Bing Ji Ling's 2011 effort,
Shadow to Shine, was a kaleidoscopic, fuzz guitar and horn-laden production that showcased N.Y.C.-based singer/songwriter Quinn Luke aka
Bing Ji Ling's '60 and '70s-inspired pop and soul.
Ling's similarly '70s-centric follow-up, 2014's covers album
Sunshine for Your Mind, is a much more laid-back, stripped-down affair that often simply features
Ling accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. While there is still a heavy soul and R&B vibe on
Sunshine for Your Mind, the album also finds
Ling branching out into other chilled-out sounds, like his Latin-tinged take on
Prince's "Anotherloverholenyohead" and his similarly groove-heavy, Afro-pop-sounding version of
Lil' Louis' "Club Lonely." Elsewhere, we get several more inspired reworkings of R&B hits, including
DeBarge's "I Like It,"
Sade's "Kiss of Life," and
Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby." We even get to hear
Ling delve into the American Popular Songbook with his take on pianist
Erroll Garner's classic ballad "Misty." A soft-focus album and a bit of an aperitif until
Ling delivers a bigger production,
Sunshine for Your Mind is still a superb listen for all your romantic afterglow events. ~ Matt Collar