Brooklyn, NY-The aura at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center was cosmically dynamic. For the first time in music’s history of R&B have these three powerhouses come together on one amazing platform. Maxwell’s The Night Tour featuring none other than seven-time Grammy Award nominated recording artist Joe and Grammy Award wining performer Anthony Hamilton was one of New York’s most anticipated showcases to date.
Warming up the eagerly elated crowd was renowned DJ “The Fireman” S-1 of New York’s 107.5 WBLS radio station who had the entire arena turn into a world-class massive dancehall spinning a hit list of endless old school R&B classics, Hip-Hop, House, Reggae, Soca, Salsa and Reggaeton mixes that kept concert goers flossing their two-step till the lights went down to a enticing red backdrop for the mega-star lineup.
Joe opened to hit theme song of the Power series “Big Rich Town” receiving a welcoming roar before sliding into “Stutter” off his triple platinum third album My Name Is Joe. The multi-award singer, songwriter, producer and ASCAP winner crooned notes to fan favs “Faded Pictures”, “What If A Woman”, “Good Girls” and infinite Big Pun collabo “Still Not A Player” showing off his Salsa moves before spinning his web of sexy ballads on “More And More”, “Love Scene” closing with signature track “I Wanna Know” getting the ladies nice and saucy.
Following the sensual tenor was the soulfully rooted Anthony Hamilton setting off his intro to “Int’l Players Anthem (I Chose You) laying down his gospel-funk style then gliding into mellow hit single “Cool” off his certified Gold fourth album Point of it All spreading that chill, lay back and cruise vibe. Shortly after, he switched gears to a grown and sexy feel off beloved crowd pleaser “Best Of Me”, top-charting treasure “Point Of It All” and lacing a tender rendition of the great Luther Vandross’s “Superstar” from his pianist’s eloquent solo affectionately ending in “Charlene”.
After, the stage transformed to an alluring, blue fiery haze for its amorous headliner, the insatiable Maxwell. Seasoned backup vocalist LaTina Webb flourished the set before the falsetto fused Brooklynite emerged with his Gold certified classic single “Sumthin’ Sumthin” off debut album “Urban Hang Suite” donning his trademark dapper afro bringing the venue to an ecstatic rapture following up with percussion themed “Dancewitme” relinquishing his infectious silky smooth swagger throughout center.
The velvety virtuoso laxed the flow with his collection of mesmerizing masterpieces from “Lifetime”, “Fortunate”, seductive “bad Habits”, “Stop The World”, a rendition of Heatwave’s classic “Always And Forever” to Billboard’s new #1 Adult R&B track “Off” from upcoming album blacksummer’sNIGHT set to release this Spring. Continuing his fire playlist, he revived the tempo with “Lake By The Ocean” dropping it down low for his fellow Haitians before concluding a sensational finale with all-time classics “Get To Know Ya”, “Ascension” and Bilingual version of “Whenever, Wherever, Whatever” branding his Puerto Rican heritage.
Its truly remarkable how this three-time Grammy Award winning, multi platinum impresario has been in the music business for twenty-six years, still performing impeccably divine, still reciprocating the love in the city he will forever call home. The Night Tour is a genuinely a must see!
Upcoming dates: Friday, April 1st-Atlantic City Broadwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
Saturday, April 2nd-Captal One Arena -Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, April 6th-Bridgestone Arena-Nashville, TN
