Pop sensibility, jazz and modern R&B influence (take that as you will) would be the only real way to describe Otherness. The album starts with a sort of neo-jazz techno influence synth sort of song that could only really be described as a groove. On top of this, the album contains a fresh cast of featured vocalists, first to mention Kelela, who is on the tracks World Restart and With You. The album also features the collaborations of such artists as Robyn, M.anifest, Devonte Hynes and Tawiah, an eclectic yet inspiring circle. There’s also a compelling collection of musicians in the backing band, bass and brass sections that keep you questioning whether you’re somewhere in the 80’s or 60’s. The lyrical accompaniment is what you’d expect from this sort of new wave jazz product, but even still, it contains a fresh tenderness, and as mentioned the abundant featurings makes it feel like a collaborative process, and so the sentiment seems heartfelt.
Kindness is the solo project of british musician Adam Bainbridge, who contributed to Blood Orange’s 2013 Cupid Deluxe, and the influence has certainly carried over into his new album. Otherness sounds a lot more thought out than his 2012 debut, World, You Need a Change of Mind. The groovy sound is still there, but Otherness explores other emotions than brooding gaiety that was oh so prevalent the first time.
I found myself tapping my foot numerous times throughout listening to this album, then caught in a trance during other songs with hypnotising woodwind and bass drum, such as 8th Wonder, which then caught me by surprise with a verse from M.Anifest, and then later still caught me off guard with a harp solo.
Otherness is definitely worth a listen, and who knows, you might find yourself exploring the British R&B jazz scene a little further.
8/10
-Spencer Graves
