“Make me crazy / Don't speak no sounds / I want you to prove it to me in the nude...,” Maxwell begins with the sensual phrase in, "Bad Habits."
The second track on the short, but caliber album is “Cold,” which was inspired by a rainy night. Maxwell was in a car and the sound of the windshield wipers operating back and forth turned into a melody, thus manifesting into the song, “Cold” where Maxwell croons, “How can you be so cold?”
Behind the Music
Blacksummers'night was originally set to debut in 2007, however perfection stood in the way. Two years of fans listening, on repeat, to the one and half minute snippet of "Pretty Wings" on Maxwell's myspace proved to be worth it as Maxwell is enjoying the best overall sales week of his musical career, according to SoundScan. Jon Pareles of the New York Times dubbed Blacksummers'night as a “grittier, more grown-up” side of Maxwell.
In the 5 Days of Black (Commentary) video, available on the deluxe edition of Blacksummers'night, Maxwell describes the first record as the dark past and the second as the present moment; More uplifting compared to its counterpart. He describes the last album, due out in 2011, as an instrumental, emotive, and thought provoking finale to the trilogy. Maxwell states, in regards to the last installment, “It'll make you cry, hopefully.”
Pretty Wings
“People want something that they can feel again, really emotionally feel...I hope people like it,” Maxwell expresses in 5 Days of Black. He epitomizes the true origins of R&B/Soul with the first single and number one track on America's Urban Adult radio stations, “Pretty Wings.” People like it and they can really feel it.
Embodiment of Neo-Soul
“Help Somebody,” “Stop the World,” and “Love You” are all single worthy tracks expressing distinct emotions, calls of action, and passion. Maxwell writes in a no nonsense, fervent manner with lines like, “And even after years, I need you when you don't / I remain more stubborn then I ever was before.” Even after years, Blacksummers'night will be a part of neo-soul lovers' playlists, everywhere.
“Fistful of Tears” is perhaps the most cavernous of tracks on Blacksummers'Night. Maxwell chants, “I go insane / Crazy sometimes / Tryin you to keep you from losing your mind / Open your eyes / See what’s in front of your face / And save me my fistful of tears.” This heart clenching ballad is followed by an eerie tale of advantageous relationships in “Playing Possum.” The track is accompanied by Maxwell's signature falsetto.
In “Phoenix Rise,” the tempo is picked up for a brief, but superb two minute and forty-one second instrumental. Blacksummers'night is comprised of nothing short of a stellar ensemble of musicians, detailed production, and first-rate writing. Co-produced and co-written by guitarist, Hod David and Maxwell, himself, The ten track deluxe version of the Blacksummers'night ends with a shortened remix of “Pretty Wings.”
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