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BLACKsummers'night
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BLACKsummers'night Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 44 Ratings

  • Summary: The first album for the singer since 2001's "Now" is part of a planned trilogy (the next two albums to be named BlackSUMMERS'night and Blacksummers'NIGHT).

Top Track

Pretty Wings
Time will bring the real end of our trial One day they'll be no remnants No trace, no residual feelings within ya One day you won't remember me Your... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Los Angeles Times
    100
    For those who like their pop delicate and unapologetically deep, this is one for turning up loud and wallowing.
  2. Sputnikmusic
    90
    The first album in a series of three (all with the same title, differing only in capitalizations) BLACKsummers'night isn't just the soul album of the year, but also a top-tier addition to the canon of a once-fizzling scene.
  3. AllMusic
    90
    For all its dimensions and progress, the album is simultaneously designed to ensure that devoted fans will feel the wait was worth it.
  4. Mojo
    80
    It represents the singer's best work since the aforesaid "Urban Hang Suite." [Sep 2009, p.93]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    BLACKsummers'night is however, an impressive return to form. This is undeniably enthralling music: masterful, captivating and marvelous.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    His sentiments rarely transcend the boudoir--and listeners lulled by the album's unvaryingly sleek, high-gloss beats may just drift off to dreamland before they get there.
  7. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Maxwell's voice is so unusually rich and supple that at best, as on the mercurial 'Bad Habits,' you cannot help but disregard his fondness for cliche.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. NikaW.
    Jul 7, 2009
    10
    When all the artists of today all sound a like and are totally 'cookie cutter' with catchy beats and no substance. I am thrilled When all the artists of today all sound a like and are totally 'cookie cutter' with catchy beats and no substance. I am thrilled that Maxwell is back. The album is right on time!… Expand
  2. dijavantewow
    Oct 16, 2010
    10
    Fantastic neo-soul album. Maxwell has a been away for way too long, and I'm glad he came back with something so powerful. When someone canFantastic neo-soul album. Maxwell has a been away for way too long, and I'm glad he came back with something so powerful. When someone can actually make an album that you can connect with, rather than just a bunch of junk available for sale, then I remember why I love music so much.… Expand
  4. De'Leacia
    Jul 8, 2009
    10
    I am truley glad I got out of bed & went to walmart to get this long awaited release. 1 word is all I can think of......beautiful.
  5. allheavens
    Aug 8, 2009
    10
    The devil is in the details and this album is ALL about the details. A mature, concise, emotionally delicate and beautifully crafted album The devil is in the details and this album is ALL about the details. A mature, concise, emotionally delicate and beautifully crafted album sung with remarkable grace. Does anyone else think that "Cold" is a virtual master class in musical composition? Kudos to the band, all I can say about you is DAMN, blistering brass section and wicked percussions.… Expand
  6. TarekM.
    Sep 4, 2009
    10
    Brilliant, wonderful and delightly entertaining.
  7. MycroftW
    Aug 2, 2009
    9
    His best one yet, so his long hiatus is forgiven. And allthough he still wears his influences (Al Green, Prince) on his sleave, I guess the His best one yet, so his long hiatus is forgiven. And allthough he still wears his influences (Al Green, Prince) on his sleave, I guess the best way to describe this record is as the R n B equivalent of Jeff Buckley's Grace.… Collapse
  8. ANNELAU
    Jul 6, 2012
    0
    In my head I knew Maxwell, but this was until I heard the entire BLACK album. Anytime I ear a song of him i get something new that he try toIn my head I knew Maxwell, but this was until I heard the entire BLACK album. Anytime I ear a song of him i get something new that he try to teach me...

    This album is generous. 9 track, yes but that never will want you to miss those 22 records tracks. It is generous in terms of emotion, lyrical content, musicality and humanity. Maxwell shares it all.
    He crosses barriers and shows everyone the most vulnerable side of him. This is a more blues man Maxwell here that tells how broken he is by his previous relationships..
    During his early 20's in the 90's, he definitely was this sex symbol, now he still is but with this added fact that he his a grown man, and we can sense that.
    Every song whether you like them or not, will move you, but still you will like them but you're untitled to your opinion when it comes to which one is you favorite.
    I would say that Black is far from Urban's Hang Suite in so many levels but pretty much link to the 1st album of the soul singer. The sound is different, bold and completed with the generosity add by the sound delivered by his 10 piece band. We can hear wild blues-funk (Cold) slow jams (Stop the world) as far as ballads like the 1st single 'Pretty wings'.
    But it's quite evolved, the arrengements sounds very contemporary (Pheonix Rise) and the way the vintage feeling that occured doesn't seems fake or besides the point. It does shows a deep statement : NOWADAYS SOUL STILL EXISTS.
    The Grammy award winner let us understand that it was better for him to step away for a moment so that he could 'live life to create after' and bring us some raw material and it was WORTH waiting for so long. And still, if you don't know who Maxwell is, I would say that it is never too late. His discography justify what a lover of music he is and how his music doesn't respond to all the dictated codes of the industry and the shift that soul/rnb music is taking.

    ENJOY this album and keep you ears wide open and feel every sound of it.    … Expand

See all 23 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Album of 2009
57
#57 Most Discussed Album of 2009
59
#59 Most Shared Album of 2009