Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite

1	The Urban Theme 2:42
2	Welcome 5:17
3	Sumthin' Sumthin' 4:17
4	Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder) 5:46
5	Dancewitme 6:15
6	'Til the Cops Come Knockin' 6:56
7	Whenever, Wherever, Whatever 3:45
8	Lonely's the Only Company, Pt. 1 & 2 6:21
9	Reunion 4:53
10	Suitelady (The Proposal Jam) 4:48
11	The Suite Theme 13:47

Barnes & Noble

The term "boudoir soul" had taken on negative connotations for many until Maxwell came along in 1996. Blending the sumptuous musical tradition of Barry White with elements of mid-'70s Marvin and mid-'80s Sade, the Brooklyn native created a distinctly artful suite about a night of magnificent seduction. Wah-wah pedals and Fender Rhodes piano accent a recording that is heavy on mood and on musical content, a rarity in contemporary R&B. But mostly Maxwell separates himself from the dime-a-dozen rakes with his belief in romance: To this love-rocker, sex is not a conquest but a mutual submission to a greater erotic prerogative. And so, rather than using songs like "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" and "Welcome" to boast about touching you there, Maxwell asks -- very, very sweetly. Martin Johnson

All Music Guide

Maxwell's debut offers up a sophisticated and stylized take on late-'60s and early-'70 soul. Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and the like are subtly referenced over the course of these 11 tracks of wide-screen soul. Mixing sensual funk with ballad sincerity, Maxwell coolly sings through highlights like "Welcome," ."..Til the Cops Come Knockin'," and "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)." The atmospheric, cool-breeze soundscape comes courtesy of Maxwell and Sade cohort Stuart Mathewman. More expansive and airy sounding than the deep groove and gospel sides by fellow retro-soulster D'Angelo, Urban Hang Suite is destined to become a classic contemporary R&B disc. Stephen Cook