Sunny and spirited, the mood on Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's third duets album belies the real-life turmoil behind the scenes. Diagnosed with a brain tumor two years prior, Terrell was battling cancer during the sessions; some accounts, including Gaye's, indicate that coproducer Valerie Simpson sang Terrell's parts. None of this comes through on the final product. "California Soul" sports a summery bounce, "I'm Your Puppet" is light on its feet, and "The Onion Song" offers briskly delivered social commentary. Sadly, Terrell passed away shortly after the release of Easy. Two years later Gaye would release What's Going On.