In that he's a young male jazz vocalist, Kevin Mahogany is a rare bird. But even among that group, Kennedy is rarer still. As much a child of Motown as bebop, Mahogany slows things way down on his newest, My Romance. Vocal... more » gymnastics, command of scat's history, and general chops are hardly the point with Mahogany, as he creates romantic moods aplenty. Bob James plays piano with just the right mix of wandering and staying close to the melody's heart. Meanwhile, Mahogany's lush, low-end vocals rebound between James's piano, Billy Kilson's drums, and Charles Fambrough's bass. Vocal lines develop in slow motion with a deliberate ease. Mahogany sounds as much at times like Marvin Gaye as Barry White. Then, in the upper ranges, he comes off like a velvety Herb Jeffries. A tag-team duo of saxophonists handles the horn duties on several tracks, with Michael Brecker taking on the tenor parts and Kirk Whalum providing exceptional alto. --Andrew Bartlett« less
In that he's a young male jazz vocalist, Kevin Mahogany is a rare bird. But even among that group, Kennedy is rarer still. As much a child of Motown as bebop, Mahogany slows things way down on his newest, My Romance. Vocal gymnastics, command of scat's history, and general chops are hardly the point with Mahogany, as he creates romantic moods aplenty. Bob James plays piano with just the right mix of wandering and staying close to the melody's heart. Meanwhile, Mahogany's lush, low-end vocals rebound between James's piano, Billy Kilson's drums, and Charles Fambrough's bass. Vocal lines develop in slow motion with a deliberate ease. Mahogany sounds as much at times like Marvin Gaye as Barry White. Then, in the upper ranges, he comes off like a velvety Herb Jeffries. A tag-team duo of saxophonists handles the horn duties on several tracks, with Michael Brecker taking on the tenor parts and Kirk Whalum providing exceptional alto. --Andrew Bartlett
"My Romance is wonderful, in the true meaning of the word.
Kevin's voice fits the standards better than anything I've listened to in a long time. It's warm and soft, tender and strong, even dark all at the same time.
But much more than that, Kevin makes each one of these songs his. He is generous, pleads for forgiveness, wants to know about his ex' new boyfriend, asks for his girl's love and with all that he offers you, the listener, more than you could ever imagine.
Each song is painted like a short story and Kevin adjusts his voice perfectly to every single emotion - much the same as an oscar winning actor.
I bought this record as it came out and played it hundreds of times.
It still hits me as Kevin's emotions move me like the first time.
The arrangements are extremely well done. If strings (one song only), just a little, never too much. The solos perfect, making you wish there'd be more.
The musicians: marvellous: Bob James - piano, Charles Fambrough - bass, Billy Kilson - drums, Kirk Whalum - tenor sax, Michael Brecker - tenor sax"
WoW!
Randy Smith | Portland, OR United States | 02/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kevin Mahogany's voice is sooooo smoooth that I have trouble concentrating on other things when MY ROMANCE is on the CD player. The guy is the ultimate New York crooner. I picture myself sitting at a quiet booth at the Carlysle or the Algonquin curled up with a VSOP cognac and my honey, spellbound by Kevin's magic. It's awesome!"
As Good As It Gets
michael bennett | Marietta, GA United States | 11/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kevin Mahogany's "My Romance" album is a delight and a wonder. Not only does he take some classic torch songs ("I Apologize" and the title song among others), but he treats us to some wonderful songs that are rarely found even in the complete discographies of Sinatra, Bennett, Torme, etc. For example, he takes the song "How Did She Look?" and spins it into one of the most incredible gut-wrenchers, a song to rival Joe Williams version of "Here's That Rainy Day." One of my students brought me the CD and I could not stop playing it for three hours. I am awed by this talent. Cabaret singing has gone out of style, with the exception of Bobby Short and a few others. Too quiet, is my guess. And that is a real loss. Because I can remember when Chicago clubs did nothing but this kind of music: London House; Mister Kelly's; Blue Note; Black Orchid; and so forth. Now it is all amplifiers and deafening sound. What a loss! But what a joy to find Kevin Mahogany. May he have a long and storied career."
Something Very Special
michael bennett | 02/09/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kevin Mahogany is a brand new find for me. Saw him on Public TV at the Newport Jazz Festival and decided to pick up My Romance. Mahogany is super smooth on this one. Performs numbers made famous by others and tops them - adds a couple I've never heard before but now love. This guy has got it all, superb vocal quality, a romantic smoothness that makes a girl's knees grow weak and that unique very, very special quality that makes someone a star. I prefer Mahogany even to the great Joe Williams. Once you have My Romance you will definitely want to have others."
Good!
mitchel | Israel | 01/25/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Kevin Mahagony is a rare bird. A deep, great voice that knows to sing. This album is fine, with great interpetations of teach me tonight, everything is yours, can i come in and even the overdone (though really great) lush life. The sound of the album is sparse, very "cool", exactly right for a late night listening. I admire Kevin's changing from CD to CD, broadening his repetoire. Let him keep them coming!"