A Different Approach from Moodymann's Previous work....(But
fetish_2000 | U.K. | 08/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For Producer "Kenny Dixon Jr", Music is something that is something so personal to him, that he by and large refuses to play the music industry rules: he mostly releases his music first on Vinyl in limited quantities (and those that are available are quickly snapped up), he has a such a meticulous approach to music, that he generally releases it we he feels it is ready, he doesn't really do Music press, and his music is mostly known by word of mouth. But as a producer of some of the most intelligently created and sublime: House / Tech-house / Jazz-House and Detroit Techno out there, he has (in my opinion) earned the right to be a little difficult, when it comes to his music.
Those of you that (like me) stumbled across Moodymann's work, via his incredible run of superlative albums/compilations (Silent Introduction / Mahogany Brown / Forevernevermove / Silence in the Secret Garden / Black Mahogani), will probably be keen to see what direction he takes his incredibly intricate minimalist techno, and Soulful house. And considering how utterly superb his previous albums/compilations have been producing the sort of passionate, organic and hypnotic music, that engages the mind as well as the feet, you'd be naturally expecting a continuation of this genre???
Well...Moodymann is obviously someone that doesn't sit for too long on any one genre, because as with his previous releases, he's constantly looking to evolve and progress his sound, and what this has meant, that the house/techno sound of his previous work, as taken a bit of a backseat to a mood and style that is more akin to mostly organic instrumentation, that is closer to Jazz / electronica / jazz-fusion, with a much wider emphasis on jazz improvisation, with drums, piano, bass, Sax & Strings...all making for something far looser in structure, and a very free-from in mood and tempo. It certainly doesn't immediately catch the attention in quite the same way as his previous work did, and will probably disappoint many people who weren't expecting this, and what follows is a album far more contemplative in mood, and although it retains some of the swagger of his early work, it's far more erratic and musically fluctuates, for it to be reasonably compared to what went before. And for those that aren't particularly keen on the more improvisational elements of Jazz / Jazz-fusion, this may sound like a extended jazz rehearsal Jam ...and for an album that has only 4 tracks (one of them being 18 minutes in length), it'll probably divide listeners.
Yet...if you are already well acquainted with the structure and mechanics of this genre of music, or well aware that Moodymann doesn't remained rooted to one musical spot for too long, and this is merely a natural progression his music. Then be prepared to hear a seriously well produced album, with innovative touches (with skilful use of beats and organic grooves), music flourishes which go one way and then turn back in on themselves, little percussive sounds that has been beautifully manipulated, a flair...for loose, gritty funk and soul-jazz, and stuttering, greasy keyboards, or a relaxed shuffle and jazzy organ, that form bits of soulful jazz miniatures. And with a production aesthetic that is on occasion, impeccable. And it's all anchored by seductive instrumentation which prevent the electronic touches from sounding forced and cold. And this means that this is an album which wears extremely well over the course of several listens, and because the music has such a subdued feel and interlaced sound, that it's something that will grow substantially over multiple listens. Sure....it's a probably a little too different in arrangement and a little too laid-back to compete with his best work, and almost certainly not the best place to start if you are new to Moodymann's work, but if you are someone that has (like me) been steadily picking up his work, this is a masterfully produced album, that will probably divide people into the `Love it' - `Hate it' camp, and it's probably advisable that try and listen to it first before you commit your hard earned cash. But, personally speaking....I'm loving this shift in musical direction.
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Track Listings (4) - Disc #1