Pet Rock: The Pop Culture Blog

In the 1990s, R&B sensation Maxwell came on the scene with a neo-soul swagger that become undeniably popular with the ladies. He belted out hit song after hit song, including "This Woman's Work," "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)," and "Fortunate."

After his third studio album "Now" in 2001, Maxwell took a long break from the public eye to grow as an artist. "It wasn't like I had this big strategy to step away. ... A lot of my absence was based on going out to get life experience," he told the Associated Press.

Currently, he's back with a new tour that hits Radio City Music Hall on October 9th and there is a second NYC date scheduled for November 23rd at the United Palace Theater, according to his Myspace page.

"When we decided to go on the road to prepare for the release for 'Black Summers' Night,' I didn't expect that the response for tickets and interest without an album and without a single would be what it is. It's so humbling," he said.

Maxwell said he'll perform some fan favorites and three new songs from his long-awaited triple-disc "Black Summers' Night" reportedly due out February 2009. If you weren't lucky enough to get concert tickets, tide yourself over by listening to "Pretty Wings" off his new album.

Check out this first clip where Maxwell talks about his new tour and living under the radar these past few years.

Stick around to watch him sing "Simply Beautiful" as a tribue to legend Al Green on the 2008 BET Awards.

AP Photo