“Are You Lonely Or Alone? Sometimes it’s hard to tell…”
Obviously “Gypsy Woman” by Crystal Waters has been an interminably sampled house classic since forever, but doesn’t it seem to be especially ubiquitous lately?
The latest great use of that classic sample: “La Da Di,” the closing track by EaSWay off his latest album Love in the Streets, with the LA-via-the-Bay producer Baghead slowing those addictive piano chords way, way down. There are brief uptempo moments, like the breaks on “Convince Me” and the juke on “Way Low,” but for the most part it’s sexy, midtempo club grooves with only a tasteful hint of big splashing hyphy sounds. EaSWay, a member of the 17-deep local collective Family Not A Group, bounces, swings, and sing-raps his autotuned way through the album, all plush and easy.
It’s EaSWay’s first solo album in almost three years, but of course the features abound: On “Sober,” he links up with Ozer, a pairing we loved on their OutKast-inspired EP Slaponia. Stunnaman02 flips on “Lights Off” in pure Stunnaman02 style, all unshakeable confidence luxuriating in the daily wins. And “the Snack Sensei” Grand-O appears on two tracks, including the title track, which opens with a cutting intro verse by SundaY. If you believe that romance blooms in the springtime, then Love in the Streets could be your soundtrack for the season.
