Moodymann: Mahogany Brown (Colored Vinyl) Vinyl 2LP

Kenny Dixon Jr.’s second LP and first on Peacefrog, originally released in 1998. Mahogany Brown rolls out in signature KDJ style - everything happens on his terms and at his pace - so prepare to sit through seven minutes of Moody flipping through the radio dial (“Radio”) before you get to the goods. But listen closely between the cracks and you’ll catch a slew of influences (Prince, 2Pac, tons of Detroit hip-hop) as well as a few gems from Moody himself waxing on his creative philosophy (“I don’t make records for the mass majority to dance to, I make music for the small majority… that listens”). “Sunshine” is signature Moody kitchen sink sample house, juxtaposing a half dozen different loops at once with sublime results, in anyone else’s hands it 100% wouldn’t work. The hootin’ hollerin’ gospel house of “Black Sunday” and “On The Run” smoky after hours vibes are other standouts, but “MahoganyBrown” is the one I always go back to - an absolute masterclass in jazz house that demonstrates Moody’s deft sampling ear and his uncanny ability to do a whole lot with very little. I don’t know if I’d trust myself to try out any of these tracks in the DJ booth, most of them start and stop quite abruptly, but this is a near-perfect at-home Sunday afternoon house record. 2019 repress on purple colored vinyl with repro packaging; these usually don’t hang around for long so be swift. Recommended.

• purple colored double vinyl pressing
• limited edition
• original release year: 1998
• music label: Peacefrog Records 2019

reviewed by Billington Lambs 03/2020