No less than 10 years ago exactly, a Bohemian look alike introverted guy hailing from NYC was to give to his art a flavour that we’d hardly found since Marvin Gaye’s passing, writing his name amongst those of D’Angelo, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott in the golden book of the said nu soul. The purity of his voice had no equal but say the one of a crystal wearing the signature of Lalique. Obviously not enuff, judging by the reactions of his record label (Columbia) which, for some reasons, has litterally neglected him since 2001 and the release of his 3rd studio album. Many of us would think that the story was to be definitely over til the arrival of that growing rumour of an imminent return. Souvenir of a meeting with the man which could be none other than magical…
1996. An unknown guy lands in Paris to do a mini show case at the Trabendo (sorry, the Blue Note at the time) as a support to the release of his debut-LP. An offering called Urban Hang Suite recorded with author/programmer Leon Ware the trace of which can be found on the Marvin Gaye’s I Want You album released in 1976, but also Sade’s partner Stuart Matthewman… From there, I would litteraly get under the spell of this placid young artist, who totally committed to his art, redifined it with an incredible accuracy alongside bassist Wah Wah Watson. Therefore, I eventually would have to wait til 2001 and the release of his third album Now before having the pleasure to have him answering my Q’s at some suite displaying a view of the Venitian influenced decoration of Hotel Costes’s patio. Maxwell’s repertoire counting 2 extra units at this date with the addiction of an Urban Hang Suite - Unplugged Version then a second studio LP under the form of the Latin inspired Embrya which wouldn’t score the same success though, despite reaching new heights to my opinion and in a comparable way to what had heavily contributed to make the reputation of a man – Jay Denes – and a label – Naked Music – the two men having their names associated on a one-off remix although they never met. I really appreciate his organic appraoch which has led him to elaborate such a subtle sound, with the rehabilitation of the necessary space as far as the expression of the emotion is concerned, he explained at the time. To me, it’s something which I would easily compare with crystal. In the mean time, I believe it responds both to a growing demand of the crowd but also to a will of numerous creators on their quest for fusion by the time we speak. It’s also probably the translation of the search of a balance which can’t be obtained without the reestablishment of the necessary contrasts. The right balance between the heart (the bass guitar) and the brain (the percussions), between physic and mental… In other words, between body and soul. As no doubt, this B’Klyn native of West Indian parents would conceive a music which’d remained true to who he really is. Both direct and simple, when not close to introvertion, as if this had been a therapy in regards to his natural shyness, not to say his inner demons…
I don’t really care about the labels, he pursued telling me that he’d just got once for a short trip to Body & Soul (too crowdy for him)… Once again, the main thing in art is the espace left to the imaginary, confirming a certain disposition for sobriety, abstract if not silence. Even though success hasn’t always been around as notoriously illustrated by the relative incomprehensible critics which have followed the release of Embrya in 1998. This maybe actually being one of the reasons why this awaited new chapter has been postponed so many times…
Releasing an album is far from being the key thing on its own, said to me this perfectionnist who was to make the cover page of Quincy Jones’s distinguished Vibe magazine in March 2001. First, you gotta feel well on your shoes while doing it. I mean : what’s the most important thing at the end of the day ? Respect a preestablished schema and accomplish a function or take the time to give the emotion its maximum course ; in other words, putting yourself in the position to be guided by nothing else but it til its final effusion?
Embrya hasn’t responded, not to my expectations, but those of the crowd who was probably still stucked to Urban Hang Suite at the time. Not to mention the fact that the latest was to be dubbed with an Unplugged Version. Quite a shame as it could probably have made much more noise, should has it been released by the time we met, due to the fact that a growing amount of people got customised to atmospheric flavas inbetween…
What I keep in mind is that what gets out of you is supposed to reach the attention of those who want to listen to it. In any case, I gotta do what I have to do, whatever the environment is. Today, I’m here in Paris doin’ what I want. Yesterday, I was in Amsterdam then tomorrow, I’ll be in Germany, prior to those 7 shows schedulded to happen in NYC soon after… So true, it’s sometimes hard for me to believe that I’m still around but I do not see how I would have to complain about it. To me, success is doing what you want. Success comes from the aptitude you have to get rid of your fears then transform then into positive energy, as notoriously illustrated by his vocal performances of a rare intensity such as his stunning cover version of the Kate Bush classic ‘This Woman’s Work’ (dedicated to the memory of a young girl who died of a cancer) whereas he touched the Graal. Success to me isn’t synonymous with heavy airplay, should it be on MTV or the main radio stations. Frankly speaking, I’m not stucked to this, knowing that if ever the crowd is to be with me, it will.
I thank God for giving me this new life, meanwhile telling me with a great smile that he’s already lived 7 of the likes. Each life is a new challenge which can’t be lived otherwise than passionately ! Since then, nothing but the absolute silence interrupted here and then by the usual cohort of rumours… A new album called Black Summers Night was said to see the light by the Spring 2004 at some time before being rescheduled to the following year. But once again nothing finally would happen, as if the Urban Hang Suite’s story (which got stucked on Sony’s shelves for a 2 years period before coming into the light) was to repeat itself. Nothing til that Mon, Jan.30 and this info published by the Los Angeles Times stating that the awaited new delivery (with a title TBA) is expected to hit the streets by Apr.4 2006. We keep our fingers crossed then, waiting for a new life to begin as far as our man is concerned. MFSB
INTERVIEW
