Maxwell (singer/songwriter, producer, and Grammy nominated artist), is accredited for impacting the neo soul movement immensely in the mid-1990s. From his notable hair style to his fashionable clothes to his sensual falsetto, everything about Maxwell greatly impacted the way music lovers viewed future neo soul artists. Maxwell was born on May 23, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York to a Puerto Rican father, whom Maxwell lost at the tender age of three or four, and to a Caribbean mother, who raised him. Maxwell’s sound is heavily influenced by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Prince to name a few. In the mid-1990s, his sound was quite different and unique; best described as classic soul meets modern Rhythm and Blues.
Maxwell introduced the world to his sound in 1996 with his debut album, "Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite". The album had been shelved by Columbia Records in the early 1990s, the same year that Maxwell got his record deal with them. "Urban Hang Suite" debuted to moderate response, but began to gain notoriety with the release of a Maxwell’s second single, "Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)" which was an instant hit. Maxwell worked with songwriter Leon Ware (who worked with Marvin Gaye on his single, “I Want You”), noted guitarist Wah Wah Watson, along with Stuart Matthewman (famed producer, co-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Sade) and Hod David (Maxwell’s writing partner).

In 1997, Maxwell was featured as a MTV Unplugged artist. On MTV Unplugged: Maxwell, he recorded songs from "Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite" live, along with Nine Inch Nails hit, Closer and Kate Bush song, "This Woman’s Work". The album was produced by Alex Coletti. In 1998, Maxwell released his second album, "Embrya", which was a deeply spiritual album. "Embrya" had songs that reflected Maxwell’s search for self-understanding and self-enlightenment. Title tracks; "I’m You: You Are Me and We Are You", "Drowndeep: Hula", and "Submerge: Til we Become the Sun" reflect such views. "Embrya" serves to be a fan favorite especially with songs like "Matrimony: Maybe You", "Luxury: Cococure", and "Each hour each second each minute each day: Of My Life". Maxwell, Stuart Matthewman, and Darrell Smith served as producers for the album. Maxwell’s third album "NOW" which he produced was released in 2001 and debuted at the top of the Billboard charts. The album mostly was about the ups and downs people experience in life and learning from past mistakes. "NOW" has a wide variety of sounds from funk to soul to country, all sounds that blend well over the album’s R&B beats. On "NOW", Maxwell worked with long-time collaborators and friends, Hod David and Stuart Matthewman. From "Now", Maxwell released "Get to Know Ya", "Lifetime" and "This Woman’s Work" (remake of Kate Bush song).
In 1999, the hit single "Fortunate" was released and was featured on the soundtrack to the motion picture film "Life". The late 1990s film "Life", starred Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy. "Fortunate" written by R. Kelly, serves to be one of Maxwell’s biggest hits to date. Fortunate was awarded #1 Rhythm and Blues single of the year in 1999 by Billboard magazine. Also in the summer of 1999, Maxwell made a little girl’s wish to meet him come true. The little girl made her wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A few months after meeting Maxwell the little girl died of cancer. Thus, prompting Maxwell to remake "This Woman’s Work" as a tribute to her.
Over the span of Maxwell’s career, he has been nominated various awards. Consecutively from 1996 to 2001, with the exception of 2000, Maxwell was been nominated six for Grammy Awards. Maxwell has also been nominated for a BET Award, Soul Train Music Awards, a NAACP Image Award, a MTV Video Music Award, and a Blockbuster Entertainment Award. Maxwell has won several Soul Train Music Awards, along with the award for number one R&B single of 1999, Billboard.

Chantay M. Wesley [Just Soul]

1. The Urban Theme
2. Welcome
3. Sumthin’ Sumthin’
4. Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)
5. Dancewitme
6. ‘Til the Cops Come Knockin'
7. Whenever, Wherever, Whatever
8. Lonely's the Only Company, pt. I&II
9. Reunion
10. Suitelady (The Proposal Jam)
11. The Suite Theme

1. The Suite Urban Theme [the Hush]
2. Mello: Sumthin [the Hush]
3. The Lady Suite
4. This Woman's Work
5. Whenever, Wherever, Whatever
6. Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)
7. Gotta Get: Closer

1. Gestation: Mythos
2. Everwanting: To Want You to Want
3. I'm You: You Are Me and We Are You
4. Luxury: Cococure
5. Drowndeep: Hula
6. Matrimony: Maybe You
7. Arroz con Pollo
8. Know These Things: Shouldn't You
9. Submerge: Til We Become the Sun
10. Gravity: Pushing to Pull
11. Each hour each second each minute each day: Of My Life
12. Embrya

1. [Untitled Track]
2. Get to Know Ya
3. Lifetime
4. W/As My Girl
5. Changed
6. No one
7. For Lovers Only
8. Temporary Nite
9. Silently
10. Sympton Unknown
11. This Woman's Work
12. Now/At the Party