"Ascension " is a 1996 song by the American R&B/neo soul singer Maxwell. It is the second single released from his debut album, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite. The track peaked in the top ten on Billboard's R&B songs, reached top forty on the Hot 100 and No. 28 on UK's Singles chart. It debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks in August 1996 at number 11, eventually peaking number eight and spending 29 weeks on the chart. It spent eighteen weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 36 on September 28, 1996. The B side of the single is "Lock You Up N' Love Fa Days," which was previously unreleased and also written and produced by Musze.
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from most music critics. AllMusic editor Stephen Cook picked it as one of the highlights on the albumMaxwell's Urban Hang Suite. Daryl Easlea for BBC said that it "was the rightful hit single". Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that it "continues to revisit the classic soul ground first mined by legends like Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson." He added that "cruising at a chilled midtempo pace, Maxwell flexes his voice to falsetto heights while also displaying a rich lower register that's so sexy. Wrap in a rubbery bassline and jiggly funk guitars and you have a tasty single". Monyca D. Coleman from Indianapolis Recorder said the song is "brilliant". Music & Media commented that "it won't take long for the world to discover the Next Big Thing In Soul Music. Maxwell is quickly capturing hearts all over the world. He even got TAFKAP to do the sound of his recent Paris show. He oozes charisma and he has the musical clout to back it up. He glides his way through this mid-tempo smoothie with a delicious deep bass and wah wah guitars." Bob Jones from Muzik called it "the next best thing since soul was invented. Awesome, truly awesome!" New Straits Times commented, "Forget about Viagra, this is the real thing! If ethereal tracks like Ascension, Whenever, Wherever and...Til The Cops Keep Knockin' don't raise body temperatures, you're in serious "shagadelic" trouble my friend. Lights off, stimulus on!" San Antonio Express-News noted the song as "slinky". Vibe described it as a "smooth" and "slow" track with a "sultry mood".
Music video
The music video for the song was directed by American music video and television director and television producer Liz Friedlander. At the beginning, Maxwell stands alone, dancing in the dark in a room that is a large stage surrounded by white screens. As he begins to sing, the light slowly turns on the singer. He is dressed in a shiny gray outfit and a band is now performing around him on stage. Throughout the video, different people are entering the room through a large oval opening. Towards the end, these people are dancing among the musicians while Maxwell sings until the end of the video.
