Bing Ji Ling

hometown: New York, NY

categories: Psychedelic, R&B, Soul

for fans of: Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Maxwell

why you should check them out:
What is more fascinating than a long-haired, bearded white dude with a penchant for 70s-infused three-piece suits, and who records soulful, panty-dropping funked-out summertime jams under the Mandarin Chinese moniker of Bing Ji Ling (it means ”ice cream” in case you were wondering)? Probably nothing you’ve heard all week long! If your mind hasn’t already been blown, your curiosity should compel you to bump some Bing Ji Ling up in your earholes RIGHT NOW.

background check:
Bi-coastal music phenom Quinn Luke has just released his third full-length record, Shadow to Shine, and it dares you to play it on non-stop loop at your next backyard BBQ or rooftop fiesta. Luke is an accomplished musician, sporting a resume that lists him as a member of the Phenomenal Handclap Band, as part of the duo Q&A (with Tussle songwriter Alexis Georgopoulos), and as a constant member of skateboarder Tommy Guerrero’s group (although I don’t believe he pulls ollies during the show). It’s his musical chops as a lyricist and instrumentalist, along with his sonic vision, that in partnership with producers Marquand and Collas make Shadow to Shine an immensely pleasurable work of laid-back genius. Luke gives a big, fat nod and a high-five back to 1970s soul and R&B, conjuring up classic Motown with his use of vintage instruments and sing-along pop-centric melodies. He makes the time-honored sound on his album come across as fresh despite timeless lyrics. Luke has an impressive vocal range, tipping the upper falsetto region on certain tracks and drawing you back into the groove with his honey-velvet delivery. The result is a sunshine-infused dose of danceable tracks guaranteed to make anyone’s party mix for the summer of 2011.

website: http://bingjiling.com/

on tour: click here

buy more music: click here