10 Reasons Maxwell is the Savior of Soul Music

Maxwell soothes the soul!

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Maxwell - As a shy nerdy teen, Maxwell only had two girlfriends and was often teased by his classmates, who called him “Maxwell House Coffee” — not knowing his middle name would later become the ladies man’s calling card. (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Young Maxwell - With influences from early ‘80s R&B artists like Patrice Rushen and The SOS Band, among many others, the 17-year-old singer began to come into his ownwhile teaching himself to play the keyboard. (Photos from left:  Leon Bennett/Getty Images, Manny Carabel/Getty Images)

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Young Maxwell - With influences from early ‘80s R&B artists like Patrice Rushen and The SOS Band, among many others, the 17-year-old singer began to come into his ownwhile teaching himself to play the keyboard. (Photos from left:  Leon Bennett/Getty Images, Manny Carabel/Getty Images)

Maxwell, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite - Backed by behind-the-scenes greats like producer-singer Leon Ware, guitarist Wah-Wah Watson and Sade multi-instrumentalist-producer Stuart Matthewson, Maxwell's ridiculously debonair 1995 debut is neo-soul at its sexiest. (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Records) 

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Everyone checked into his Urban Hang Suite.  The award-wining debut album went platinum and not only earned the crooner a Grammy nod, but three Soul Train Music Awards and three NAACP Awards as well. (Photo: Columbia Records)

All About The Music - Maxwell refused to have his picture on the cover of his first album, demanding his music be the focus and not his image.  (Photo: Columbia Records)

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All About The Music - Maxwell refused to have his picture on the cover of his first album, demanding his music be the focus and not his image.  (Photo: Columbia Records)

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Art Dealer - A passionate artist, the vocalist believes women are his muse and “creativity is innately feminine.”(Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

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Work - Maxwell’s opening high note on his cover of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” — on his MTV Unplugged EP — can give you life. (Photo: MTV)

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Work - Maxwell’s opening high note on his cover of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” — on his MTV Unplugged EP — can give you life. (Photo: MTV)

New Soul  - Maxwell helped define the neo-soul music movement in the ‘90s alongside artists like D’Angelo.(Photos from left: STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images, Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

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New Soul  - Maxwell helped define the neo-soul music movement in the ‘90s alongside artists like D’Angelo.(Photos from left: STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images, Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Fan Fave - In 1999, his hit single “Fortunate” went to No. 1 and left everyone thankful they had a girl that year.(Photo: Columbia Records)

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Fan Fave - In 1999, his hit single “Fortunate” went to No. 1 and left everyone thankful they had a girl that year.(Photo: Columbia Records)

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Paying Homage - After a six-plus-year hiatus, Maxwell’s performance of Al Green’s “Simply Beautiful” at the 2008 BET Awards left fans hungering for more.(Photo: John Shearer/WireImage)

Flying High - Maxwell’s 2009 single “Pretty Wings” flew to the top of the R&B/Hip-Hop chart within three weeks of its release.(Photo: Columbia Records)

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Flying High - Maxwell’s 2009 single “Pretty Wings” flew to the top of the R&B/Hip-Hop chart within three weeks of its release.(Photo: Columbia Records)