Artiste: Maxwell
Album: Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite
Spotlight Track: Sumthin’ Sumthin’
Label: Arista
This being my first Zao Gng contribution, it was quite difficult to decide what to pick. Should I go back for some NY Garage tunes or should I go forward with some current beats? In the end, I dug deep and hard into my little musical vault, otherwise knwn as iPod, to have a peep at what’s the album or single to guarantee some soulful musical returns. Well, I didn’t have to look that far as one of my personal favourites that is always on heavy rotation, on vinyl, and now this silly format called MP3, is non-other than Maxwell’s Urban Suite by Maxwell. If you’re one of those peeps that chucks on some Marvin Gaye or Sade whenever the lights go down…maybe don’t be so obvious and slip on this album. Of course, if you have the CD or MP3 version, results not as guaranteed as the LP…it’s all about the static at the end when the album ends and you’re in another dimension of jazz-seeking soul. In case you’re wondering, this album has been recorded with a new technology that makes humans get down with a lil sumthin sumthin.
One can hear the purplesness on “When the cops come knockin’ and the the great Gaye on pretty much the whole album as they were a large influence on Maxwell as a teen. The album was co-written with the legendary man from Detriot , non other than Mr Leon Ware, who also crafted Marvin Gaye’s “I want you” LP and Quincy Jones’ “Body Heat” LP as well. So quality songwriting To cut the story short, the album went double plat with a live EP with 7 tunes I think… definitely worth a check too! But the real juice is packed in this album.
Super slick production that would stand tall alongside the other great soul brothers. Once you try it, I’m sure you will agree. A lot more than the Gng will be Zaoing.
Tangkap This!!!
-Kiat aka DJ Kiat
