Personnel: Maxwell (vocals); Stuart Matthewman (guitar, baritone saxophone, keyboards, synthesizer, bass, programming); Reggie Hamilton (guitar, bass); Greg Moore (guitar); Gerald Terack, Matthew Raimondi (violin); Veronica Salas (viola); Susan Poliacik (cello); Gloria Agostini (harp); Russell Gun (trumpet); Clark Gayton (trombone); Darrell Smith (keyboards, synthesizers, programming, background vocals); Carl Carter (bass); Gene Lake, Kerri Griffin (drums); Bashiri Johnson, Daniel Sadownick (percussion); Sherry, Mike, Jose, Randy (background vocals).

EMBRYA was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best R&B Album. "Matrimony: Maybe You" was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

Having established himself as a primary torchbearer for the romanticism of vintage 70's soul, Maxwell uses his third album EMBRYA to tread the same path as Al Green, walking the tightrope between spirituality and sensuality. On selections with some rather tongue-twisting titles, Maxwell takes the business of love and relationships seriously. Awash in Barry White-influenced arrangements, "I'm You: You Are Me And We Are You (pt me & you)" looks at all of humanity combining to form a higher consciousness.

Elsewhere, the young vocalist uses "Luxury: Cococure" to bid adieu to a dead affair and greet the possibilities of getting to know himself, as a creamy beat pulses throughout the song. Between his delicate falsetto, innumerable quiet interludes and his re-teaming with Sade sideman Stuart Matthewman, the romance oozing from this record makes Maxwell's EMBRYA the soundtrack to a quiet storm of erotic interaction.