"BLACKsummers'night" released 6th July
Soul superstar returns with his first new studio album in 8 years

Soul pioneer Maxwell returns with his first album in 8 years BLACKsummers�night�. The artist who brought us classic songs like �Sumthin� Sumthin�,� �Ascension (Don�t Ever Wonder)� and �Lifetime� (not to mention an ethereal cover of Kate Bush�s �This Woman�s Work�) is back with a challenging, mature, sensual, and emotionally open new album, recorded with an extraordinary ten-piece band. You can watch the video for the first single �Pretty Wings� here: www.musze.com

�BLACKsummers�night� is Maxwell�s fourth studio album and the first installment of a trilogy entitled �BLACK SUMMERS�NIGHT�. BLACK is a much darker but soulful compilation, SUMMERS� leans more toward the Gospel side and NIGHT is more a cool collection of slow jams.

In 1996, the then 23-year old Brooklyn born phenomenon took the music world by storm with his debut, �Urban Hang Suite�. The critically acclaimed CD received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B; Album and went on to achieve double platinum status. Maxwell�s MTV: Unplugged (1997) achieved gold status. He was heralded as the future of soul music and proved his staying power when he followed up with 1998�s platinum seller �Embrya�. In 1999 Maxwell�s single, �Fortunate� (off of the LIFE soundtrack) became Billboard magazine�s number one hit of the year. Maxwell�s third album, �Now� (2001) debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; selling 300,000 copies its maiden week and eventually also reaching double platinum status. The album was appropriately described by Entertainment Weekly as �A velvetined gauntlet thrown at the feet of today�s bling-bling-obsessed R&B; pack.�

When Maxwell announced a US tour last year, his first in 7 years, all 144,000 tickets sold out in minutes. An overwhelming demand caused the original 26-date tour to be extended to 33 dates. For Maxwell the opportunity to get back on stage and receive such an enormous response, especially without an album to support, was revelatory and further inspired him to complete his oft delayed album.




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