They say that the first impression is everything. D’Angelo and Maxwell, two of R&B prominent artists, definitely left a lasting impression on the music world when they released their debuts, Brown Sugar and Urban Hang Suit, respectively.
Brown Sugar found it’s way to R&B listeners first in 1995. R&B, Jazz, Gospel, and Blues were infused into 10 tracks. Oh, did I mention well written lyrics with metaphors? D’Angelo cleverly used his falsetto voice to disguise marijuana as a beautiful brown skinned woman in “Brown Sugar.”
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“Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine” one of my favorite R&B jams, provided one of the most seductive lines in R&B history.
“But if I had the chance, I’d treat her like a queen just like I do in all my dreams.”
Brown Sugar was promoted by the aforementioned tracks as well as the Smokey Robinson’s remake “Crusin’,” and “Lady,” one of my other favorite R&B jams of the ’90s.
The Virginia native was a skilled multi-instrumentalist –which includes keyboards, drums, guitar, bass, and saxophone — earned him comparisons to Prince. He also earned comparisons to Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Isley Brothers, Stevie Wonder, and Sly and The Family Stone.
Brown Sugar would act as the Moses to the R&B sub genre, Neo Soul. It debuted at number six on the US Billboard’s Top R&B Albums and earned four Grammy Award nominations.
Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite came a year later. It would be the Christ for Neo Soul, which it was accredited to help shaping the sub genre and giving it more credibility. Like Brown Sugar, the 11-track (the last track consisted of “The Suite Theme” and instrumental version of “…Til the Cops Come Knockin'”) was blended with several influences such as Soul, R&B, and Funk.
Maxwell’s seductive falsetto in “…Til the Cops Come Knockin’,” the album’s first single, put you in the mind of Prince and Marvin Gaye with the sexual aggressiveness.
“Gonna take you in the room suga’, lock you up and love for days. We gonna be rockin’ baby, till the cops come knockin. Poppa gonna have to leave a message on the telephone baby, there won’t be no stoppin me, till the cops come knockin,” Maxwell sings.
Although the song was great for a quiet storm type of night, it was the upbeat-funky “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)” that earned the album more attention. “Sumthin’ Sumthin’,” and “Suitelady (The Proposal Jam),” the album’s 3rd and 4th single, maintained your attention.
Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite debut at number 38 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hip Albums.
When these two brothers first came onto the scene, it was something unique about both. D’Angelo was one of the first R&B singers with a Hip Hop swagger, whereas Maxwell wasn’t an “image-first” type of guy though he fit the protocol. He didn’t even have his face featured on the cover art.
Reportedly, Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite was shelved for nearly a year mainly due to Columbia record executives’ doubts that the album’s had commercial potential. Ironically, it seeing the light of day would be accredited to Brown Sugar.
“Maxwell told me Brown Sugar‘s success got his Urban Hang Suite off of Columbia’s shelf,” writer Nelson George penned in an essay for Brown Sugar’s deluxe edition.
In other words, it wouldn’t be a Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite without Brown Sugar. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the latter is better.
Which album was better; D’Angelo’s ‘Brown Sugar’ or Maxwell’s ‘Urban Hang Suite’?
Polls Are Closed!!
D’Angelo – Brown Sugar – 75%
Maxwell – Urban Hang Suite – 25%