Mahogany Brown cover

Mahogany Brown

Released

The self-indulgent seven-minute sample collage of scrolling through random Detroit radio stations that makes up the opening track sets the scene for Moodyman’s second album, a sonic reflection of his city and all its contrasts. It’s an album of jazz-inflected deep house and experimental disco re-edits that is full of warmth and that quietly-glowing deep house potency, but Dixon doesn’t allow the listener to ever become too comfortable, often choosing deliberately clashing samples and awkward melodic connections that sit right on the edge of musical cohesion. 

In an album that clearly demonstrates the black roots of house music by its liberal sonic references to jazz, soul and disco, epic finisher BLACK SUNDAY then makes explicit the gospel roots of house music too. Hypnotic, psychedelic and enigmatic deep house.

Harold Heath

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