Maxwell

Not just an exponent, but an architect of neo-soul in the '90s, Maxwell made his name in R&B on the back of an album that initially worried record label executives — it was, they thought, too square in its espousal of monogamy, not in tune with the hip-hop-soul times. But when Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite finally appeared in '96 all fears were allayed, as it went platinum and picked up a GRAMMY® nomination. Standout tracks like "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" marked out the New Yorker (of Puerto Rican/Caribbean heritage) as a sophisticated modern throwback to the classic soul of Marvin Gaye and Al Green, but his reputation as an innovator really kicked off with the MTV Unplugged release (1997) on which he covered Kate Bush ("This Woman's Work") and Nine Inch Nails ("Closer"). This overview of the Maxwell magic includes his R&B chart-topper, the R. Kelly-penned "Fortunate."