Maxwell Has "Sumthin'" New for Fans

(CBS)  Multi-platinum soul artist Maxwell is back.

After an extended hiatus, he's released his first album in eight years, "BLACKsummers' Night."

On "The Early Show" Friday, Maxwell performed the first single, "Pretty Wings," from his release, as part of "The Early Show" Summer Concert Series , along with his 1997 hit, "Sumthin' Sumthin'."

This is the fourth studio album for Maxwell, who made popular songs, such as "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" and "Lifetime".

"Early Show" guest anchor Chris Wragge asked Maxwell why he left the spotlight for so long, gesturing toward the crowds of screaming fans in "The Early Show" audience on the plaza.

Maxwell said he didn't know what he was thinking.

"Why did I leave? Why did I leave all this?" Maxwell said, smiling.

But the singer admitted he didn't think he would come back to the reception he was receiving on the show.

"I thought only one person would be standing out in the audience."

Maxwell also extended his condolences to the Jackson family for their loss.

"Michael Jackson is the inspiration for all musicians," he said. "...On every level, he touched everybody, from rock to musicians to country to soul to R&B...All I feel is a great sympathy and sadness for his family, the people who knew him as a person, not the icon."