REVIEW: MAXWELL - BLACKsummers’night
Wednesday, July 8, 2009

After nearly a decade since his last album was released, Maxwell is back w/ BLACKsummers’night, the darker opening installment of a trilogy. blackSUMMERS’night (which has a gospel feel) & blacksummers’NIGHT (slow jam records) are slated for release in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Maxwell explained that “the time away gave me a better appreciation of things, so I took the time I needed to live to make this album something of substance.” And that, it certainly is. Working again with long-time collaborator Hod David, who serves as co-producer and co-writer of the album, Maxwell delivers a smooth, sensual, soulful album that is well worth the wait set behind a blues background (which includes a 10-piece band) and dealing with love lost.
BLACK opens with the quintessential slow jam, “Bad Habits”, a bluesy mid-tempo number with an amazing horn arrangement, which Maxwell calls “the saltiest and most aggressive record I’ve ever done”. The jazzy, hot “Cold” follows, describing a lady love (”Global warming ain’t got nothing on this chick. She’s not to play with. You can’t just leave this. You can’t just think that you can quit this. She’ll make you regret this. She’s on top, and she means business.”).
The angel-soft lead single ballad, “Pretty Wings”, is both sexy and mournful as Maxwell laments about a failed relationship. But with “Stop the World”, Maxwell seductively details experiencing a love that makes the world seem to stop with no worries or battles. The pleading “Love You” is next with Maxwell explaining, “I can be anything you want me to be. I just wanna love you.” “Fistful of Tears” deals with the possibility of opening up to love in spite of painful experiences of the past, while “Playing Possum” revives a love lost (”I’m begging you sugar, have some leniency. Call the president, and ask him, baby, to pardon me and bring you back to me.”) The album concludes with the instrumental “Phoenix Rise”.
BLACKsummers’night, marking the triumphant return of Maxwell, is filled with raw emotion and exhibits his maturity not only as an artist but also as a man able to let go of being afraid to love. The only disappointment is that the album is just over a half-hour, leaving you wanting more and counting down until SUMMERS’NIGHT.
Make sure you pick up your copy of BLACKsummers’night in stores or online today.









86 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: [1] 2 » Show All
1.
*DIVA*
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
love him!
2.
Juicy SuperStar
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I cant wait to buy his CD… I have missed his music so much… He is a nice change to some of the nonsense being played on the radio…
3.
Blue Suede Shoes
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I read that Maxwell’s CD is projected to sell 250-300 thousand albums in his first week. Congrats to him!
4.
Kassidy
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
cant wait to get his album
5.
alexis
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
his cd is sooooo good!
i recommend it if you want to listen to REAL music!
6.
Nothing But Love
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I’ll probably get this album..
7.
bride-to-be
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
My fiance got Maxwell’s CD for me yesterday. i LOVE it!!!!!
8.
ashleighTDOT
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
lawd….my panties just exploded while lookin at that picture LOL.
JEEZ THAT MAN IS SO SEXY IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL
im getting his album
9.
sha sha85
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
got my copy yesterday…..im in luv with the whole album especially bad habits and fistful of tears!
welcome back maxwell!!!
10.
ANGELONFIRE
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
It’s IN STORES NOW y’all! Get it today. Soooo good!
11.
S. Dot
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Great album! Wish it had more tracks though.
12.
Martinique_fr
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I am definitely getting Maxwell’s new album. I’ve been waiting for it for years. There’s nothing like “real”, sexy, music with substance.
13.
NOT HIS BEST WORK!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I didn’t like the pretty wings vid, but after listening to some other tracks on the cd, I purchased 2!!! Yummy.
14.
hood_shit
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
great review.
15.
DARKAQUA
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
LOL…THIS ONE CD I WOULDN’T HAVE CARED WHAT THE REVIEW SAID…I’M BUYING THIS!!!
PEOPLE HUNGRY FOR REAL LYRICS, RESPECT FOR THE CRAFT…BOW DOWN…REAL MUSIC IS BACK!!!
NOW I NEED LAURYN AND D’ANGELO TO SHAKE OFF THE DEVIL AND START WORKING ON THEIR GOD GIVEN TALENT AGAIN
SADE COMING BACK IN NOVEMBER!!!….(happy dance!!!!!!)
16.
Deann
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I’m loving “Playing Possum”!!! Makes me want to get some wine and put on one of my favorite pieces (clothing) and snuggle up on the sofa..lol. Love it!
17.
Yung_Money
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
His label didnt even promote his album cuz I didnt even know it was out yet. I really dont understand how artists with REAL talent slip under the radar yet these one-hit wonders keep dominating the airwaves.
18.
JstBReal
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Pretty Wings is the ish!!!!!
19.
MOCHA NOCHA
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I’m so in love with his first look, that it’s hard to grasp his new one. Change can be good though! And that voice still captures my soul, OOOOHH I love me some Maxwell.
20.
lion_heart
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
What happen to the bonus with nas
21.
Mary
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I thought the album sucked. It is better than Now but I expected more from him. He was gone 7 yrs. I’m sorry but he should have come harder than that. This project was disappointing and weak. However, I’m not a huge fan so maybe my expectations are too high. I also don’t find him sexy at all. Great voice but nothing to really look at.
I do wish him the best.
22.
BLACKbalance
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Is it me or I feel like I’ve been so saturated with garbage music that listening to this I was bored out my mind. (yawn) I thought he would have came back with a little bit more fire… Him being the MAX-WELL and all!
23.
thelatestmaxwellnews.com
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Win tickets to see Maxwell tickets in NYC tonight (July
see how: http://www.thelatestmaxwe...-see-maxwell-tonight-nyc/
24.
KAYBEEZ
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Whooooo running home to dowload this from Itunes today!! LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!!!
25.
LMAO
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
This CD has 9 songs on it. I dont care if they are 9 of the most amazing songs ever recorded I wont buy an album with less than 12 songs on it. I know he could have included at least 3 more songs on the album that were good and fit the overall feel of the record. Therefore I bootlegged it. Its ok so far.
26.
SERIOUS
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I love the live band on the album. I also love Pretty Wings and Bad Habits.
27.
Kris in Dallas
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
That damn CD is so Bomb!!
Maxwell is one of the greats!! This new CD is probably the best I’ve heard all year!!
Everyone owes it to themselves to check it!
28.
DrmKpr
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Bad Habits [that song will be the death of me!!!]
Pretty Wings
Fistfull Of Tears
Playing Possum [I can not take this damn song off repeat]
Cold
Stop The World
As you can tell I freaking love the cd… I will say I tried to jump through the cd only listening to snippets of songs and was scared I wouldn’t like the cd but calming my ass down and actually listening to the entire cd… letting each song play out… I’m done and his again. What I think is most amazing about this cd it made me realize how damn good he is. After listening to Blacksummer’snight a couple of time I went and pulled out Maxwell’a earlier music and have been jamming since!!!! Started out with Urban Hang Suite… worked my way through MTV Unplugged, Embrya, Now, the songs from the various soundtracks [Fortunate, Sumthin Sumthin: Mellosmooth, Let's Not Play The Game] and finally Blacksummer’snight again I am in Maxheaven and loving every minute of it!!!! Thank you Maxwell for singing real music… Thank you!!!!!!
29.
M$. Ho!!@nd
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
His album is sold out of the best buys in my area. I’m hot because I want to use my gift certificate.
30.
DrmKpr
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I got my copy as soon as the stores opened yesterday and have not stopped listening to it…. glad to have real music back…. yeah it’s only nine songs on the cd… eight in which there are actual singing but i’ll take that in a heartbeat over twenty songs of nonsense on another cd…. love you max!!!!
31.
OMG everything!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I want this CD, I can’t wait to purchase this CD
32.
KSH
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
CD is classic Maxwell. He needs to change nothing about his craft. The band make the album sound like a 70’s Score and i love it!
Well done and well worth the wait!
33.
*(%)*
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I’m listening to it right now. It’s a excellent CD.
Can’t wait to hear the rest of the trilogy.
34.
pretty WANGS!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
i haven’t even heard this album, and i’m already in love! pretty WANGS is my favorite song in the world. look forward to hearing some good, quality music again!
35.
Evelyn N. Alfred
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
This CD has been worth the wait. I’m glad I won’t have to wait another 8 years to get some more music from Maxwell. I’ll just be wearing this CD out until Summer comes out. Playing Possum is the cut, okay. I hope Maxwell makes it to his CBS performance safely…
36.
LeeLee
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
At first I didn’t like the it but I had a greater appreciation for the CD once I watched the DVD. It really is grown folks RnB. If you lookin for Ego’s and Birthday Sex, this is not the one. Great CD MAX!!!
37.
WESTNDNBEAUTY
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I listened to his CD from someone who purchased it and I must say it is a very nice album. You can listen to it from start to finish. My personal favorite is Help Somebody, such an uplifting song. I will be ordering a copy from Amazon.com. From now on, I supporting artists such as Maxwell who make great music consistently.
38.
KIra
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Im only 19 but Im feeln that Maxwell Cd. Heard it weeks before and looove it!!! yeah lil disappointed only 30 min but nonetheless greatly crafted!!
39.
Bayaba
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I was a little disappointed when I picked up the CD and there were only 9 tracks and then listened to the CD and the last track is an instrumental but then I thought about it….
Would it be better to have a CD with 8 quality songs or a CD with 17 tracks but 10 songs are straight garbage and the other 7 are just ok? Definitely the CD with 8 quality songs!!!
40.
welfare case
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Maxwell is an A$$hle. He shoewed up hella late to the essence festival and then refused to take pics!! I am not buying his album, he doesnt appreciate his fans at alll!
41.
Tis the truth
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I loooooooooooove Maxwell, I really need to get this CD. He is such an incredibly talented man
42.
I'ma Diva
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Lovvvvvve him…Real Music baby!!!
43.
jESSi
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
# 8 wow u made me SPIT my juice out .. that was to funny ! I see what u mean tho
I love pretty wings ! Finnally real music… MUSiC of substance that doesn’t involved singin’ about an alcohol substance! (Jamie foxx , tpain, lil wayne , ETC)
Man I need to get this ABLUM asap :-X!
44.
Tashie B
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Glad to have real music. Hope it’s making a comeback.
45.
DARKAQUA
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
40.
welfare case
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Maxwell is an A$$hle. He shoewed up hella late to the essence festival and then refused to take pics!! I am not buying his album, he doesnt appreciate his fans at alll!
I WAS THERE…JAZMINE AND MISS ANITA BAKER WENT OVER THEIR TIMEFRAME, SO THEREFORE MAXWELL SET RAN LATE…DUDE WAS IN THE CONVENTION CENTER SIGNING AUTOGRAPHES FOR HELLA LOT OF PEOPLE
MAXWELL IS A VERY HUMBLE MAN AND REALLY APPRECIATES HIS FANS…ANGEL WAS AT EMF SO SHE CAN DEFINITELY BAKC UP WHAT I SAID
46.
What The @##$%@
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
i love his grown and sexy style, i am a young woman but i was able to appreciate him when he first came out. the neo soul genre i have missed so much is back and i am so happy!!!
47.
Just Keepin it Real
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
This CD is so fire. My only complaint is that I waited 8 years for a Maxwell CD and had to spend another 10 min trying to open it. Why do they make CD so hard to get into? Fire. Real music is back.
48.
lavender
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I know thats right #36….ego and birthday sex and anything The dream is singing is NOT r&b………r&b stopped in the 90’s …….so I am glad for expections like fine ass Maxwell………..oooh he is sooooooooooo fine…….still giving us great music….haven’t even listened to the cd…dont need to..I know its stellar…he has given us repeatedly solid material ever since he came out why should this time b any different……..I’ll keep hope alive that one day we will b together….:)
49.
ImJustSayn
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
@#25 didnt thriller only have 9 songs on it and look what happen to it! whats better 9 great songs or 12 songs where only 3 or worth listening to and the otehr 7 suck because they were placed on the album so that it would be “enough” songs this is why the music business is in such a bad shape cuz they cater to the majority and the majority of people are wack and have no idea what real music is or what it takes to make a great classical album u might want to try copn Jerimih or Pleasure P i’m sure u get 12 songs talkn of nothing but fukn, a woman’s anatomoy, fukn, clubn or and lets not 4get FUKN this is a grown man we talkn bout(maxwell) it dont take long to say what u have to say!
50.
thickems
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Love me some him ! ! ! I am so thrilled that he is back on the scene ! ! !
51.
thickems
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I will back you up DARKAQUA. I was there working behind the scene.
There was also technical difficulties. Long as I have known him, he doesnt make any fans wait for him to perform. He appreciate them dearly. Very humble young man ! ! !He was at the Superdome ahead of schedule, but the engineers have to fix the problem after Anita left the stage.
Now Erykah Badu has her fans waiting, never Maxwell. When he have to be on the stage at a certain time, he is waiting in the wings.
52.
Taylor
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I think Ill buy it whenever I go school shopping. Ill try not to spend much on clothes (even though I dont). CDs arent that expensive.
53.
Neena
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I love this CD!!! I got my ass in the tub and listened to the whole thing.. Also, a little disappointed the entire CD is 37 mins and some change..but every song is really good.. I think I listened to Pretty Wings 6 times in the tub!! LOL.. You just get a high listening to him..
@48 Lavender.. you are so right! R&B died in the 90s.. I thought the same thing when I saw Guy, New Edition and BBD on BET.. I wish Lauryn Hill would get her life straight and finally shut these “divas” and other broads down..
54.
Neena
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I know this is off topic.. but is anyone else tired of looking at Mariah’s half naked 40 yr old ass as the background.. I miss the classy Mariah that could actually sing and not breath and giggle on tracks.. She should have stayed with Tommy Mottola
55.
MI
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
luv maxwell!!
56.
shawn
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Maxwell CD is strait FIYAH !!! Although, short it effn rocks!!! I would rather have 8 great songs than 16 bullish songs any day…Fabulous Effn CD !!!! Real Music !!!
57.
PYTMissyouMichael
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Love Maxwell, love the title, love the ballads very happy in my purchase something I haven’t been in a long while.
58.
Sharlem
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I really like the album, don’t love it but I really enjoy listenin 2 it. Favorite tracks are Cold and Fistful of Tears. Has anyone heard that song On The Ocean by K’Jon…gives me that Maxwell vibe….yall should check it out @ http://www.myspace.com/whoiskjon
59.
Krazee
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Could you get rid of the Mariah “Scary” background!!! I was totally upset with her and her cocktail dress she wore to a memorial service!!! Maxwell cd, back to what I’m suppose to post, is okay. I expected more but it beats listening to Jamie Foxx’s and all the rest of those non singing folks who put out a cd!!! They know who they are!!!
60.
KingChris23
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Real music is finally back! Not that generic, recycled Jeremih crap! So what if the CD has 9 tracks. Quality always outweighs quantity anyway. It’s worth the purchase for “Pretty Wings” anyway!
61.
Luvbug
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I’ll be Maxwell’s Black Summer Nite, you can believe that with his fionnnnneeeeee azz.
62.
MAXWELL-MYBLACKSUMMER'SKNIGHT
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I love all the songs except for “COLD”! My favorite is “STOP THE WORLD” because he talking about me in that song
hahahaha! “Bad Habit” is his next release. The radio station that I listen to just played it. I can’t wait to see the “Bad Habit” video.
63.
BlackPudn
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I couldn’t wait for this cd to drop. I had to download it online. BUT, I BOUGHT IT! I saw Maxwell when he came to Memphis, TN on his BLACKSummersnight Promo Tour. I was so ready for Jazmine Sullivan to get window bustin’ azz off the stage so I could hear my baby Maxwell!!! He was so worth the wait. CLAWD HAM MERCY that man had me in the mood as soon as he hit the stage. I screamed for the 1st 10 minutes of the show. I told my hubby before we got to the concert to not even get jealous if I start screaming. If he was going to act like a rear-end, he needed to stay his rear-end at home. I don’t play about my Maxwell. He was cool.
I have to strongly disagree with the poster saying he is rude and keeps his fans waiting. I wasn’t at the Essence Music Festival but when he was here in Memphis, he kept giving us more and more. He often stopped between songs to say how much he appreciated us waiting on him. After the concert was over, he came back on stage and did 4 more songs. Such a gentleman and a humble man.
Now, the CD…I must say that listening to the album the 1st time, I wasn’t in love with it. But, I listened to it again and again, wooooo weeeeee,….that man has some serious lyrical abilities. I mean, you get him, you get it, you know what he’s talking about. The cd gave me a Marvin Gaye type vibe. I support real talent…none of that “blame it on the ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah….” junk on everybody’s ringtone.
And, yes….Lauryn Hill need to shake herself loose and send these no vocal range, no musical depth, no message-having wannabes back to school! Lauryn was a lyricist too. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is in heavy rotation on my Zune. Lauryn….where you at? Come back! Hip Hop/R&B hasn’t been the same since she dropped off the map!
64.
Classyjojo
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
I didn’t care for the album…I listened to it once, and it bored me…lol…oh well, maybe I’ll try it again…
65.
UM...I GUESS
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
i’m honestly in love with him. and his music. like, it’s kind of ridiculous.
please someone tell me that the gay rumors are just that- rumors! i asked about them before but didn’t get a response. i’m really concerned. haha
66.
FREQUENCY528
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
This cd is awesome. A very mature 70’s vibe to it. Finally real music is back, not autotune, live instruments and great vocals. A friend emailed it to me 2 weeks ago, but I bought it today. In love. My faves are:
Love You
Bad Habits
Fistfull of Tears
Pretty Wings
67.
ChokLitFactory
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 /
Good review J.Dakar! I will def be copping this album…my review will have to wait until I get my hands on a copy…
68.
oneofakind
Thursday, July 9, 2009 /
This album is good….very mature & classy…some people wont get it. And for those saying its too short,remember he will have the next 2 cds in the trilogy coming soon.
69.
PEEPLPAYATTENSHUN
Thursday, July 9, 2009 /
I WAS HOPING TO GET THE TAKE OF THAT FREE LANCE WOMAN YOU USE SOMETIMES…I THINK HER NAME IS KHADIJA MAYBE, BUT ANYWAY J.DAKAR YOU DID FANTASTIC WITH THE WRITE UP. I CAN’T SEE BRYAN DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
70.
mr.divo
Thursday, July 9, 2009 /
i loooooooooove this album i pre ordered the deluxe version on itunes they rest of yall need to get it if you dont, the real copy because this real great music n maxwell is fine as fuk all yall 14 yr olds know about is beyonce……..death……….
71.
sarcasmic
Thursday, July 9, 2009 /
NEVER REALLY LISTENED TO HIS MUSIC BEFORE, BUT THIS MAN CLEARLY HAS TALENT. SO I’M GETTING A COPY..I’M DOWN TO HEARING GOOD MUSIC, UNLIKE THE GARBAGE THAT PLAYS ON RADIO NOW A DAYS
AND IT DOESN’T HURT THAT HES IS SO DAMN SEXY!
YUM!!
72.
KAYBEEZ
Thursday, July 9, 2009 /
Okay , downloaded this last night from Itunes…I’m not sure the names of the new songs I like, but playing posums is so beautiful, I love it!! My only complaint is the album is waaaay too short!
73.
maxwellmusic341
Thursday, July 9, 2009 /
Maxwell is back! I found this great photo gallery with pictures from the Maxwell show last night in NYC. I wish I was there, it was one of his first shows since the release of “Blacksummers’night”, which is amazing by the way. Check out the pictures here along with an article about the show:
http://tinyurl.com/maxwellnycpics
http://tinyurl.com/maxwellnycstory
74.
JCUTIE
Thursday, July 9, 2009 /
Like “Playing Possum”….I’m still stuck on Musiq’s “So Beautiful” song though!!!
75.
blackshadow78109
Friday, July 10, 2009 /
I got the pleasure of seeing Maxwell live 2JUL09 in San Antonio,TX……Damn….That’s really all I can see. That man SANG….some of you don’t know what that is ( for the young crowd)…That man SANG every note…as if he created it for the first time….Some of you keep complaining that the album only has 9 songs. I agree it’s too short…that’s only because it’s hard to STOP when somethings SO GOOD…..I haven’t bought or downloaded ANYONE’s album who had 100% good music on it….15 songs only yielded 6-7 good ones…..do the math….REAL R&B is BACK!!!
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