Forevernevermore

Released on Peacefrog, the same U.K. label that put out Mahogany Brown two years earlier, Forevernevermore compiles several of Moodymann's late-'90s tracks, similar to how Silent Introduction compiled many of his mid-'90s tracks. So keeping this fact in mind, those who already own many of his 12" records may not want to bother with this album, particularly at import prices. Yet, if the tracks are familiar, the montage aesthetic offers new insight, and if the tracks on this album are unfamiliar — which is highly likely given the often hard-to-find status of Moodymann's 12" EPs — this should be a wonderful listen. Many of these tracks, such as "Don't You Want My Love" (originally released on Pandemonium), "Forevernevermore," and "Your Sweet Love," not only feature the patented retro-disco funk so often associated with this Detroit producer, but they also manage to integrate a tremendous amount of soul. In fact, the sheer emotive nature of these tracks and their relatively downtempo beats make this album more of a reflective listening experience on par with sentimental albums such as Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On and Stevie Wonder's Talking Book than traditional house music. Though this still isn't by any means a representative collection of Moodymann's best material to date, it is still a beautiful listen that is less dancefloor-orientated and more soulful than his also wonderful Silent Introduction full-length.