Moodymann – Black Mahogani (3xLP, Smokey Vinyl)

Black Mahogani is a deep house album by Moodymann (Kenny Dixon Jr.), released in 2004 on Peacefrog Records. It blends soulful house grooves with elements of jazz and R&B, using Rhodes keyboards, saxophone, live instrumentation and sampled textures to create a warm, atmospheric sound. Tracks like Holiday, Runaway, Shades of Jae, Mahogani 9000 and the title track Black Mahogani highlight his ability to balance dancefloor energy with reflective, moody passages.

More than just a compilation of previous material, the record is sequenced to feel like a cohesive journey, weaving soulful vocals, subtle rhythms and instrumental improvisation into a flowing whole. It is considered one of Moodymann’s most essential works, exemplifying his unique style of Detroit house that fuses deep grooves with emotional resonance.

Reviews

“No ordinary compilation, haphazardly placing together music with little regard for position or the flow of the record … Black Mahogani … is an essential document of soulful, jazz-inspired house music.” — Stylus Magazine

“Make no mistake—a song like ‘I’m Doing Fine’ devastates dancefloor with its sonar ping, four-note Rhodes hook and soulful vocals from Amp Fiddler.” — XLR8R