Customer Reviews

Mtv Unplugged

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Maxwell is saving R&B right now./ He brings depth to an otherwise shallow and lusty mindless pop tunes.

Maxwell is saving R&B right now./ He brings depth to an otherwise shallow and lusty mindless pop tunes.

Maxwell is saving R&B right now./ He brings depth to an otherwise shallow and lusty mindless pop tunes.

Maxwell is only one of a handful of singers who actually sound increadible when they sing live. Maxwell has an incredible voice and it is showcased beautifully on this MTV live album. Here he covers some songs from his first album such as "Ascension," and "Whenever, Wherever, Whaterver," as well as new songs such as "Mello: Sumthin'," and "Gotta Get: Closer." He also masterfully covers Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work." This song can be heard in the movie "Love and Basketball." The only disappointed with the album is the length. There are only seven tracks, but each one is great.

The cd is marvellous. The only thing I wonder is why the producers did not include instrumental jams, with the vocals mixed out..??? Nevertheless, the cd is a nice addition to the first (and, probably, the best) artist's album - Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite. Though, the running time of the cd is only 35 minutes, do not be coufused or misled: you will listen to it for hours without getting bored. To me, MTV Unplugged is one of the best live neo-soul albums. (The only live album that is as good as this is Erykah Badu's Baduizm Live, 1997). Some songs are much more better than the original studio versions(such as "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" and "The Lady Suite"). By the way, the gorgeous "Ascention (Dont Ever Wonder)" is co-produced by the legendary hip-hop dj Ali Shaheed Mohammed (of Tribe Called Quest).
Buy it! Enjoy it! It is a must-have for all Maxwell fans and neo-soul addicts.

It's a bold, and often potentially misguided, step to release a live disc with only one album in your catalogue, but Maxwell pulls it off with his "Unplugged" set. Stripped of all the cliches associated with live discs, "Unplugged" is soulful, down-to-earth, and undeniably funky. This 7 track CD features a handful of album tracks and a Kate Bush cover, leading right up to the rousing finale ("Gotta Get: Closer") which segues into an uplifting gospel number that effectively works the crowd. His live recording of "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" is the crowning moment, as his molasses-smooth voice soars during this winning love jam. If I have a flaw to pick with "Unplugged," it has to be its brevity. At 34 minutes, it doesn't offer a dish filling enough to completely satisfy, and just as you're ready to sink your teeth into Maxwell's groove, the disc is over. But for what the EP is, it succeeds in its goal and is just an essential record as any of his studio albums.

This young soulful man brings back the true spirit of love, soul, spirituality, and what kinds of passions are inspired by life, love and its lessons. I recommend everything that this man has come out withthus far. He has a flare that no other of this day so far as touched. There are artists out there now, that beginning to feel the SOUL from within. And think that Maxwell has paved a way for those so that they wont have to be afraid of being unique and yet learn from the pioneers of soul.

This CD has great re-workings of Maxwell's previous hits, I love it because I can listen to this CD and not have to do any song-skipping. A must have if you are a fan.

Riding the wave of young turks delving into old-school soul that 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 into some pretty unlikely places. Throughout this EP, the arrangements are lush, the horns caress every groove and Maxwell's creamy 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.

I bought this EP in 1997 when it was first released and I'm amazed by how long it took people to catch onto this masterpiece. Maxwell's vocals are inspiring, the arrangement of the music is astounding, the band is tight, and the crowd is feeling Max's mellow/cool. Standout tracks are "This Woman's Work", "The Suite Theme (THE HUSH)", "Suitelady" "Gotta Get:Closer" and My personal favorite of the set "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" which showcases Maxwell's inspiring vocal range. If you do not own this CD you should be shot! No seriously purchase it ASAP, you will not be dissappointed.