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Maxwell Biography
Review The Artist (16)
With the sly, gurgling funk of "Get To Know Ya," the first single from Now, Maxwell announces his return in sensual, celebratory, terms. As a horn section punches in and out, bobbing and weaving in counterpoint to his heartfelt testimony, Maxwell signifies that for him, sexual attraction involves understanding a woman, not objectifying her. It's this kind of old-fashioned romantic attitude fused with an utterly modern sound that's helped Maxwell stand out in a crowded field of RnB soul men. And it's what makes Now, his third full-length studio album, his most sophisticated and sexiest yet.
Following the platinum successes of 1996's Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite and 1998's Embrya as well as 1997's gold-certified MTV Unplugged EP, Now is bothconceptually simpler while, at the same time, a leap forward in consciousness." Now is about a moment-to-moment energy," says the singer and songwriter, "and that in itself can be a cohesive idea, just as much as a concept record. Where as my first album was definitely about a specific concept--a love affair--this album is more about having experiences and writing about it and not being on some grandiose tip. It ties to the idea of just letting things be, rather than being cautious or contrived."
Maxwell, who almost single-handedly ushered in a new era in contemporary soul when he released Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite in 1996, is not a man to sit still for long, nor to repeat himself. "I named it Now because--where as Urban Hang Suite was the past, Embrya was about the future, about consciousness and the euphoric, surreal, intangible energy in music--this album is about the moment, encompassing both the past and the future at the same time. There's a combination of everything in this record," Maxwell explains.
"It's about randomness and about being really honest, feeling really sexy at one moment and then feeling really stupid and happy and giddy. It's like me saying to a girl, 'sometimes I just want to talk to you.' It's also about being a grown-up and not acting like I'm 21 anymore, because I'm not. There's funk in it, there's slow songs, it's up and down, down and up. There are clear song structures in some tracks,
some not."
The songs on Now cover a wide range of topics. "Lifetime," according to Maxwell, deals with "taking responsibility for yourself, getting through the experience of now, living out your karma and cleaning it up. And getting to a higher realm of living. Sometimes it's easy to just live with what you know. So 'Lifetime' is about growing up and getting over bullshit and honestly looking at what serves you and what doesn't."
That's not to suggest that Maxwell's vision of romance is devoid of carnal fantasy. "Temporary Nite," recalls late 80s-era Prince, with funk and
rock colliding in a steamy fusion, while Maxwell contemplates an affair that might just be an "earthquake in the making" but without substance,
it "won't change a lonely afternoon."
"W/as My Girl" is a lush, dreamy ballad, that invites listeners to melt slowly, flickering like a candle between the realm of desire and bliss. The song features Bruce Bolton, the pedal steel guitarist from Shania Twain's band. "Stuart (Matthewman) has a friend who plays it and when I heard that sound I melted," says Maxwell. "Most country ballads you hear have pedal steel guitar. It's like the way violins feel sad, the pedal steel adds that."
"Changed" recalls the heyday of 60s soul, with its body-jerking groove and gospel-tinged vocals. Maxwell uses the song to examine the actions of another wanting a second chance.
"It's about the push and pull of love," he explains. "We all go through this. We like who doesn't like us. We love the person who won't show love. 'Changed' is about the person coming back into your life and your realization that, and even thought you still feel the feelings, it's about being equal with them, not saving someone."
Now also includes a studio version of Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work," one of Maxwell's most popular live songs, which he also covered on MTV Unplugged.
"I did it as a tribute to this little girl who came to a show in Los Angeles as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the summer of 1999," he explains. "Her wish was to meet me and she passed away six months later from cancer. So I re-recorded the song for her."
Of his work with co-collaborator, writing partner and friend Hod David on Now, Maxwell says, "Hod really gets it and also being so grounded he helped bring so much on Now to earth. I'm grateful to have had him on this record."
Maxwell also credits longtime collaborator/ producer/ co-songwriter/ multi-instrumentalist Stuart Matthewman (Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, Embrya) with providing great support and more patience than Job during the late night studio sessions.
He attributes inspiration from legendary guitarist Wah Wah Watson, who's played with a vast array of artists including Marvin Gaye, Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Hancock and Barry White.
Maxwell was born in Brooklyn with the traditions of West Indian music inside his home, while on the outside hip-hop and early 80s soul ruled the asphalt. "More than anything I went and found the sounds that I liked," he remembers. "I wasn't necessarily influenced by everything that was around me when I grew up, but having family from four islands in the Caribbean made for a wealth of influences."
Growing up in a rough and tumble neighborhood of East New York, the shy young teenager tended to be a loner, and spent hours in his bedroom composing a growing catalog of songs. "Music filled my time up, and it brought me to a place where I had hope for a better future. I loved growing up there in that element and what it meant."
With his debut, Maxwell changed the RnB game forever. The album was a conceptual whole, devoted to exploring a single love affair, and with his sultry falsetto and elegant musical arrangements, Maxwell added a much-needed dose of old-fashioned romance to RnB at a time when increasingly tacky bump 'n' grind was the order of the day. "At the end of the day," he says, "if it's sensual, it's timeless. Sexuality has a lot of trends and essentially, if you're centered about what you do, and don't worry what your boys think about you, if you're just being what you are, people will gravitate toward that. I'm not always on the mark but all you can do is live and try"
As he found material success, though, Maxwell discovered that something was still missing, and delved more deeply into a spiritual path which had always been part of his life, but by his early 20s, had become an all-consuming passion. The songs on Embrya reflected the heart and mind of an artist in the process of transformation.
With Now, the process is by no means over. But we can hear a clearer, more resolved version of Maxwell: he's integrated meditation, musings and readings, as well his own life experience, into the songwriting process.
Asked where he sees Now fitting in to the arc of his career, Maxwell is typically optimistic. "I think I'm going up. Not just in terms of the charts, but up in terms of consciousness and self-awareness. Not being too serious, and yet being serious. Everything at once. When you live in the moment, it's everything at once, the possibilities of the future, and the past, too. You can really relish things as they happen when you don't worry about what was and what will be. You make it happen by being in the moment." |
Would you please submit the latest Maxwell biography to me? Thank You.
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Review about Maxwell
SimplyWonderful | Reviewer: keshia Harrison | 10/26/09
Let's take our hats off to the world's most wonderful entertainer ever Maxwell you truly are a show stopper talened, well groomed and very graceful. You truly are a singer,song writer and entertainer.
Undescribable | Reviewer: Karen | 10/23/09
I have listened to Maxwell over the years and have loved everything that he's sang, he stills moves me and there are so many words that I can say about his music but it would take too long. This is one talented human being and he's handsome, he have a good attitude and a blessed individual. I love this new CD so much my only word to describe it is undescribable.
It'sYou | Reviewer: Licia | 9/17/09
Maxwell,
You are a Great artist with a sexyness that eludes you without trying. You have grown into a beautiful man. Yes, a beautiful man. Your music has always been sultry and grooving. Congrats on your new cd. It was well worth waiting for. His cd's before now are awesome as well. Gosh, I love you and your music. He sings from his heart.Watch his lips and listen to his words. Such an amazing man. GLAD he's back. Go, Maxwell!!!
Maxwell is the man!!!! | Reviewer: Pethrona | 8/16/09
From I was 16 years old and in the 12th grade, I heard Til the Cops Come Knocking then Ascension, I fell in love with Maxwell. I am gonna be 29 this month and in 2007 when I heard he was gonna bring out a new album, I was like a baby that got candy for the first time.
I love his music, I love the fact that he is religious, I love his style and i love his character, his sex appeal, everything. Everything he writes is like sweet poety. My twin tells me, what is with you and this Maxwell, I tell her am obsessed and only true lovers of neo soul can relate. He is fine, he can sang, he is sexy, he is everything any woman would want.
My Maxwell.
Real Music | Reviewer: shan | 7/24/09
I became a big fan of Max because he was the only one that was making music worth listen to. You know today people really do not know what real music is. I mean this man's music always has a story behind it. He puts out music that everyone can relate to. I love his voice, his style, his handsome face, but most of all his humble attitude. I really would like to ask him in person where does all of this humility come from. I mean most people who become famous forget who they are and where they come from. I hope that he continues to be the man that he is. Much Love Shan
Who Is Maxwell? | Reviewer: Ricky | 5/29/09
This dude is other worldly. There is just something transcendent about his style. His music comes from new depths, new realms, and many of his videos have that same haunting spirituality about them. I am a musician, a big fan of Prince, D'Angelo, Tomi. My wife loves her some Maxwell though. I never really paid much attention to Maxwell until now--"Pretty Wings." My wife is still levitating. Unbelievable! The dude has got to be the badest, greatest R&B Soul artist ever. Can't wait for Blacksummer's Night
Life Changing | Reviewer: DAR | 5/19/09
I love the spirituality of this man. I have been an fan since he first came out, but the song lifetime was the song that made me love him. It had depth, honesty and more importantly it started a journey for me of living in the moment. It made me look at the time I'd wasted and really think. I thought, time is one of the valuable resources in life and one that I can't get back. I had to ask myself the question; what am I doing with it and am I making it count? I have made adjustments in my life and will continue to make them. We evolve constantly, that is the growth process. Thank You Maxwell! Stay true to yourself and your art. It's those truths that make your music pure, uplifting, encouraging and it my case it provoked me to change for the better.
Much Love,
DAR
The best singer in the world | Reviewer: barbara vire | 3/21/09
he has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard he hits my soul and my spirit he has the most sexiest rythum, to go with his music thier one maxwell please don't ever leave the music world you woke up the music world,nothing better someone that loves and he also very very sexy.in other words he has the sparkle thats a gift from God, you can be sad and put his music on and your mind goes somewhere else with him.
Glad He's Releasing A New Album | Reviewer: Theresa | 4/20/08
I have never in my life posted anything about any artist, actor, or singer on the internet, mainly because I didn't care enough to. But I just had to post something about Maxwell. It has been too long since his last album. I was wondering when the next album was going to be released. I heard "Pretty Wings" on his Myspace page and was so impressed. I listen to it daily, (More Than Once, Of Course). I think that he is one of the most talented SINGERS alive. There is no words to express how wonderful his music really is. He is in a class ALL by himself.
I read that he had cut his hair. DAM, That was disappointing. Well, anyways, He's still the most sexiest man alive. LOL
Maxwell, keep making beautiful music with meaningful lyrics. You are truly amazing.
WHERE IS MAXWELL???... | Reviewer: SeXy | 4/3/08
Can ANYONE tell me WHAT ever happened 2 MAXWELL???...I heard a "snippet" of a song by him called "Pretty WIngs Of Love" the other day and I was BLOWN AWAY!...AGAIN!!!...Can ANYONE tell me WHERE 2 FIND this song;I haven't been able 2 FIND IT ANYWHERE!...Is this something possibly 4rm a NEW album he's workin on???...Please let me know!...
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Review the Artist Maxwell
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