New York singer Maxwell’s debut album from 1996 is a masterpiece of 90s soul. Largely written and produced by the artist, the album updates the soul template via live instrumentation and modern production techniques. Flitting from deep ballads, ‘quiet storm’ epics and more loose funky soul jams, the aesthetic here draws on the history of soul music but also contemporary R’n’B and hip hop influences too. Maxwell’s sultry vocals and slick vocal arrangements carry the whole thing forward, creating an intimate, high-quality modern soul album.