“I want you to prove it to me in the nude,” has always been Maxwell’s mantra. The unique understanding that some of the best things uttered do not pass through our vocals; like submerging until you become the Sun.
Many are sad that they can no longer run their fingers through Maxwell’s liberated fro, but I love it. It tells me that he wants the “cococure” to be permanent. That he’s sick of looking at the high heels sideways; he wants the pleasure of choosing the shoe she wears.
Eight years is forever to be Maxwell-less. Critics doubt his status because they can’t hear past the billions of screaming women, or maybe there to up right, always vertical never horizontal. Love, sex has no lyrics. Sometime it’s carnal, frigid, mushy, other times you’re holding on each others ribs for dear life. That’s where “pretty wings” come from.
BLACKsummer’snight is Maxwell wanting to stand still. It is love in the beginning stages before becomes too ripe. It’s when you’ve played the field and out of nowhere she comes along, he comes along and pitches a perfect game. However, most times you have stragglers, late bloomers and inconsistencies.
That’s when Maxwell has to “break from you” and then he croons about “the fury of the flurry of your snow,” like on “Cold.” Lyrically, Maxwell explores forgiveness, frustration, the stopping the world feeling love gives you, and vulnerability.
BLACKsummer’snight has a sporadic mix of Al Green, P-Funk and Kool and the Gang tang to it with the passion of a male translation of Sade. It is the live intone of lover’s rock, gentle and abrupt—but this time Maxwell looks like a modern day Temptation.
Love is not always as simple as checking off a box or whatever it is that people do “‘til the cops come…” BLACKsummer’snight is another grand stand for Neo-Soul. It is also part one of a trilogy so stayed tuned folks. Who knows rather Maxwell’s love will be “Playing Possum” by the time fall comes around or if the “Phoenix [Will] Rise.”
If “love arranges you,” then Maxwell prepares you.
Written By Kaia Karamoko
