really going on in the songsz . I love PlayingPossum . I think thatsz my favorite cause im just that kewl . ;]
Neo-soul at it’s best. His return is like a breath of fresh air to the game right now.. Genuine, classic vocals, no synthesizer, just pure passion. At first I wasn’t feeling it, coming from this auto-tuned filled, direct media filled society it was hard to appreciate at fist. Then it truly grew on me bit by bit. I wanted real music and he delivered!
Huge fan of Mawell, and waited so long for him to return. Bought the album when it first came out, and it was ok, but then a few more songs grew on me..he defenitely went in a different direction this time! But that’s ok, everyone changes at some point. I was hoping for more songs, especially after 8 years of being gone, but I guess its the quality not the quantity right?
Anyway saw him in concert last night at Foxwoods and he was amazing…defenitely a show worth the $$..:)
It is just too beautiful, one of the best works done the instruments, lyrics and that melody in the songs….
Well put together its for any moment:)
This is what I call good music
I have 1 thing 2 say Beautiful Maxwell beautiful im gonna get my self a copy, his soft velvety voice makes a girl wish her man was here. He sang pretty wings while in concert in S.A last year,the man is too handsome sexy n gorgeous for words,i have fallen in love with this song so much..mosdef. a much anticipated album that didn’t dissapoint very very mature.. gosh Maxwell I love U…
I think fans of Maxwell would be interested in watching his interview where he opens up to Soundcheck about the business of art, personal perfection, and why he had to walk away.
This Album is AMAZING to say the least! From the second I pressed play and heard “Bad Habits” I was in love with it!:-) The musician-ship of the Band to Maxwell’s mellosmoothe voice to the lyrics….I was in awe! The band brings him alive, and he does the same for the band. Together they made this album so FRESH an FUNKY!!! “Stop the World”, “Bad Habits” and “Fistful of Tears” are my top three songs! I saw him in concert and I was taking back by everything! I can not wait for the next in the trilogy of “Black Summers’ night”!!!!
This Album is AWESOMe! I love every song, but my favorites are Bad Habits, COld, Pretty Wings, Help Somebody, & Stop the World!!!! I’m so glad that Maxwell is back. His sound is so smooth, alluring, enticing, and seductive! The band is also the BOMB!The horns and guitars compliment his voice in ways I can’t even explain. I’m excited that he’s back and just excited for him as an artist with his sexy in a laid back way self!
this was a great comeback. this album is beautiful, how could you rate this (CRAP?,) smh.
everyone isnt as wise when it comes to music.
did GREAT, love it.
very calm, & soothing. MAX YOU STILL HAVE IT!!!
excellent comeback. i really like this album.
my favs are’
.Bad habits
.pretty wins
.playing possum,
lets just say the entire album. a true divinity
I got this album the day it was released, i couldn’t wait! After 8 years Maxwell hasn’t disappointed. I can’t get it out of my car. The man is so smooth and the music real and gritty. There aren’t many artist making real music these days, it takes you back to the old soul. My 11 year son is well and truly hooked! He didn’t realise his mum new such COOL music!
We can’t wait for the Australian tour… Bring it on!!
maxwell what an amaizing album,i love all the songs but my def fav are playin’possum,stop the world,fist full of tears and bad habits.thanks maxwell!…what a work of art.oh and your perfomance in south africa was magnificant.thanks again,love ya
i know it when i see it.you got it.always did.killing me softly with that second video,thats out now.uh huh,slowly.i’m so glad that i’m one who is able to really “tune in” to your music.your talent.it is such a pleasure.i love you.call me.
i have to be honest. i was not a big fan of MAXWELL, but I reall think he did his thing. I can listen to the whole album without skipping tracks and I play the damn thing over and over again. It really touched me and at the end I was left wanting more like I thought I had a problem with my CD player..lol
On the first listen it was a definite keeper. The album stands up to previous work and has a soulfulness that come from Maxwell through the music. I love this album.
The song I play the most is “Pretty Wings”. It is hypnotic and grooving. I like the chimes, bass, horns and organ surrounding the intense but not aggressive vocals.
Thank you “better nights, better days”.Welcome back Maxwell!
I bought album was disappointed it wasn’t even 45 min long. I could have paid $.99 and downloaded each song and come out cheaper. The songs have to grow on you other than the overplayed pretty wings you know from radio. This wasn’t classic Maxwell.
I’m a long time fan of Maxwell and I am never let down, Black Summernights is the BOMB!! My favorite is BAD HABITS!!!! I downloaded the song to my Ipod and then went to buy the CD. We are glad to have you back Maxwell!!!!
I was not sure if its something i expected or something i would love. It has grown in me and i have given it the chance to. I enjoy listening to it and i don’t regret getting the album even though that’s the feeling you get once you start listening to it. For now i like Bab Habit and the popular hit Pretty Wings. Max it’s good listen.
maxwell is his own person
This quality and taste he plastered to the album was worth while. Accepting his many mood changes and rebounds by way of heavier production.Bottom line is this was a beautiful pure album.SUMMERS’up next go and will he take us to church and then NIGHT’ to the love pad with our true love???? Owh and we turn the page w/bated patience. 4/5 stars for BLACK’
Al fin y otra vez un nuevo disco de Maxwell!
Fabuloso!
he estado esperandolo, con ganas y con alegría!
Un abrazo!
Gracias por la Música!
Dios te bendiga!
This will definitely grow on you. At first I was like, ok, whatever. I LOVE this album now, the entire album…and that’s rare. It just makes you feel GOOD. Love it.