Free & Easy

Lovespirals | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 1, 2005)
• Original Release Date: November 1, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chillcuts
• ASIN: B000BNMDPQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #445,745 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Windblown Kiss was a lovely way for Lovespirals to make a clear move away from the days of Love Spirals Downwards, but Free & Easy is the best evidence that the duo of Ryan Lum and Anji Bee is now distinctly its own creative team. With Lum's guitar playing and arranging now focused on, indeed, free and easy jazz/lounge grooves, Lovespirals here are much more in the creative vein of an act like the Thievery Corporation instead of the Cocteau Twins, say, without specifically cloning either group's sound. Bee's singing is a perfect counterpoint, a blend of classic mid-century jazz- pop flow and a bit of 60s cool in a French or Brazilian sense some low-key scatting here, some warm, playful crooning there. The gently hip-shaking title track kicks things off and sets the mood all at once, and from there Lovespirals work through a total of nine songs, all of a piece but each with its own gentle joys. Lum's interest in DJing and techno can readily be heard throughout, more overtly on songs like Deep in My Soul, which quickly builds into a politely propulsive dancefloor filler, and Just Trouble but in subtler ways as well, as listens to Hand in Hand confirm. But the overall tone of the album is best captured with songs like Walk Away, a slow and lovely late-night mood-out with some great keyboard work from Lum to go with his guitar, and Abide, with its sassy but gentle strut. Concluding song Sandcastles might actually be the strongest of the bunch, easygoing and danceable all at once, concluding with a lovely overdubbed a cappella chorus from Bee. --Ned Raggett, All Music Guide

Product Description

Free & Easy is the culmination Lovespirals 3-year exploration of fusing myriad musical interests into a satisfyingly smooth sound they refer to as electro-acoustic pop. While Windblown Kiss cleverly disguised Lovespirals' digital recording techniques with its focus on organic sounds and more traditional songwriting styles, Free & Easy embraces the bands electronic origins, offering a balanced blend of elements from their earlier dance-oriented material as well as their more rock-based pop offerings.

Every track on Free & Easy has its own unique feel; the title track and album opener, "Free and Easy", is laid-back Morcheeba-esque downtempo flavored with old-school R&B stylings, including melodious Rhodes piano and wah guitar. "Hand in Hand" takes an earlier jazz-step single, slows it down to a relaxed liquid funk pace, then builds it up with heartbreakingly sweet vocal harmonies, a light, jazzy mix of acoustic and electric guitars, and a smatter of saxophone by special guest musician, Doron Orenstein. "Deep in my Soul", the funkiest of the bunch, is an upbeat deep house track featuring soulful vocals and gritty wah work, ending on a spiritual note with soaring hammond organ chords. The album takes another unexpected turn with, "Habitual", whose sparse arrangement and hushed tone recalls some of the late 60's, early 70's music that inspires the band. Album closer, "Sandcastles", further amplifies this retro rock influence in the form of an extended guitar jam breakdown and dramatic gospel-style closing.

Throughout this 43-minute collection of electro-acoustic downtempo, deep house, and jazzy-yet-rock-infused chill out, Lovespirals traverse many genres while maintaining a recognizably dreamy, sensual vibe courtesy of the smooth, soulful guitar and Rhodes piano of Ryan Lum, enhanced by the seductive vocals and romantic lyrics of Anji Bee.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Survives, November 12, 2005

By 

J. Hanna (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Free & Easy (Audio CD)

Ryan Lum, the founder of Love Spirals Downwards/Lovespirals, has went through many musical evolutions over the years. Never content to stay stuck in one musical genre, he has made strides to reach a wider audience while doing what he loves most. One of those major changes came about with the departure of ethereal vocalist, Suzanne Perry and the inclusion of sultry voiced singer, Anji Bee. The switch came as a shock for many fans of LSD, but over time Lovespirals has managed to come into their own. This is especially noticeable with the release of their sophomore album, "Free & Easy". No longer can you compare apples to oranges, but you can certainly appreciate both for what they are. Long gone are the days of the cool dnb beats of "Flux" as we are introduced to an album splashed with color and soul that certainly lives up to its name. Tracks such as "Love Survives", "Deep In My Soul", "Sandcastles", "Hand In Hand" and "Habitual" will keep you coming back for more!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy on the soul., November 8, 2005

By 

T. Wilson (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Free & Easy (Audio CD)

Free & Easy is the official rebirth album from West Coast legends Ryan Lum and Anji Bee. Three years after jumping from the gothic-based Projekt Music label, Lovespirals has finally grown some roots.

Lum's eclectic musical talents and mixing skills set Free & Easy on fire, while Bee's vocal poetry cool it down with tunes best suited for the vinyl and headphones crowd. If you're new to Lovespirals, Free & Easy won't disappoint. The 9 tunes spun into this album run through the veins of downtempo (as the "easy" title suggests) to the heart of jazz, and end up in your soul.

Take my word for it. Free & Easy is worth the trip.

5.0 out of 5 stars Need to Relax?, August 26, 2007

By 

Mothman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Free & Easy (Audio CD)

This album is truly fantastic! Ryan Lum and Anji Bee are simply stunning together. These two are quite possibly the greatest musical duo of our time. With sensual vocals and a groove that's sure to melt away the roughest of days, Free & Easy is a must have album in any collection.