Rest In Paradise “Maxee” of Brownstone – [UB Archived Interview]

Charmayne “Maxee” Maxwell from the group Brownstone passed away Saturday. She leaves behind her son and husband (Carsten Soulshock, of the hit-making production duo Soulshock and Karlin). Circumstances surrounding her death are still being sorted out.

Brownstone is a Grammy Award nominated female R&B group that was popular during the mid-1990s. Signed by Michael Jackson to his MJJ label (a joint venture with Sony). They’re best known for the 1995 hit single, “If You Love Me.” They also had some success with the singles “Grapevyne“, “Pass The Lovin‘” “5 Miles to Empty,” and “I Can’t Tell You Why“, a song originally recorded by The Eagles.

In 2008 UrbanBridgez.com spoke with Maxee about her solo project and Brownstone. Remembering the interview like it was yesterday, she was so sweet and down to earth and a pleasure to speak with.

Rest in Paradise Charmayne “Maxee” Maxwell

UrbanBridgez.com: How did you become apart of Brownstone?
Maxee (Brownstone): Years ago I met Nicki and at the time we were both solo artists. Then we decided to form a group, so we started looking for another young lady to join.

UrbanBridgez.com: “If You Love Me” really blew up, I remember hearing it on the radio every hour. What do you remember best about filming your first music video for that single?
Maxee (Brownstone): That it was interesting. I was a bit shy, so it was odd having all those people around us just there watching. I was like UGH! I wasn’t really comfortable with all of that at that time. But it really was fine after awhile and the director and the actor in the video were really cool. It turned out to be really fun!

UrbanBridgez.com: Till this day, you guys still have the best remake of “I Can’t Tell You Why” my all time favorite Brownstone track. What made you guys cover that song?
Maxee (Brownstone): Aww thank you so much! It was actually the President of the labels idea to do it. We knew we wanted to do a cover of something. Then he came in and was like do “I Can’t Tell You Why” by the Eagles. So we tested it out and decided that we wanted to go with it for the album.

UrbanBridgez.com: What do you think was the reason “Still Climbing” didn’t do as well as the debut album?
Maxee (Brownstone): Lack of promotion! We didn’t get as nearly as much promotion as we got for our first album, for the second album. Promotion is VERY important!

UrbanBridgez.com: You all appeared on the single “Freedom” for the Panther soundtrack which featured every R&B artists who was hot at the time, how was that experience?
Maxee (Brownstone): It was really great. Just the chance to meet some of those artists that we had never met was really good. It was a wonderful opportunity for us.

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell me about your solo release coming soon?
Maxee (Brownstone): It’s called “Useless,” it’s kinda like what most won’t expect from me. Being that it’s not really R&B. It’s more Alternative, with like the guitar bass. Soulshock and Karlin did it, I hope it does well.

UrbanBridgez.com: What type of album did you set out to make when you started recording it?
Maxee (Brownstone): I did not want to do an R&B record! It’s like coming from where I do, I’m more into Pop music. Like The Eagles, to Bob Marley type reggae influenced music, but not just R&B. I also love the Carpenters, I love the tone of her voice.

UrbanBridgez.com: What have you been doing since the last Brownstone release?
Maxee (Brownstone): Well we’ve actually done some shows since then, here and there. I released a solo album in Europe, I was signed to Mercury and it did really well. I had a son, me and Soulshock, after 15 years of being together we finally had a child. I just really missed doing music and performing, so I’m happy I’m working on some new music again.

UrbanBridgez.com: Rumor has it a new Brownstone album is on the way?
Maxee (Brownstone): Yeah there could be! Actually I’m going to Atlanta real soon to start working on the new album.

UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words for your fans?
Maxee (Brownstone): I miss them… I’m coming back soon and again with Brownstone!