BLACKsummers'night
BLACKsummers'night | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 7, 2009 | |||
Recorded | 2003–2009 | |||
Studio | Chung King, Bowery Digital, Platinum Sound Recording (New York City, New York) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 37:21 | |||
Label | Columbia CK 89142 | |||
Producer | MUSZE (Maxwell), Hod David | |||
Maxwell chronology | ||||
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Singles from BLACKsummers'night | ||||
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BLACKsummers'night is the fourth
The album debuted at number one on the US
The sequel blackSUMMERS'night was released on July 1, 2016.[2]
Background
Recording sessions for the album took place during 2007 to 2009 at Chung King Studios, Bowery Digital, and Platinum Sound Recording Studios in New York City.[3] The album was produced entirely by Maxwell and musician Hod David.[3] BLACKsummers'night is Maxwell's first album since his hiatus after his third album, Now (2001), and serves as the first part of his scheduled trilogy of albums.[4]
The music of BLACKsummers'night is rooted in general soul music, and it features a more straightforward musical structure than Maxwell's previous work such as Embrya (1998).[5] Maxwell's lyrics concern his falling in and out of love during his sabbatical period prior to the album's release.[6] In an interview with Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul, Maxwell stated "The inspiration was real life itself. You know, while I was taking time away from the industry, I came across a relationship that took me by surprise."[7]
Release and promotion
The album was released on July 7, 2009, in multiple formats: digital, physical CD only, physical CD/DVD (Deluxe Version), and vinyl. The deluxe version includes video, entitled "5DAYSofBLACK", which discusses the development of songs and also includes the music video for "Pretty Wings".
The album produced four singles. Its lead single "Pretty Wings" debuted at number one on the US
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 7.5/10[13] |
Metacritic | 85/100[14] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [15] |
Chicago Tribune | [6] |
Entertainment Weekly | B[16] |
Los Angeles Times | [17] |
Mojo | [18] |
The Observer | [19] |
Pitchfork | 7.8/10[20] |
Rolling Stone | [21] |
Spin | 8/10[22] |
USA Today | [23] |
BLACKsummers'night received widespread acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 85, based on 15 reviews.[14] In the Chicago Tribune, Greg Kot said it "evokes the complex late ‘70s albums of Marvin Gaye", as "Maxwell explores his vulnerabilities and idiosyncrasies, while toughening up his sound."[6] Rolling Stone writer Jody Rosen called it "an R&B album about love, not just sex, for grown-ups who know the difference".[21] The Village Voice's Clover Hope observed more concise and "existentialist" songwriting than on his previous work. "The constant with Maxwell is that he tackles the topic of love with a philosopher's eye", Hope wrote. "It's easy to fancy the mood of his music over its poeticism, but with BLACK, he strikes a pleasant balance that's neither boring nor overwhelming."[24] Pitchfork critic David Drake found Maxwell "structurally ambitious" and avant-garde in his approach to musical structure, while writing that the record's best songs balance "compositional excellence, development, and tension, with carefully designed moods that reflect or complement each work's lyrical focus".[20] Los Angeles Times writer Ann Powers found its songs' structure complementary to the album's themes, stating "the music replicates the experience of an intimate connection, its ebbs and surges, its sometimes frustrating turns".[17] Jon Pareles of The New York Times later named it 2009's best album and found it radical in terms of contemporary R&B because of its supplicant and "elliptical" lyrics, hand-played instrumentation, fluid melodies, and "even when the rhythm gets funky, the sad, lovely songs — about a crumbling romance — are suffused with a yearning that's almost too intimate. It's soul music reinventing itself, moment to moment.[25]
BLACKsummers'night was one of 2009's most critically acclaimed music releases, being ranked near or at the top of several critics' year-end lists of best albums.
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number one on the US
In Canada, the album debuted at number 25 on the
Track listing
All tracks are written by MUSZE (Maxwell) and Hod David
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Badhabits" | 5:52 |
2. | "Cold" | 4:02 |
3. | "Prettywings" | 5:10 |
4. | "Helpsomebody" | 4:01 |
5. | "Stoptheworld" | 3:56 |
6. | "Loveyou" | 3:35 |
7. | "Fistfuloftears" | 3:39 |
8. | "Playingpossum" | 4:22 |
9. | "Phoenixrise" | 2:41 |
Personnel
Credits for BLACKsummers'night adapted from AllMusic.[58]
- Benedetto Nino Caccauale – engineer
- Dave Clauss – assistant
- Tom Coyne – mastering
- Chris Dave – drums
- Chris "Daddy" Dave – drums
- Hod David – audio production, engineer, guitar, instrumentation, producer, various instruments
- Nicola Formichetti – stylist
- Jesse Gladstone – assistant, engineer
- Keyon Harrold – trumpet
- Derrick Hodge – bass, bass instrument
- Eric L. Johnson – photography
- Nicolas Klam – stylist
- Mike Makowski – assistant
- Glen Marchese – engineer, mixing
- Maxwell – primary artist
- Shedrick Mitchell – organ
- Musze – audio production, engineer, instrumentation, producer, various instruments
- Anthony Palazzole – assistant
- Mike Pela – engineer, mixing
- Federico Pena – keyboards
- Saunders Sermons – trombone
- Curtis Smith – hair stylist
- Kenneth Whalum III – saxophone
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[70] | Platinum | 1,213,000[57] |
References
- ^ Billboard – Jan 6, 2007 – Page 32 Vol. 119, No. 1 Maxwell, "Black Summer's Night" (Columbia) "
- ^ "Maxwell Announces "blackSUMMERS'night" Album Release Date + Summer Tour". April 8, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ a b Per liner notes from BLACKsummers'night album
- ^ Capobianco, Ken. Review: BLACKsummers'night. The Boston Globe. Retrieved on July 19, 2009.
- About.com. Retrieved on September 13, 2009.
- ^ a b c Kot, Greg (July 7, 2009). "Maxwell explores life's vulnerabilities". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- ^ Lewis, Pete. Why So Sad Maxwell. Blues & Soul. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Week of September 05, 2009. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Chart History – Maxwell: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ a b c Chart History – Maxwell: Hot 100. Billboard. Retrieved on 2010-05-02.
- ^ a b c Chart History – Maxwell: Radio Songs. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Chart History – Maxwell: Dance/Club Play Songs. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ "Blacksummer's Night by Maxwell reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ a b "Reviews for BLACKsummers'night by Maxwell". Metacritic. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "BLACKsummers'night – Maxwell". AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
- ^ a b Greenblatt, Leah (July 1, 2009). "BLACKsummers'night". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
- ^ a b Powers, Ann (July 7, 2009). "Album review: Maxwell's 'BLACKsummers' Night'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
- ^ "Maxwell: BLACKsummers'night". Mojo (191): 93. September 2009.
- ^ a b Mardles, Paul (June 14, 2009). "Urban review: Maxwell, Blacksummer's Night". The Observer. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
- ^ a b Drake, David (July 10, 2009). "Maxwell: BLACKsummers'night". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
- ^ a b Rosen, Jody (August 5, 2009). "Maxwell: Blacksummers'night". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 26, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
- ^ Wood, Mikael (August 2009). "Maxwell: BLACKsummers'night". Spin. 25 (8): 90. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- ^ Gardner, Elysa (July 10, 2009). "Listen Up: Maxwell re-emerges with maximum effect". USA Today. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
- ^ Hope, Clover. Review: BLACKsummers'night. The Village Voice. Retrieved on July 19, 2009.
- ^ Pareles, Jon. 2009 in Pop – Reggae and Rock Operas, Intimacies and Anthems. The New York Times. Retrieved on May 3, 2010.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (October 2009). "Consumer Guide". MSN Music. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
- ^ Stewart, Allison. Review: BLACKsummers'night. The Washington Post. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ DeRogatis, Jim. Review: BLACKsummers'night Archived July 11, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved on May 3, 2010.
- ^ Best Albums of 2009. Metacritic. Retrieved on May 3, 2010.
- ^ Staff. New York Pazz and Jop Albums. The Village Voice. Retrieved on May 3, 2010.
- ^ Moody, Nekesa Mumbi. The AP Ranks Top 10 Albums of the Year Archived December 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Associated Press. Retrieved on December 27, 2009.
- ^ Staff. Billboard Critics' Top 10 Albums of 2009. Billboard. Retrieved on May 3, 2010.
- ^ Rodman, Sarah. Sarah Rodman's Top Albums of 2009. The Boston Globe. Retrieved on May 3, 2010.
- ^ Richards, Chris. The Best and Worst of 2009. The Washington Post. Retrieved on December 27, 2009.
- ^ Bhansali, Akshay. Maxwell Calls Grammy Wins A 'Blessing'. MTV. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Claire, Colette (April 5, 2010). "Option Craziness: An Interview with Greg Puciato of The Dillinger Escape Plan". Mxdwn.com. Southern California. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- ^ "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 22, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- ^ Sisario, Ben. ‘Blacksummers’night’ Takes Maxwell to No. 1. The New York Times. Retrieved on September 13, 2009.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith. Maxwell Tops Billboard 200. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Week of July 25, 2009. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Digital Albums – Week of July 25, 2009. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith. Daughtry Returns, Debuts At No. 1 On Billboard 200. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Herrera, Monica. Demi Lovato Debuts At No. 1 On Billboard 200, But Michael Jackson Still Reigns. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Herrera, Monica. Fabolous Tops Billboard 200; Jackson's 'Ones' Now 2009's Second-Best Seller. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Herrera, Monica. Maxwell Adds New Dates To 'BLACKsummers'night' Tour. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Herrera, Monica. Sugarland No. 1 On Billboard 200; Jackson Still Week's Top-Seller. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Herrera, Monica. George Strait Dethrones Michael Jackson, Tops Billboard 200. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Chart History – Maxwell: Billboard 200. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Chart History – Maxwell: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Canadian Albums – Week of July 25, 2009. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Chart History – Maxwell: Canadian Albums. Billboard. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ Album Performance: BLACKsummers'night. acharts. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
- ^ a b Gold & Platinum – Searchable Database: Artist: Maxwell. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved on March 21, 2010.
- ^ Columnist. Maxwell Goes Platinum With Blacksummers'night. Vibe. Retrieved on March 21, 2010.
- ^ Moody, Nekesa Mumbi. Success is getting in the way of new Maxwell album. Associated Press. Archived from the original[permanent dead link] on July 11, 2010.
- ^ a b "Upcoming Releases: Hits Daily Double". Hits Daily Double. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016.
- ^ "BLACKsummers'night – Maxwell | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- ^ "Maxwell Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Maxwell – BLACKsummers'night" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Maxwell – BLACKsummers'night". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Maxwell Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Maxwell Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "American album certifications – Maxwell – BLACKsummers'night". Recording Industry Association of America.