Asian Dan

Cool Guy Funk™

Kindness is lining up his next single which is the oh so over-the-top 90s RnB funk bomb “That’s Alright”. The full Kindness ensemble stepped into London’s famous Maida Vale and recorded this version for Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show which includes a live horn section that elevates the tune to a whole knew free-jazz fusion funk level.

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Kindness released their “House EP” this week featuring some fantastic edits and remixes by Zdar and Erol Alkan. Erol transforms the under 2 min “Gee Up” into a 7 min epic disco funk jam, so you don’t have to keep this catchy tune on repeat in you iTunes. Erol Alkan throws in some serious Nile Rodger’s Chic style super clean rhythm guitar that is ready for the dancefloor. Zdar’s dub of “SEOD” is a deep and dark hypnotic house edit that just sucks you into the groove. The EP is out today on Female Energy.

I caught Kindness down at the Fader Fort down at SXSW back in March and was very excited to see the live rendition of Adam Bainbridge’s project. Kindness did not come with their A-game at SXSW, granted it was their third show as a band and they did not have a proper soundcheck, I was mildly disappointed. I am a forgiving person and decided to give them a second chance and caught them live last night at Le Poisson Rouge at Josh & Dave P’s Fixed party. My experience was far from what I heard and saw down at SXSW, for they put on one of the most fun and entertaning shows I have been to in a while.
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So self-aware. So meta. It is on that Sesame Street level. Brilliant.

Kindness vs Leonard Berntstein

The mysterious Kindness has one over my heart with his album “World, You Need A Change of Mind”. It is an album that sits in a place somewhere between nostalgic music while being the most exciting and forward thinking collection tunes out today. After reading this candid Q&A with Kindness in Interview Mag, you really get an understanding of what a self-aware character Adam Bainbridge is and how he curates and positions himself.

“House” is a standout tune on the album. It is most fit for a “single” with its simple piano chords, big pop synth sounds and its emotional hook that you just want to sing along with. “World, You Need a Change of Mind” is out May 8 in the US on Terrible Records/Casablanca Records. Pre-Order the album here. For those of you in NYC, Kindness will make his live debut at Le Poisson Rouge May 17 and DJ at the Tribeca Grand May 19.

Also could this be the drum sample in for the track? Ace Frehley “New York Groove”? Good ear, Geoff.

PS Check out this mixtape I made for COLT+RANE that I close with “House”.
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