The debut album from bassist and singer Adi Oasis is an expansive and impressive journey through multiple genres. Lotus Glow, out on Friday, sees the French-Caribbean artist tackle throwback soul, flashes of funk, and pop with a deftness that ought to make her a superstar. Having toured with the likes of Anderson .Paak, JUNGLE, and Big Freedia, I'd say she's on her way.
Opener " Le Départ" glides by with a groove not unlike that of Erykah Badu's best material, while "Get It Got It" is as light as air. This one nods in the direction of Seventies soul with a catchy vocal-line that pairs nicely with the horns. Elsewhere, "Sidonie" is even better, a slow-burner full of throwback vibes. The message of "Dumpalltheguns" is appreciated, while the funk of "Red to Violet", a number with Jamila Woods, offers up one of this album's clear highlights, even as it vies with "Multiply" as one of this album's sexiest tracks.
Lotus Glow is a wide-ranging release, one which a listener can easily get lost in. There are a lot of collaborators here, but it's really Adi's show. Her bass and vocals anchor all of this material, providing an assured and commanding vocal performance on each track, and sleek and sure bass-work on them too. Everything here is loaded with bits of Seventies-sourced soul and contemporary pop. Fans of Erykah Badu and Janelle Monae will find portions of this as enriching as I did.
Lotus Glow by Adi Oasis it out on Friday.
[Photo: Clément Dezelus]