Moodymann : Black Mahogani (Mahogani / Peacefrog)

Moodymann aka Kenny Dixon Jr is one of the few producers whose twelve-inch releases you can buy without listening first -even if they're expensive. Each track has its own life and soul, but always within Moodymanns inimitable balanced and paced style of deep house rhythms. He rarely disappoints. And with Black Mahogani Moodymann transcends his own boundaries and creates something truly special.

Black Mahogani wheels you in slowly, with jazzy drums and clubcrowd noise blending well with Roberta Sweed vocals that sound almost like a Paul St. Hilaire aka Tikiman tip. As opener Holiday slips into Roberta Jean Machine the transition is majestic, as tight blunted bass beats, floating strings and shuffle drums create the magnificent deep and spiritual vibe that has made Moodymann such an esteemed producer -and he has never sounded better. The track is a perfect opening to the album, an excursion in and out of 4/4 grooves and offshoots, all with different little vocal suites and quirks and all set in a club environment. You'd almost think that this was a live album, not only because of clubbers exstatic moans but because of the sheer intensity that pervades each track.

All tracks are "new" -as in, Moodymann recycles old sounds but does so impeccably, not only augmenting and improving everything he touches, but packing it all into a whole new context. The classic Amp Dog Knight aka Amp Fiddler collaboration I'm doing fine appears in a superb new version, sounding fresher than ever. Riley's song throws a punchy and scratched bass beat on and off while vocals drift in an out of the soundscape. Mahogani 9000 is extended with much new dialogue and it's as atmospheric as ever -with crisp drums and a vibrant melody. Title track Black Mahogani rounds it all off with an addictive kick and that superb and funky rolling bassline. The triple vinyl version even includes an untitled bonus track.

Black Mahogani is also infinitely more tight and complete than Kenny Dixon Jrs previous Silence in the secret garden album, which was disappointing by Moodymann standards. Every track seems in its perfect place and contributes its own vibe towards the whole of the album. The sound is crystal clear, shunning the sometimes slighlty unfortunate muddy sounds of some Moodyman twelve-inch releases. The music submerges you into the Moodymann universe to a point where any sense of time is lost and you'll wonder how the album ended so fast.

An instantly enthralling album, Black Mahogani reaffirms everything there is to love about Moodymann productions -and multiplies the sensation twenty times. This is simply exquisite : an excursion into perfection and an instant modern classic.

Review by Nicolai Hartvig

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