Bing Ji Ling

Bing Ji Ling means "ice cream" in mandarin and it's also the pseudonym of NYC's Quinn Luke, best known for his work in the Phenomenal Handclap Band. Shadow To Shine is Luke's third release as Bing Ji Ling and this platter of psychedelic, blue-eyed soul is a hell of a good time. A seamless blend of '60s and '70s vibes permeate the album's irresistible atmosphere ― a smattering of '60s Motown here, a smoking Hendrix-ian vibe there and the space disco feel of an off-the wall Patrick Adams production culminate in the album's centrepiece, "Dreaming." You can't go wrong when you have members of Antibalas, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and the Scissor Sisters backing you up, and the production by Embassy Sound Productions (aka the esteemed Sean Marquand and Daniel Collas) is retro to the core, yet fuelled with a hip frame of musical reference that makes everything sound more relevant than it has any right to be. Throw in Luke's smooth vocals over top and you have a summertime treat that won't give you brain freeze.