Arriving in 1996 at the peak of the neo-soul scene, smooth US vocalist Maxwell introduced himself as a singular voice in the contemporary scene. He resisted the prevailing trends with a slower, more deliberate touch that can be heard all throughout his chef d'oeuvre. ‘Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)’ and ‘Sumthin’ Sumthin’’ glide on warm instrumentation and measured groove, while ‘…Til the Cops Come Knockin’’ leans into a deeper, searing late-night intensity. Lyrically, the album is framed as a loose narrative of romance and connection that keeps you mentally engaged as well as emotionally and physically. Decades on, its balance of intimacy and musical craft still feels distinctive and is what makes it an enduring cornerstone of modern r&b.
Pickup available at Dreamhouse Records London
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