Track Listing

1. Suite Urban Theme (The Hush)
2. Mello: Sumthin (The Hush)
3. Lady Suite
4. This Womans Work
5. Whenever Wherever Whatever
6. Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)
7. Gotta Get Closer
8. Till The Cops Come Knockin'

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39243 in Music
• Released on: 1999-08-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Live

Amazon.co.uk Review
Marvin Gaye's heir apparent buys time with this seven-song, 34-minute EP. In 1996, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite showcased a rising star, and the sumptuous early '70s soul-moves here underline the potential. A bit of a tease, then, but just the ticket to spread the word about this remarkable newcomer. --Jeff Bateman

From Amazon.com
Marvin Gaye's heir apparent buys time with this seven-song, 34-minute EP. In 1996, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite showcased a rising star, and the sumptuous early '70s soul-moves here underline the potential. A bit of a tease, then, but just the ticket to spread the word about this remarkable newcomer. --Jeff Bateman

CD Description
Riding the wave of young turks delving into old-school soulthat includes D'Angelo, Eryka Badu and Adriana Evans, Maxwell's URBAN HANG SUITE heralded the arrival of a balladeer who combined Al Green's seductiveness with Prince's sensuality. MTV UNPLUGGED shows off the live side of this young free spirit whose musical roots reach through the Quiet Storm intosome pretty unlikely places. Throughout this EP, the arrangements are lush, the horns caress every groove and Maxwell'screamy falsetto ducks and feints through his own "Whenever Wherever Whatever" and "The Lady Suite". He also takes time to give props to Kate Bush with a crystalline reading of "This Woman's Work". Showing off a knack for the unorthodox, Maxwell closes out the festivities with a completely transformed cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" that moves from a jazz/funk workout to a gospel feel.

Customer Reviews

In one word? ::SPEECHLESS::
Maxwell's talent goes beyond that which can be described through anything but essence. His heart and soul pour into every note he utters and it is obvious through each song that the man has a lot of brains behind his music. His style, range and sheer blessed talent is something I can honestly say has me hooked into his music.

Despite the fact I have become very aware he isn't all that well known in the music world (- believe me I have LOOKED for his work. Mind you, it could just be boring Eastbourne), this album is more than a "worth it" purchase. Each one of his live recordings are just pure and simply astonishing. Not just one song- but the entire collection; short as it is, it is timeless.

Among my personal favourites is the funky tune 'Gotta Get: Closer' and the sensual 'Lady Suite'. The heart-warming 'Whenever, Wherever, Whatever' is soul at its purest and his amazing version of 'A Woman's Worth' is most definately a moment you wont forget. Very distinct of his style and ability and above all it trully is soulful.

This IS real Soul. Incredible, Maxwell =) Just plain incredible...

Short and sweet - best MTV unplugged session
Yes, there are only 8 tracks on this recording and the whole thing lasts only 34 minutes; and yes, Maxwell's debut Urban Hang Suite was a high standard to surpass - but with the release of this recording Maxwell has really surpassed himself (and countless others).

Although rarely mentioned among the greatest MTV unplugged recordings, this is absolutley the best of the whole bunch of them bar none.

Where do I start? Fantastic instrumentation that moves you in the right places, and gets you grooving in others. The band, including horns and strings, is just perfect. Backing vocals credibly recreate the mood of the "Urban Hang Suite" album, and Maxwell himself is on top form.

The re-work of Kate Bush's "This woman's work" is simply a stroke of genius, with Maxwell holding a flawless falsetto throughout. As for the live interpretation of "wherever, whenever, whatever", if the strings don't get your hairs tingling, the vocal performance certainly will.

This album is excellent and everyone should have it! 34 minutes worth making time for.

Maxwell is the man
Maxwell has taken soul to a whole new level, the indeed gut wrenching rendition of 'this womans work' is amazing (for want of a better word), 'whenever, wherever, whatever' is the love song to top all love songs and as for 'sumthin, sumthin? pure brilliance. Short as the album may be it is one of the greatest soul albums ever, buy it!!! like now!!!