Something's been missing from Soul music for some time now. It would be naive to assume that Neo/New/Indie Soul is a pioneering genre - it is in fact a hybrid (like much of today's music) and takes influence from most musical corners. It is this 'no holds barred' attitude that makes Neo Soul 'pioneering' in this current musical climate. Within every genre is an innate genius (living within the spirit of the music) and if you can harness that raw element and incorporate it (well!) with other genre's, you're onto something special.
After a hugely long break from music and doing away with his famed 'Fro hairstyle and open shirts, Maxwell returned today after a rather good spell working with his PR machine. But lets not let his mainstream persona hold anything against him - it takes some market penetration to reach the ears of a wide enough variety of people in order to inspire a generation of would be Neo Soul singers. Sure, it's Neo Soul Pop, but I couldn't care less, I'm just glad to see him home and having watched video upon video in prelude to today's release, I'm convinced that Maxwell has become a humble man in his time out of the limelight. To take a self inflicted break for near on a decade says a lot about a guy. It's about music, not money, or at least not all about money.
The album is part of a project: BLACKsummersnight is this instalment, then we will be getting blackSUMMERSnight in 2010 and finally blacksummersNIGHT in 2011.
Buy this album, support the artist. It'll pay for itself in the amount of 'cuddle time' you'll get whilst listening to it with your partner...
And seriously, musically, it's better than I'd hoped for. I know it's only been out for a day, but having spent all day listening to it on Loop, It contains some seriously good material.
So, a track by track analysis, because it's THAT good:
Bad Habits
The resonating Organ kicks BLACKsummersnight off as you might expect from a Maxwell album, thankfully. And it builds, softly, drums and claps slowly incorporate whilst Max adopts a gentle high pitched vocal in his trademark sexy tone and in an almost split personality (at around 1.10) the full beat comes in and we all remember that Max is back. Thankfully.
Cold
It turns out that a rainy night inspired this one - the noise and rhythm that car windscreen wipers make, made Max think... and so they recorded the sound, added a nasty kick drum, chords and this one escalated into a bit of an epic. I think the brass section seems to add a real authority to this track, lyrics came second to music here. It was this song that for me, set the tone of an album which is once again treading on new territory which takes experimentation, real life inspirational sounds and an old school feel. I think this will appeal to a really diverse audience.
Pretty Wings
This was Maxwell's comeback track, well, this and a cameo on Alchemist's 'Smile', but mainly this. It had to be good, pressure for your first single after an 8 year hiatus must be immense.
For me, this song is epic and I've yet to listen without the hairs on the back of my neck jumping up when the song reaches its final crescendo. The layers of vocals and guitar riffing which beautifully intertwines with the gentle beats and claps (which in this track seem to somehow manage to steer this away from being a ballad), the use of brass section which provides stabbing emphasis as the song progresses, the raw vocal power of Maxwell and his newly adopted 'perfection doesn't mean perfect' mentality and finally the sample sound taken from a Child's bed mobile which resonates throughout the track after it's been through various synth machines..... I could go on, but as i said.. this track is EPIC.
Help Somebody
At first, I wasn't sure where this track was going, the first thing you hear is reminiscent of a Mandolin's sound, but actually it turns out that it works well. Clearly Maxwell's trying to say something in this song. The lyrics and title tell you the obvious message that he wants to put across. The drums take a walk on this one, with a clear marching pattern which is cunningly disguised and that original mandolin-type sound starts to make me think 'this track's putting me on edge, I'm not feeling relaxed'. Make no mistake, this isn't a typical Maxwell track, he has grown as a man with opinions and anger at the goings on in the World.
Stop the World
Taking a much needed breather from the previous track, Stop the World provides a musical oasis in the stressful desert of track 4 previously. A classic Maxwell composition, in a good way. A warm acoustic guitar, gospel organs with loving, monogamous lyrics which flow with a real 'question and answer' feel. I love the intro 'Someone stop the world, yeah. Seems like the moment is coming' I'm, gonna get you girl.' and lyrics like 'Let the world rage outside, cause when I'm in here with you, the world stops for me'. Beautiful.
Love You
Well, the name sounds a tad cliché but you know what, this is in fact an up-tempo track, a head nodder. More monogamy where Max pleads to his lady that he wants to be allowed to love her, cause he can. Packed with long flowy chords from brass, organs, piano and some percussion which are hard-panned to the right (as is the organ). There's a happy, positive feeling to this one, it's not complex, just nice and smooth.
Fistful of Tears
I'll admit to thinking that the intro, up to the point where Max starts singing, sounds as if it could be an Usher Raymond, Lil' Jon produced track. The reality is that statement of mine is a disgrace and an insult. But forgive me, because beyond the 13 second mark, the instrumental makes sense and totally makes me question how i could mistake it in the first place. The obvious Cymbal crash at the end of each 4th beat is a clear sign that a real drum kit made this beat. Again, without even focusing on lyrics, the strings in this track are evoking a rushing emotion, a soulful, upset blues element. The gospel feel to the organ again reinforces that and the weeping guitar proves the title. It's as if Maxwell wrote this to his lady, asking for her emotional support in a time of need. Max is beyond the masculine bravado mask worn by his peers, proven by this public statement.
Playing Possum
Here, the 'possum' is his non-responsive lady, it seems to me that Max wants to help her with whatever her emotional problem is. Well, that's what I feel like he's saying. It's an atmospheric, slow, acoustic track with slow guitar chords and a subtle thunder sounding undertone which to me sounds like the rumbling of a Timpani drum. Add the single trumpet which plays a sorrowful, blues inspired melody and there's the track summed up...and in fact the entire album - a darker version of Maxwell's music, hence this being BLACKsummersnight. The next instalment will be more cheerful.
Phoenix Rise
This, for me, would be better if it were either a 7 minute finale or an intro to the album. I simply love it but feel it is too short (I WANT MORE). I know that this album was organic in development and I'm pretty sure this was a derivative of a jamming session by the session musicians. Maxwell isn't on this, opting to let the band have their moment, and what a moment. The synths which turn the organ into a sound that would fit well within the House music scene, the broken drum beat, laid back guitar, slap bass guitar....this is beautiful and I cant wait to have the opportunity to play this on some high quality speakers, LOUD.
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