Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 29, 2016 10:21:59 GMT -5
"Gods" has become my favorite, just based on lyrics alone. It is weird to me.
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Post by Heart Shaped Box on Jun 29, 2016 10:35:24 GMT -5
He released Hostage today, I'm feeling that one. One of the strongest ones so far - I'll put it on par with Lake by the Ocean.
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Dreams
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Post by Dreams on Jun 29, 2016 10:49:29 GMT -5
I love it, I can't say it reminds me of any other song of his. I need to stop listening and wait for the album!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2016 13:49:00 GMT -5
I like all the tracks, but this is shaping up to be underwhelming by his standards. The first installment felt worth the 8-year gap. I had that album on repeat for months. These songs are all high-quality, but they're not having the impact his last two albums had on me when released. Everything is very understated.
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Jun 29, 2016 17:37:08 GMT -5
I like all the tracks, but this is shaping up to be underwhelming by his standards. The first installment felt worth the 8-year gap. I had that album on repeat for months. These songs are all high-quality, but they're not having the impact his last two albums had on me when released. Everything is very understated. Truth be told, I don't need this era to be as successful as part 1, this way we could get "Night" a lot sooner (within the next 2 years if we're lucky). I'm good with a solid album without multiple #1's on Urban AC.
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Gekkouga
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Post by Gekkouga on Jun 29, 2016 17:51:36 GMT -5
None of the songs are really impressive, which is a shame because we waited soo long for this.
Anyway, I think he'll do good comercially. Probably not 300k like his last record, but closer to D'Angelo's numbers from 2014.
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Jun 29, 2016 18:21:40 GMT -5
www.ew.com/article/2016/06/29/maxwells-blacksummersnight-ew-review?xid=entertainment-weekly_socialflow_twitterMaxwell's blackSUMMERS’night: EW ReviewA-Maxwell starts his new album by schooling us in “All The Ways That Love Can Feel.” And who better to do so? Over the course of a two-decade career, the R&B-soul singer has found more ways to express love than Eskimos have words for snow. Yet never has he matched his amorous entreaties to sounds as broad and fresh as these. blackSUMMERS’night makes clear, once and for all, that the old “neo-soul” tag that’s saddled him from the start has long outlived its use. The music on this record looks decisively forward, leaving behind the Marvin Gaye references which marked Maxwell’s earliest work. The music refigures the rhythms, and brings fresh textures, to familiar soul sounds. But at the same time, the title ties Maxwell to history: blackSUMMERS’night is the second in a declared trilogy. Seven years have lapsed between the first BLACKsummers’night and this sequel. It’s part of a pattern of retreat by Maxwell which has had one happy result: Each release catches him at a different point in his creative evolution. In the latest phase, he shows a new level of aggression and variety. That opening “Love” ode comes charging out of the box with a vintage disco beat, which anchors Maxwell’s balletic falsetto. From there, the beats keep evolving, from the military thrum of “The Fall,” to the horn-punctuated pluck of “III,” to the lapping undulations of “Lake By The Ocean.” Maxwell’s vocals also morph, from heavenly highs to lows that can recall Prince at his gritties. Like His Purpleness, Maxwell upholds an elaborate sense of melody. And in an age dominated by the droning monotones of Drake and The Weekend, the fullness of Maxwell’s music feels almost revolutionary. His latest melodies have enough flexibility to be covered by others—from the pop-ready “Hostage” to the gospel-graced “Fingers”—and the melodic fluidity helps make Maxwell the most accessible of the stars he was originally lumped in with, including the airy Erkyah Badu or the funk-hard D’Angelo. While Maxwell’s peers have evolved their lyrical point of view, Maxwell has stuck with his. He still sings of relationships in aspirational terms, casting them as stabs at transcendence. On “III,” he reveals a romantic role model: Michelle Obama, the first name-check of his career. And on “Of All Kind,” he idealizes marriage itself, an institution he has yet to join. To balance such dreamy visions, the music remains grounded. The blues in “Lost” could trademark its grime, while “1990” updates the arty sumptuousness of trip-hop to create one of the year’s sexiest jams. Even here, Maxwell refuses to give in to the cliché of the soul stud. The softer role he counters with doesn’t sound wimpy. Instead, it exudes enough confidence to let his heart show and to let his music grow in any direction his muse demands. Key Tracks:
“ Lake By The Ocean” Like Maxwell’s last hit, “Pretty Wings,” this gorgeous ballad buffs its soul core with a pop sheen. “ Gods” The graceful melody finds Maxwell upholding a tradition of song craft modern R&B often lacks.
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Jun 29, 2016 18:45:46 GMT -5
www.wsj.com/articles/new-album-same-title-maxwells-blacksummersnight-1467219518On July 1, the R&B singer Maxwell releases his first album in seven years, “blackSUMMERS’night.” His previous album, which came out in 2009 after an eight-year hiatus, was called “BLACKsummers’night.” The titles—identical except for the capital letters—might confuse fans and pose a marketing challenge. A third album, “blacksummers’NIGHT, is still to come. For Maxwell, at his career’s 20-year mark, the trilogy is a way to lay out a musical story and keep fans engaged. It also lets him explore different musical styles at a time when other acts of the ‘90s have already settled into nostalgia mode. Along with peers such as D’Angelo and Erykah Badu, Maxwell defined the neo soul movement of the mid-1990s with live instrumentation and earthy artistry evocative of the ’60s and ’70s. Albums such as his 1996 debut, “Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite,” served as a sexy counterpoint to the bohemian strain of hip-hop that produced albums such as the Fugees’ “The Score,” released earlier that year. Now in their 40s, the stars of neo soul have evolved differently. Erykah Badu injects funky mysticism into her music and experiments with young collaborators, as she did on “But You Caint Use My Phone,” a free mixtape released last year. D’Angelo went 14 years between albums, re-emerging in 2014 with the Grammy-winning “Black Messiah.” Despite its long gestation, the album captured the restive period that also spawned the Black Lives Matter movement. Maxwell styled himself as a restless, soul-searching romantic. His trilogy is loosely based on the concept of a night out for a woman named Black Summers, he says. The first installment, steeped in horns, keyboards and kickdrums, followed the push and pull of a relationship. The second album is largely upbeat and influenced by electronic music. At the same time, his voice assumes a rougher edge, departing from his clean falsetto. A former waiter from Brooklyn, Maxwell has been with the same label since 1994, when he signed with Columbia Records. He has built a career—and survived the collapse of the old music industry—with the same manager, the same two co-writers and co-producers, and many of the same musicians. For the never-married 43-year-old, who often sings about the search for compatibility, the music world has provided surprisingly stable relationships. The loyalty of his fans, especially women, has helped all four of his studio albums go platinum, despite the muted response to many releases these days. “No one really cares about music anymore,” he says. The final album in the trilogy has “a political slant” and is almost done, Maxwell says. It also is the last album he owes Columbia Records on his contract. The singer says he is considering renegotiating the deal.
Maxwell was raised in Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood and was influenced by Sam Cooke, Chaka Khan and others. (A representative for the performer declined to confirm Maxwell’s original full name.) His mother is Haitian and his father, who died when Maxwell was a boy, was Puerto Rican. His Caribbean and Latin ancestry made him feel like something of an outsider in the world of black R&B and soul, where many acts were rooted in the Southern gospel tradition and marketed as such. “It’s something that I never discussed before,” Maxwell says. “But now, being 43, I’m old enough to admit the insecurities that I had.” In an attempt to make music that is timeless, he avoids trendy production techniques or guest vocalists who might make a song sound dated a few years after its release. Describing his litmus test for new songs, Maxwell says, “When I’m 50 will I be able to belt this record out? Or would I sound like a fool singing it?”
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Jun 29, 2016 20:52:11 GMT -5
OK. Just skipped through the first part of Fingers Crossed. I found what I was looking for. Now, I can't wait to hear the rest in full, plus what we haven't heard any of yet.
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Post by Heart Shaped Box on Jun 30, 2016 10:36:55 GMT -5
I'm just not setting my expectations high. Nothing I'm hearing comes close to the quality of what Ro James and Gallant offered with their albums. Hopefully Maxwell is holding out on us.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 30, 2016 10:40:10 GMT -5
I'm listening now. It is not a repeat of the Black album which I'm glad it isn't.
"Of All Kind" is just ugh and more. Love that one.
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#LisaRinna
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Post by #LisaRinna on Jun 30, 2016 10:43:16 GMT -5
This needs to be the new single. Love everything I've heard so far!
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 30, 2016 10:50:47 GMT -5
I honestly don't get "Summer" with this album but it is an excellent one though. As I previously said, it is not a repeat of the black album and the highlights are great here. He is wrong for "Night" though. It sounds so good and it is nothing at the same time. This one will sit with me for a while.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Jun 30, 2016 11:01:00 GMT -5
I know he has had some vocal struggles as of late but, for those who have heard the whole album, does he sound as cracked out as he does on All The Ways Love Can Feel on the songs that he hasn't released?
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 30, 2016 12:01:43 GMT -5
I know he has had some vocal struggles as of late but, for those who have heard the whole album, does he sound as cracked out as he does on All The Ways Love Can Feel on the songs that he hasn't released? Vocally, he isn't at his best but I love his tone so I don't mind. He got his struggles, but most legends are that way. Can't expect perfection for that long.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Jun 30, 2016 12:56:04 GMT -5
Smoking cigarettes (among other things...) is not exactly healthy for the voice. It bums me out when people who I respect first and foremost as vocalists can't get out of their own way. I'm still excited for the album though.
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Jun 30, 2016 13:23:09 GMT -5
Smoking cigarettes (among other things...) is not exactly healthy for the voice. It bums me out when people who I respect first and foremost as vocalists can't get out of their own way. I'm still excited for the album though. As long as he ain't sounding hoarse like Aretha or Dionne, I'm good. His voice was fine at the BET Awards.
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Dreams
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Post by Dreams on Jun 30, 2016 15:28:35 GMT -5
I love the album, as I expected, it's a very consistent listen throughout. Time will tell if I'll end up loving it as much as its predecessor (that one's of my all-time favorite albums), but I'll definitely be listening to it for a while. Favorites: "1990x" (my most favorite), "Lake By The Ocean," "Lost" and "Listen Hear." The latter two especially, that I listened to for the first time listening to the whole album, I could see growing into a big Maxwell favorites of mine. I love their vibe.
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Post by Active Aggressive on Jun 30, 2016 15:52:35 GMT -5
Looking forward to tomorrow!! Picking this up with the new Bat For Lashes. Great day for music and artistry!
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newpower
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Post by newpower on Jun 30, 2016 16:42:58 GMT -5
Looking forward to tomorrow!! Picking this up with the new Bat For Lashes. Great day for music and artistry! Indeed, those two, together with Blood Orange will make for a nice relaxed long weekend.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2016 20:09:17 GMT -5
Having now heard it in full, this definitely edges out Embyra for my least favorite album of his, and I understand why they went with "Lake By The Ocean" as the lead now. That said, it being my least favorite album by him really speaks more to the quality of his overall discography than the quality of this album alone. Definitely one of my favorites of the year.
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Jul 1, 2016 7:44:28 GMT -5
Ordered through Amazon, and streaming on Spotify. Definitely not as commercial or radio friendly as Black. Love the soulful sound and wondering what the singles will be. "Of All Kind" was the track I was most anxious to hear, and I love it. Hoping it's next up.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jul 1, 2016 7:50:46 GMT -5
I'm getting this at Target today.
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Post by Active Aggressive on Jul 1, 2016 9:18:48 GMT -5
I'm getting this at Target today. Best Buy is slightly cheaper. There's no special Target edition of this, correct? We have a half day at work and I am headed to Boston but I am going to sneak out in an hour or so to get it before my bus.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jul 1, 2016 9:42:36 GMT -5
I'm getting this at Target today. Best Buy is slightly cheaper. There's no special Target edition of this, correct? We have a half day at work and I am headed to Boston but I am going to sneak out in an hour or so to get it before my bus. Well Best Buy I go, I just love Target so I go there for everything. I just hope my Best Buy sells it because the CD department has been bare for some time now.Ugh
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2016 9:42:40 GMT -5
Ordered through Amazon, and streaming on Spotify. Definitely not as commercial or radio friendly as Black. Love the soulful sound and wondering what the singles will be. "Of All Kind" was the track I was most anxious to hear, and I love it. Hoping it's next up. "Of All Kind" and "Gods" both strike me as potential singles.
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Post by kidrockthemic on Jul 1, 2016 13:15:11 GMT -5
Huge Maxwell fan, but my first two listens left me less than thrilled. Maybe it will grow on me, but overall definitely not feeling this album.
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SHOOTER
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Post by SHOOTER on Jul 1, 2016 13:35:50 GMT -5
Definitely not loving this on first listen but I will give it a chance to grow on me; it doesn't sound as self-indulgent as Embrya, which helps. He definitely needs to put the smokes down, however, because that dry ass rasp isn't going to age well.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2016 10:00:48 GMT -5
All Music Guide gave the album 4.5/5.
EW gave it an A-.
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SHOOTER
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Post by SHOOTER on Jul 2, 2016 13:18:20 GMT -5
First estimates have him debuting with 50-60k (55k-65k SPS).
Urban Hang Suite peaked at #37 (1.8m to date).
Unplugged peaked at #53 (803k to date).
Embrya debuted at #3 with 149k (1.2m to date).
Now debuted at #1 with 296k (1.7m to date).
BLACKsummers'night debuted at #1 with 316k (1.213m to date).
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