Moodymann @ Subculture, 20 March

This month sees Kenny Dixon Jr, aka Moodymann appear as part of Smirnoff’s So… series of Sub Club and Slam’s co-promoted events.

Since launching the KDJ label with his own Moody Traxx EP in 1994, the enigmatic Detroit producer has reinterpreted his love of soul, funk and jazz within the house genre, releasing such classics as Black Mahogoni and I Can’t Kick This Feeling When It Hits, while compilations Silent Introduction, Forevernevermore and Black Mahagoni have included material ranging from the slow and moody to the up-beat and energetic.

Despite being outspoken on the need for house and techno to retain a distinctly black imprint, KDJ’s remained interview shy, save for a single 2007 radio exchange with Gilles Peterson. As a DJ he’s more knowledgeable-selector than purist-mixer, keen for audiences to focus on the records he plays rather than him, in the process creating the kind of vibe that’s ideally suited to the Sub.