Not much is known about the musician who goes by the name of Kindness. Only that his actual name is Adam Bainbridge, that he released the record »Live in Philly« at the Philadelphia Institute for Advanced Study five years ago (back then with a very experimental sound, reminiscent of Native American music) and that he has now produced the album of the year: »World, You Need A Change Of Mind«. With this record, the long-haired boy is proving that he has an incredible feel for sampling – old 80s disco-, soul- and funk-tracks have found a worthy conservator in him and turn into musical pearls in his hands. He always sticks close to the original, no matter whether it’s Anita Dobson’s »Anyone Can Fall In Love« or the S.O.S-classic »That’s Alright«. Just the brass section in the intro of »That’s Alright« gives you goose bumps. Then, when the hard drums and sound-effects set in, you’re totally taken by surprise. But soon you’ll get used to the compact sound and you’ll be happy about finding the different references. The record’s definite highlight is the track »House« – a few piano chords, a little bit of sentimental singing, and all that in the most beguiling tempo to be found in music (around 100 BPM with a four-to-the-floor-kickdrum). »World, You Need A Change« is a record, on which every song stands on its own, there’s nothing repeated and still everything said – it’s as if Bainbridge takes a song and then thinks it over five times whether it really belongs on the record or not. These tracks are played repeatedly by DJs like Dixon or Slow Hands. And justifiably so.
Claire Rousay
The Bloody Lady
Viernulvier