Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Few singers are as smooth or silky as Maxwell, who for three decades has transfixed fans over a practically super human falsetto and five seriously soulful albums, which might not get released too often, but are always amazing.

“The Serenade” Tour isn’t tied to any one of them in particular, yet the triple Grammy Award winner’s multi-platinum catalogue certainly speaks for itself and had no problem filling the United Center to the rafters.

Before getting to the personally-penned program, Maxwell and his seven accompanists led with the recent single “Simply Beautiful,” slaying the Al Green classic at the back of the arena and walking towards the front for “Get To Know Ya,” “Lake By The Ocean” and “Sumthin’ Sumthin’.”

Shortly thereafter, the predominantly female crowd appeared more than ready to “Dancewitme,” further settled into the groove of “Bad Habits” and were fully swooning for the sky high ballad “Whenever Wherever Whatever.”

Maxwell continued crooning “For Lovers Only” and it indeed felt “Fortunate” to be in his presence, especially as he saluted Maze’s late leader Frankie Beverly and the pace picked back up come the initial closer “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder).”

He kept soaring during an encore of “Pretty Wings” when nearly every phone light lit up the darkness, while those unmistakable vocals were in just as mint of condition even after 90 mesmerizing minutes.

Guest Jazmine Sullivan is a double Grammy-winning R&B star in her own right, who brought dynamite vocals and diary-like lyrics to the proceedings alongside four musicians and three supporting singers.

“Bust Your Windows,” “Girl Like Me,” “Need U Bad” and “Pick Up Your Feelings” were but a few of her soulfully spectacular singles throughout almost an hour’s worth of many other empowering “Heaux Tales.”

Emerging singer/songwriter October London demonstrated incredible dexterity through multiple styles spanning soul, jazz and pop, all tied together by a golden, Marvin Gaye-inspired voice that was ideal to get “The Serenade” started.

For additional information on Maxwell, visit Musze.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the United Center include Jelly Roll (Oct. 11); Sabrina Carpenter (Oct. 13); Lil Durk (Oct. 20); Maggie Rogers (Oct. 24); Justin Timberlake (Oct. 27); Usher (Oct. 28, 29 and 31); Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Nov. 1); Stevie Wonder (Nov. 2); Marco Antonio Solís (Nov. 3); Sebastian Maniscalco (Nov. 8-9); Billie Eilish (Nov. 13-14); Maverick City Music (Nov. 16); Rod Wave (Nov. 18); Cyndi Lauper (Dec. 5) and Shakira (Dec. 14). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.

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