Bild 1 von 1
Bild 1 von 1
Bild 1 von 1
Bild 1 von 1
For his accurately titled fifth album, Leon Bridges linked with producers and multi-instrumentalists Lydia Kitto and Josh Lloyd-Watson, two-thirds of Jungle. Mutual admirers, Bridges and Jungle had been running into one another at festivals and other gigs. Coming off two of his most ballad-heavy efforts with Gold-Diggers Sound and Leon, Bridges had an eye toward making a more uptempo set of material to get him dancing on-stage again. Who better to enlist than members of a high-profile band known for creating a party-like atmosphere with lively material that is essentially modern disco? Kitto and Lloyd-Watson brought their knowledge of vintage dance music, the high energy, the horns -- the organic works, essentially -- and Happiness Anytime consequently provides one spirited dancefloor groove after another. "Light the Way" sets the romantic summer scene; when Bridges confesses, "Wanna riot when you're walking with me," it sounds as if he is barely able to contain himself, full of disbelief at his good fortune, nearly panting at the thought of what might lie ahead. Like that song, the next two -- the heartening "Tears of Joy" and the resilient/defiant "Illusion" -- draw deep from vintage Afrobeat. From that point, there's more in the way of soul-rooted disco and pure throwback soul, along with "Fly Baby," a '70s-styled soft rock/smooth soul hybrid. Not once does the album sound like a Jungle album fronted by Leon Bridges. Its character is distinct from Jungle's Sunshine, issued only a month earlier, and even the song that features Kitto in a supporting role -- the bossa nova tune "All Day, All Night" -- is unmistakably Bridges' thing. In addition to the stops in Nigeria and Brazil, there's a visit to Jamaica that seals Happiness Anytime's status as one of Bridges' most appealing albums. That particular song, "Take My Hand," is floating lovers rock with an elite rhythm section consisting of drummer Eric Harland and bassist Pino Palladino. It might bring down the record's BPM average, but it does so while maintaining the good feeling.
© Andy Kellman /TiVo
For his accurately titled fifth album, Leon Bridges linked with producers and multi-instrumentalists Lydia Kitto and Josh Lloyd-Watson, two-thirds of Jungle. Mutual admirers, Bridges and Jungle had been running into one another at festivals and other gigs. Coming off two of his most ballad-heavy efforts with Gold-Diggers Sound and Leon, Bridges had an eye toward making a more uptempo set of material to get him dancing on-stage again. Who better to enlist than members of a high-profile band known for creating a party-like atmosphere with lively material that is essentially modern disco? Kitto and Lloyd-Watson brought their knowledge of vintage dance music, the high energy, the horns -- the organic works, essentially -- and Happiness Anytime consequently provides one spirited dancefloor groove after another. "Light the Way" sets the romantic summer scene; when Bridges confesses, "Wanna riot when you're walking with me," it sounds as if he is barely able to contain himself, full of disbelief at his good fortune, nearly panting at the thought of what might lie ahead. Like that song, the next two -- the heartening "Tears of Joy" and the resilient/defiant "Illusion" -- draw deep from vintage Afrobeat. From that point, there's more in the way of soul-rooted disco and pure throwback soul, along with "Fly Baby," a '70s-styled soft rock/smooth soul hybrid. Not once does the album sound like a Jungle album fronted by Leon Bridges. Its character is distinct from Jungle's Sunshine, issued only a month earlier, and even the song that features Kitto in a supporting role -- the bossa nova tune "All Day, All Night" -- is unmistakably Bridges' thing. In addition to the stops in Nigeria and Brazil, there's a visit to Jamaica that seals Happiness Anytime's status as one of Bridges' most appealing albums. That particular song, "Take My Hand," is floating lovers rock with an elite rhythm section consisting of drummer Eric Harland and bassist Pino Palladino. It might bring down the record's BPM average, but it does so while maintaining the good feeling.
© Andy Kellman /TiVo
