Kevin Mahogany's third and final Enja recording (before moving on to Warner Bros.) was his finest and a very definitive set. More jazz-oriented than his first Warner Bros. set, this program matches
Mahogany's attractive voice with pianist
James Williams (who contributed the tune "Old Times Sake"), bassist
Michael Formanek, drummer
Victor Lewis and guest tenor
Benny Golson. Singer
Jeanie Bryson helps out on the opening "Baby You Got What It Takes," making one wish that the two vocalists would team up more often. Other highlights include
Quincy Jones' classic "Stockholm Sweetnin'," "Route 66" (which has some creative scatting by
Mahogany), the brief "Yardbird Suite" and "BG's Groove." Throughout this date,
Kevin Mahogany (formerly a saxophonist who obviously knows music well) shows just how strong a jazz singer he can be. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow