Singer Maxwell's Pretty Wings
Brooklyn Native Empitomizes Soul of Rhythm and Blues Music
Born May 23, 1973 in Brooklyn, New York, rhythm and blues (R&B) singer Maxwell has never been one to go along with the crowd. His eclectic musical tastes bring to mind talented soul stirring entertainers like Marvin Gaye, Prince and Sam Cooke. Maxwell carries a romantic ballad as powerfully as Otis Redding and David Ruffin.
In 1994 the singer released his first studio album titled Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite. It climbed the record charts and landed at number 37 on Billboard’s United States charts; the same album reached number eight on R&B album charts. Hit songs on the album included “The Urban Theme,” “Reunion,” and the widely popular “Sumthin’ Sumthin’.”
Maxwell Reaches the Number One Spot on Billboard’s Music Charts
A year later and riding high on the success of his first album, Maxwell released his second full length recording. It was a performance recorded live at MTV. Aptly titled MTV Unplugged, the album fell short of Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite on album charts. It reached the 53rd spot on Billboard in the United States. It topped at the 15th spot on R&B album charts.
The following year in 1998, Maxwell’s third full length recording, titled Embrya, went platinum and climbed into the top five. “Everwanting,” “I’m You,” and “Submerge” were a few of the singles on the album. Three years later in 2001, Maxwell’s album Now hit the number one spot on Billboard and R&B charts.
This was the album that set Maxwell apart, that secured him a top spot in households around the world. Soul and R&B music lovers especially appreciated the album’s solo cuts “Lifetime,” “This Woman’s Work,” “Noone,” “Silently,” and “Changed.” Now topped a stellar first seven years for the singer.
Singer Maxwell’s Pretty Wings
July 7, 2009, after an eight year hiatus Maxwell is set to release his fourth studio album recording. The song “Pretty Wings,” a single from the work, has already started to create a buzz on radio stations. It’s a smooth ballad that tells the story of a lover who realizes that it’s time to let go of a relationship and move on.
Unlike other songs about jaded romantic liaisons, “Pretty Wings” makes no one the enemy, a feature that sets it apart from other farewell lyrics. The rhythm in the song has the familiar Maxwell neo-soul vibe. In parts of the song, especially near the end, Maxwell’s voice rocks, almost as if he’s begging for lover to understand that the end of their relationship, though trying, is not a bad experience. In their freedom from each other, the song makes clear, lies their freedom to move on and find other people who will truly love them.
Black Summer’s Night and Singer Maxwell
“Pretty Wings” is a fitting first release from Maxwell’s first trilogy album. The singer is currently on tour promoting his new album BLACKsummer’s night. The success of “Pretty Wings” is reminiscent of the success of the singer’s other solo releases “Lifetime” and “This Woman’s Work.”
Deeply private, Maxwell only goes by his middle name. Undoubtedly the loss of his father following an airplane accident when Maxwell was only three years old left an indelible mark upon the singer. The feelings that he may not have known how to fully express as a child after the life altering event, find their way into his lyrics, into his music.
As reported by Billboard’s April 29, 2009, Maxwell Premieres ‘Pretty Wings’ Video, Announces Tour Dates article, at the release of his fourth studio album BLACKsummer’s night at Sony Music’s New York City headquarters, Maxwell had this to say, “You need to cure and bring a connection through sound. I hope in some small way I can leave some kind of mark." His first single “Pretty Wings” has gotten him off to a good start.
Sources Cited:
Concepcion, Mariel. “Maxwell Premieres ‘Pretty Wings’ Video, Announces Tour Dates.” April 29, 2009. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/maxwell-premieres-pretty-wings-video-announces-1003967464.story. 24 May 2009
Maxwell
|
What do you think about this article?
Comments
Latest Articles