Maktub, whose name means "it is written" in Arabic, formed in 1996 as a pet project of four Seattle club musicians. Reggie Watts (vocals/synthesizer), Davis Martin (drums), Alex Veley (keyboards), and Kevin Goldman (bass), came together from various parts of Seattle's burgeoning soul community to create a groove-oriented, brooding R&B sound. Led by Watts' polished baritone vocals, Maktub released a competent debut album, Subtle Ways, in 1999. The album quickly rose to number one on local radio station KCMU's charts and went on to win the Best Northwest R&B Album of 1999 award ...