Maxwell - Maxwell´s Urban Hang Suite (1996)

"Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite" is the debut album of American recording artist Maxwell, released April 2, 1996 on Columbia Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 1994 to 1995 at Electric Lady Studios, RPM, Sorcerer, and Chung King Studios in New York City and CRC Studios in Chicago. The album contains a mellow, groove-based sound and incorporates elements of funk, jazz, smooth soul, and quiet storm. A concept album, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite is composed of a song cycle that focuses on an adult romance, which Maxwell based on his own personal experience.

After being shelved for nearly a year, due to label issues and record executives' doubts of its sales potential, the album was released to considerable commercial and critical success. Despite an initial lack of mainstream interest, "Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite" experienced a boost in sales with the help of the single "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised it as a departure from the mainstream-oriented R&B of the time, and it earned Maxwell several accolades and comparisons to soul singer Marvin Gaye.

"Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite" has been recognized by music writers for providing commercial visibility to neo soul.

Track listing

01.  The Urban Theme   (MUSZE)  - 2:42

02.  Welcome   (MUSZE, Stuart Matthewman, Stuart Matthewman)  - 5:18

03.  Sumthin' Sumthin'   (MUSZE, Leon Ware)  - 4:18

04.  Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)   (MUSZE, Itaal Shur)  - 5:46

05.  Dancewitme   (MUSZE, Hod David)  - 6:15

06.  ...Til the Cops Come Knockin'   (MUSZE, David)  - 6:56

07.  Whenever Wherever Whatever   (MUSZE, Stuart Matthewman)  - 3:45

08.  Lonely's the Only Company (I & II)   (MUSZE, Stuart Matthewman)  - 6:22

09.  Reunion   (MUSZE)  - 4:53

10.  Suitelady (The Proposal Jam)  (MUSZE, Hod David)  - 4:48

11.  The Suite Theme (ends at 6:00; hidden track at 12:06) (MUSZE)  - 13:47

Released:  April 2, 1996

Recorded at:  Electric Lady Studios, RPM, Sorcerer, Chung King Studios, New York, New York

Genre:  R&B, Neo Soul, Funk

Length:  64:47

Label:  Columbia

Producer:  MUSZE (Maxwell), P.M., Stuart Matthewman

Credits

Maxwell - Vocals 

Gary Foote, Jonathan Maron, Mike Neal, Stuart Matthewman - Bass

Erik Friedlander, Rufus Cappadocia - Cello

David Gamson, Itaal, Musze, P.M., Stuart Matthewman - Drums

Gene Lake - Drums, Percussion  

Vincent Chauncey - French Horn 

H, Wah Wah Watson, Musze, Stuart Matthewman - Guitar

Amp Fiddler, David Gamson, Federico Pena, Itaal, Musze, Stuart Matthewman - Keyboards

Bashiri Johnson, Gregory Marsh, Karl Vanden Bossche - Percussion

Stuart Matthewman - Saxophone

Clark Gayton - Trombone

Kevin Batchelor - Trumpet