Kenny Dixon Jr.

• One of Detroit's most prolific and mysterious producers Moodymann, aka Kenny Dixon Jr. has played a significant role in the development of house music as we hear it today. Working as a producer for over 10 years, Kenny has been the name and force behind some of the most classic underground house releases ever to come out of Detroit, earning him an international respect from house, techno, jazz, soul and funk enthusiasts alike, as well as making him one of America's biggest and most mysterious house export's With his history of groundbreaking music, coupled with his unspoken views on black consciousness and reluctance to talk to the press about any aspect of his life or music, Moodymann has become something of an icon in the UK over the last two years. Tracks such as 'Music People', 'Can't Kick This Feeling', 'Sunday Morning', 'Dance If U Want 2', 'Black Mahogany' to name but a few have all been firm favourites and club classics with the likes of Carl Craig, Masters At Work, Giles Peterson, Laurent Garnier, Andrew Weatheral etc, all of which were released in extremely limited numbers on his own ultra low key KDJ imprint. Equally classic and limited 12"s and EP's have also been released on labels such as Soul City, Music Is, Three Chairs, Planet-E, Pandamonium and there was of course his debut album Mahogany Brown released on Peacefrog (PF074) in 1998. Forevernevermore documents the next level for one of house musics most inspiring producers, once again placing himself one step ahead of everyone else.
  Going entirely against the grain of traditional production approaches and breaking down the barriers and constraints of traditional house music. Forevernevermore opens door's into entirely new territories and new possibilities in the development of house music as we hear and perceive it today. As in many previous KDJ productions and particularly present on Forevernevermore, there are a whole host of Black American musical artforms incorporated into the album. Most notably soul, funk and disco influences are combined with peak hour dancefloor house grooves creating unique and inspiring results. Whilst on other productions particular attention is payed to Kenny's roots in gospel, hip hop, jazz and R&B. All of which are combined with his unique production skills delivering challenge and provocative results This is the second full length Moodymann album written exclusively for Peacefrog. Forevernevermore will appeal to fans completely across board and is an essential album for anyone with an interest of any form in the development of modern music from house and techno enthusiasts through to soul, jazz and disco fans.
  For those of you who don't already know: Moodyman aka Kenny Dixon Jr. Has his roots firmly based in Detroit. He has been an inspiration to many people, with his own unique breed of house music that has been around for a few years now. Kenny's own label KDJ has released a host of classic 12' singles -- most of which have featured the man solo. Which such a prolific history of ground breaking music coupled with Kenny's mysterious reluctance to talk to the press about any part of his life or music --- Moodyman has become somewhat of an icon. It's difficult to be objective about an album when this amount of hype surrounds an artist -- although if you have open ears and forget what you've heard or read you will be able to enjoy some of the most groundbreaking music released for a long time.
  Compiled from www.forcedexposure.com
  
  
• Moodymann is a mysterious man. He doesn´t give any interviews, doesn´t want to be photographed. He´s real name is Kenny Dixon Jr, that is as much as we know about him. In a perfect world the music of Moodymann would cause as much rumble as any Cassius or Stardust. A Silent Introduction an apt title for a man shrouded in as much mystery, is a compilation of his best moment on the rare KDJ label. Moodymann´s sound is embedded in simple based twisted disco, abstract jazz and the unmistakable sound of Detroit techno. He´s retro but future, minimal but groovy.
  Compiled from www.fused.com
  
  
• An outspoken voice in the normally non-confrontational world of electronic dance music, Moodymann (given name: Kenny Dixon Jr.) is committed to keeping a distinctly black imprint on techno and house. While he may frustrate people with his refusal to be interviewed and insistence on reminding people of the genre's origins, the soulfulness of his output is unquestioned. Utilizing classic soul and jazz samples, low-slung bass lines and an approach to drum programming that is diametrically opposed to the tendency to push the tempo faster and faster, he has achieved classic status thanks to gems like "Sunday Morning," "Shades of Jae," and his remix of Innerzone Orchestra's "People Make the World Go Round." Following years of 12" only releases, he compiled his best work on A Silent Introduction, one of the most celebrated albums of the late 90s.
  Compiled from www.allthingsdeep.com