Embrya

Last updated
Embrya
Embrya-1-.jpg
Studio album by
Maxwell
ReleasedJune 30, 1998
Recorded1996–98
Genre
Length62:57
Label Columbia
Producer Maxwell, Stuart Matthewman
Maxwell chronology
MTV Unplugged
(1997)		Embrya
(1998)		 Now
(2001)
Singles from Embrya
  1. "Luxury: Cococure"
    Released: June 20, 1998
  2. "Matrimony: Maybe You"
    Released: December 29, 1998

Embrya is the second studio album by American recording artist Maxwell, released on June 30, 1998, by Columbia Records. As on his 1996 debut album Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite , he collaborated with record producer and Sade member Stuart Matthewman. A neo soul album, Embrya features heavy basslines, string arrangements, and an emphasis on groove over melodies. It has themes of love and spirituality.

Contents

Background

With a lesser jazz emphasis than his debut album, Embrya continues the trend towards heavy basslines and string arrangements, and it focuses on themes such as love and spirituality. However, the album features more of an emphasis on groove than melodies. [2] Its production sound contains bassy, electronic and slight syncopated beats. [3] Maxwell has defined the album's title as "an approaching growing transition thought to be contained but destined for broader perception." [4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Chicago Sun-Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [6]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [8]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [9]
Pitchfork 8.3/10 [10]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Spin 7/10 [2]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [13]

Embrya was originally received unfavorably by many critics. [14] In the Chicago Tribune , Greg Kot wrote that the record "functions primarily as background music, sustaining its contemplative tone and percolating groove almost too well". [15] Ann Powers of The New York Times called Maxwell "an expert seducer" and the music "the aural equivalent of lotion rubbed on one's back by someone interesting", but believed the lyrics lacked substance. [16] Greg Tate wrote in Spin that the album "comes off as a tad New Agey, art-rock pretentious, emotionally calculated, and sappy." [2] Dream Hampton, writing in The Village Voice , said that the "listless and unfocused" songwriting does not redeem the "ridiculous, loaded song titles" and found the music "lazy": "The band drones along as if in some somnambulant session that never ends." [17] In The Village Voice , Robert Christgau cited "Luxure: Cococure" as a "choice cut", [18] indicating "a good song on an album that isn't worth your time or money". [19] Stephen Thomas Erlewine deemed Embrya "a bit of a sophomore stumble, albeit one with promising moments", while writing in AllMusic, "[Maxwell] overstuffs his songs with ideas that lead nowhere". [5] In (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004), Arion Berger assigned the album two stars out of five, and found the songs monotonous and called the album "unfocused and pretentious ... full of overwrought, underwritten songs with obscure, fancy titles revolving around a sort of sexual gnosticism." [20]

In a positive review, Connie Johnson from the Los Angeles Times viewed Maxwell's music as unique and the album as an improvement from his debut album, which was "somewhat derivative". [9] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone magazine complimented its lush musical backdrops and found the songs "pretty wonderful, even though they're impossible to tell apart or to remember after they're done." [12] David Browne, writing in Entertainment Weekly , called the album "beautiful R&B background music" and felt that, despite vague and pretentious lyrics, it serves as "the culmination of the retro-soul movement that began taking shape several years ago." [8] Amy Linden of Vibe called it "neo-soul via ambience" and said that "like smoke, Maxwell's love songs drift away, fading ever so seductively into the background, where they stay." [1] Critics have since reappraised Embrya as a groundbreaking forerunner to later trends in Alternative R&B, and Columbia Records reissued the album in 2018 on its 20th anniversary. [21] Embrya was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album, losing to Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). [22] In 1999, it won the Soul Train Music Award for Best Male Soul/R&B Album. [23]

In 2024, Uncut ranked the album at number 110 in their list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of the 1990s", describing it as a "mighty smooth" record inspired by the "longform works" of Marvin Gaye and D'Angelo and writing that "the result is more distinct and enduring than was reckoned at the time." [24]

Commercial performance

Embrya was released on June 10, 1998. [25] It sold more than one million copies and garnered Maxwell a new alternative fanbase, but confounded urban consumers. [14] On May 26, 1999, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [25]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Maxwell (credited as Musze), except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Gestation: Mythos" 3:11
2."Everwanting: To Want You to Want" 7:30
3."I'm You: You Are Me and We Are You (Pt. Me & You)" 6:31
4."Luxury: Cococure" 5:30
5."Drowndeep: Hula" Stuart Matthewman, Musze5:39
6."Matrimony: Maybe You" 4:37
7."Arroz con pollo" 2:55
8."Know These Things: Shouldn't You"Matthewman, Musze5:14
9."Submerge: Til We Become the Sun" 6:24
10."Gravity: Pushing to Pull"Matthewman, Musze6:11
11."Eachhoureachsecondeachminuteeachday: Of My Life" 5:51
12."Embrya" 3:04
Total length:62:57

Notes:

Personnel

Credits are adapted from Allmusic. [26]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [43] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Baduizm</i> 1997 studio album by Erykah Badu

Baduizm is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Erykah Badu. It was released on February 11, 1997, by Kedar Records and Universal Records. After leaving university in order to concentrate on music full-time, Badu then began touring with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, and recorded a 19-song demo, Country Cousins, which attracted the attention of Kedar Massenburg. He set Badu up to record a duet with D'Angelo, "Your Precious Love," and eventually signed her to a record deal with Universal. Recording sessions for the album took place from January to October 1996 in New York City, Philadelphia, and Dallas.

<i>Mamas Gun</i> 2000 studio album by Erykah Badu

Mama's Gun is the second studio album by American singer Erykah Badu. It was recorded between 1999 and 2000 at Electric Lady Studios in New York and released on November 21, 2000, by Motown Records. A neo soul album, Mama's Gun incorporates elements of funk, soul, and jazz styles. It has confessional lyrics by Badu, which cover themes of insecurity, personal relationships, and social issues. The album has been viewed by critics as a female companion to neo soul artist D'Angelo's second album Voodoo (2000), which features a similar musical style and direction. Critics have also noted that while Badu's first album Baduizm contained its share of cryptic lyricism, Mama's Gun is much more direct in its approach, and places the artist in a subjective position more than its predecessor.

<i>Straight Outta Cashville</i> 2004 studio album by Young Buck

Straight Outta Cashville is the major label debut and second solo studio album by American rapper Young Buck. It was released on August 24, 2004 via G-Unit/Interscope Records. The album's title alludes to the N.W.A's 1988 album Straight Outta Compton and is a neologism for the artist's hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.

<i>Unleash the Dragon</i> 1999 studio album by Sisqó

Unleash the Dragon is the debut solo studio album by American R&B singer Sisqó of Dru Hill, released on November 30, 1999, on Def Soul. Sisqó recorded the album during Dru Hill's hiatus. It includes the hit songs "Got to Get It", "Incomplete", and "Thong Song". Previously, Sisqo had been the lead singer of the group Dru Hill. Recorded under Island Records, the group released two multi-platinum albums to date: Dru Hill (1996) and Enter the Dru (1998). In 2003, the album was certified quintuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipment of five million copies in the United States.

<i>No More Drama</i> 2001 studio album by Mary J. Blige

No More Drama is the fifth studio album by American singer Mary J. Blige, released on August 28, 2001, by MCA Records.

<i>R.</i> (R. Kelly album) 1998 studio album by R. Kelly

R. is the third solo album by American singer R. Kelly, released as a double album on November 10, 1998, by Jive Records. It marked the first time Kelly worked with other producers as opposed to producing the entire album himself. Its cover artwork uses the same image of Kelly from his 1993 debut 12 Play, only in silhouette form against a red and black background.

<i>Chocolate Factory</i> 2003 studio album by R. Kelly

Chocolate Factory is the fifth studio album by American recording artist R. Kelly, released on February 18, 2003, by Jive Records. Recording sessions took place mainly at Rockland Studios and Chicago Recording Company in Chicago, Illinois, and the album was primarily written, arranged, and produced by R. Kelly. Originally titled Loveland, Chocolate Factory was conceived by Kelly amid controversy over his sex scandal at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxwell (musician)</span> American R&B singer

Gerald Maxwell Rivera, known mononymously as Maxwell, is an American singer-songwriter, and record producer. He rose to prominence following the release of his debut studio album Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite (1996), which received widespread acclaim and spawned the hit singles "Ascension " and "Sumthin' Sumthin'". Through the album and its follow ups, Maxwell has been cited—along with Lauryn Hill, D'Angelo, and Erykah Badu—for ushering in the neo soul movement and its sensibilities into mainstream popular music during the late 1990s.

<i>Diamond Life</i> 1984 studio album by Sade

Diamond Life is the debut studio album by English band Sade, released in the United Kingdom on 16 July 1984 by Epic Records and in the United States on 27 February 1985 by Portrait Records. After studying fashion design, and later modelling, Sade Adu began backup-singing with British band Pride. During this time Adu and three of the original members of "Pride"—Paul Anthony Cook, Paul Denman and Stuart Matthewman—left the group to form their own band called Sade. After various demos and performances, Sade received interest from record labels and signed to Epic.

<i>Phrenology</i> (album) 2002 studio album by the Roots

Phrenology is the fifth studio album by American hip hop band the Roots, released on November 26, 2002, by MCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during June 2000 to September 2002 at Electric Lady Studios in New York. It was primarily produced by members of the band and features contributions from hip hop and neo soul artists such as Cody ChesnuTT, Musiq Soulchild, Talib Kweli, and Jill Scott.

<i>In My Mind</i> (Pharrell Williams album) 2006 studio album by Pharrell Williams

In My Mind is the debut studio album by American musician Pharrell Williams. The album was released on July 25, 2006, by Star Trak Entertainment, Virgin Records and Interscope Records. It debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200, selling 142,000 copies in its first week of release. The album is also certified Silver in the United Kingdom for sales of over 60,000 copies. In My Mind would go on to receive a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>Eve-Olution</i> 2002 studio album by Eve

Eve-Olution is the third studio album by American rapper Eve, released by Ruff Ryders Entertainment on August 27, 2002 and distributed through Interscope Records. Production was handled by frequent collaborators Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz and also Irv Gotti, among others. The album spawned the internationally successful single "Gangsta Lovin'", which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop song charts as well as number four in Australia, and debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 133,000 copies while also reaching the top twenty in Canada, France, and Switzerland. For selling over 600,000 copies in the US, it was certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Promise</i> (Sade album) 1985 studio album by Sade

Promise is the second studio album by English band Sade, released in the United Kingdom on 4 November 1985 by Epic Records and in the United States on 15 November 1985 by Portrait Records. Recording for the album began in February and lasted until August 1985. The band co-produced the album with the same team of producers they worked with on their debut album, Diamond Life, including Robin Millar, Mike Pela and Ben Rogan. The album's title comes from a letter from Sade Adu's father where he refers to the "promise of hope" to recover from cancer.

<i>A Rose Is Still a Rose</i> 1998 studio album by Aretha Franklin

A Rose Is Still a Rose is the thirty-fourth studio album by American recording artist Aretha Franklin. It was released on March 24, 1998, by Arista Records. Conceived after a longer hiatus and a complete departure from her previous studio album What You See Is What You Sweat (1991), the album includes influences of 1990s hip hop as well as modern-day contemporary R&B and soul music. Throughout the project, Franklin worked with many famed hip hop producers and rappers, such as Lauryn Hill, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Jermaine Dupri, and Daryl Simmons. With the latter acts producing most of the album, A Rose Is Still a Rose deviated from the adult contemporary sound of Franklin's older work.

<i>Soul of a Woman</i> (Kelly Price album) 1998 studio album by Kelly Price

Soul of a Woman is the debut studio album by American singer Kelly Price. It was released by Island Records on August 11, 1998, in the United States and debuted at number fifteen on the Billboard 200. The album's most popular single and Price's biggest hit was "Friend of Mine", which tells the story of a woman whose husband cheated on her with her best friend.

<i>Now</i> (Maxwell album) 2001 studio album by Maxwell

Now is the third studio album by American R&B singer Maxwell. It was released on August 14, 2001, by Columbia Records. Following the lukewarm critical reception of his 1998 record Embrya, Maxwell pursued a different direction while recording Now, abandoning the conceptual style of his previous albums.

<i>Maxwells Urban Hang Suite</i> 1996 studio album by Maxwell

Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite is the debut album by American R&B singer-songwriter Maxwell. It was recorded in 1994 and 1995, then released on April 2, 1996, by Columbia Records.

<i>BLACKsummersnight</i> 2009 studio album by Maxwell

BLACKsummers'night is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Maxwell, released July 7, 2009 on Columbia Records. It is the follow-up to his third album Now (2001). Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003 to 2009 and production was handled entirely by Maxwell and Hod David.

<i>Wake Up!</i> (John Legend and the Roots album) 2010 studio album by John Legend and the Roots

Wake Up! is a collaborative studio album by American R&B recording artist John Legend and hip hop band the Roots, released September 21, 2010, by GOOD Music and Columbia Records. It is Legend's fourth studio album and the Roots' tenth. The album was produced by Legend with band members Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and James Poyser, and features guest appearances by CL Smooth, Malik Yusef, Common, and Melanie Fiona, among others. Inspired by the 2008 United States presidential election, Legend and the Roots primarily covered 1960s and 1970s soul music songs for the album with social themes of awareness, engagement, and consciousness.

<i>blackSUMMERSnight</i> 2016 studio album by Maxwell

blackSUMMERS'night is the fifth studio album by American R&B singer and songwriter Maxwell. He produced most of the record with longtime collaborator and multi-instrumentalist Hod David; two songs were also co-produced by Stuart Matthewman. The album was released on July 1, 2016, by Columbia Records and charted at number three on the Billboard 200 while garnering widespread acclaim from critics.

References

  1. 1 2 Linden, Amy. "Review: Embrya". Vibe : 153–154. August 1998.
  2. 1 2 3 Tate, Greg (August 1998). "Review: Embrya". Spin . New York: 136–7. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  3. ↑ Johnson Jr., Billy. "Embrya". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  4. ↑ Harrington, Richard. Maxwell's `Embrya,' In the Mood for Love. The Washington Post . Retrieved on 2009-03-30.
  5. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Review: Embrya. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-09-24.
  6. ↑ Little, Rebecca; et al. (July 12, 1998). "Spin Control". Chicago Sun-Times . Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2013.(subscription required)
  7. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). "Maxwell". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music . Vol. 5 (4th ed.). MUZE. p. 582. ISBN   0195313739.
  8. 1 2 Browne, David. Review: Embrya. Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved on 2009-09-24.
  9. 1 2 Johnson, Connie. Review: Embrya. Los Angeles Times . Retrieved on 2009-09-24. (Star rating found at archived page [ dead link ])
  10. ↑ Nelson, Brad (October 8, 2018). "Review: Embrya". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Review: Embrya". Q . London: 124. February 2002.
  12. 1 2 Sheffield, Rob. "Review: Embrya". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
  13. ↑ Jones, Steve. "Review: Embrya". USA Today : June 30, 1998. Archived from the original on 2009-09-24. (Transcription of original review at talk page)
  14. 1 2 Seyfu Hinds, Sewlyn (April 2001). "Inner Vision". Vibe . New York: 104–10. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  15. ↑ Kot, Greg (July 5, 1998). "Maxwell". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  16. ↑ Powers, Ann. Review: Embrya. The New York Times . Retrieved on 2009-09-24.
  17. ↑ Hampton, Dream. Review: Embrya. The Village Voice . Retrieved on 2009-09-24.
  18. ↑ Christgau, Robert (February 23, 1999). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice . New York. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Key to Icons". Robert Christgau. 2000. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  20. ↑ Berger et al. 2004, p. 521.
  21. ↑ Ani, Ivie (June 2018). "Maxwell Talks Social Media, Making Politically Charged Music & What The Legacy Of 'Embrya' Is 20 Years Later". Okayplayer . Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  22. ↑ 14th Annual Soul Train Award Winners Archived 2000-09-17 at the Wayback Machine allyourtv.com/awards/ March 6, 2000
  23. ↑ Robinson, John, ed. (April 2024). "The Ultimate Record Collection: The 500 Greatest Albums of the 1990s". Uncut: The Archive Collection (7): 49.
  24. 1 2 "American album certifications – Maxwell – Embrya". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. Archived from the original on July 17, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Embrya – Maxwell: Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Maxwell – Embrya". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3631". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Maxwell – Embrya" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  29. ↑ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 15, no. 28. July 11, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved February 8, 2023– via World Radio History.
  30. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Maxwell – Embrya". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Charts.nz – Maxwell – Embrya". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Maxwell – Embrya". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Maxwell – Embrya". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Maxwell Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Maxwell Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  42. ↑ "American album certifications – Maxwell – Embrya". Recording Industry Association of America.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.