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Sy Smith – Conflict

sy200.jpgArtist: Sy Smith
Title: Conflict
Label: Psyko! Records
Genre: Soul/Hip-Hop/Electronica

Sy Smith is an original. A soul artist unafraid to dabble in various genres to achieve her sound, Sy has emerged as one of the driving forces behind the progressive soul community. With Conflict, Sy continues the exploration of her individuality, creating a tapestry that straddles traditional soul, pop, and electronica experiments. The result is an album that remains true to her unique style.

Because of constant touring, Smith may be best known as a soul artist of the highest order. But one listen to Conflict and it is apparent that she sees herself as something more than that. While funky and mellow neo-soul grooves are a major part of the vibe here as on standout tracks “The Things I Do” and the ultra slinky “Overthought” featuring Bilal Salaam, the tracks that have the most creative energy are anything but traditional. The broken beat and house flavors of “The Art Of You” could have been plucked from the Naked Music or Om Records catalogs. This track pulses with freedom as cascading percussion and baby coos swirl around Sy’s enchanting vocals. The trippy title track contains complex lyrics like “Conflict/ opposites/Psychological politics/Trying to live without regrets/Trying to make us all forget” and a hook built around the refrain “This is your brain of drugs.” “Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness” finds Sy declaring her musical independence by admitting “deep down inside I’m really gangsta.”  She further indulges her quirky sensibilities with “B-Side Love Affair”, a double-time drum & bass inspired tune with a jazzy flow.

There is no doubt that Sy Smith is what Nu-Soul is all about. She is an artist who draws inspiration from the traditions of jazz and soul yet pushes the sound into new territories by experimenting with new genres. For open-minded soul lovers, Conflict will definitely hit all the right notes.

-    Norman Mayers

www.myspace.com/sysmith

Purchase at Mobile Underground

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Discussion

8 comments for “Sy Smith – Conflict”

  1. [...] Artist: Sy Smith Title: Conflict Genre: Soul/Hip-Hop/Electronica Read the review [...]

    Posted by New reviews: Sy Smith, Eric Lau « Nu-Soul Magazine’s Musings | April 21, 2008, 11:11 pm
  2. [...] STRICTLY SOCIAL returns on Wednesday May 28 to celebrate the release of Sy Smith’s new album Conflict. There will be a special listening session of the new album beginning at 9pm with lots of giveaways. Read the Nu-Soul Magazine album review [...]

    Posted by Nu-Soul presents Strictly Social w/ Sy Smith - Wednesday May 28 « Nu-Soul Magazine’s Musings | May 14, 2008, 8:32 am
  3. [...] STRICTLY SOCIAL returns on Wednesday May 28 to celebrate the release of Sy Smith’s new album Conflict. There will be a special listening session of the new album beginning at 9pm with lots of giveaways. Read the Nu-Soul Magazine album review [...]

    Posted by Nu-Soul Magazine | Nu-Soul presents Strictly Social w/ Sy Smith - Wednesday May 28 | May 14, 2008, 3:58 pm
  4. [...] There will be a special listening session of the new album beginning at 9pm with lots of giveaways. Read the Nu-Soul Magazine album review Sy Smith @ [...]

    Posted by Sy Smith @ Strictly Social May 28th | electronic, hip-hop, soul music and downloads | May 20, 2008, 2:30 pm
  5. [...] STRICTLY SOCIAL returns on Wednesday May 28 to celebrate the release of Sy Smith’s new album Conflict. There will be a special listening session of the new album beginning at 9pm with lots of giveaways. Read the Nu-Soul Magazine album review [...]

    Posted by Sy Smith @ Strictly Social - May 28, 2008 « Nu-Soul Magazine’s Musings | May 23, 2008, 3:12 pm
  6. [...] STRICTLY SOCIAL returns on Wednesday May 28 to celebrate the release of Sy Smith’s new album Conflict. There will be a special listening session of the new album beginning at 9pm with lots of giveaways. Read the Nu-Soul Magazine album review [...]

    Posted by Wed (May28) Buddhabong Photography showcasing at… « BUDDHABONG | May 27, 2008, 8:15 pm
  7. Thx for article

    Posted by Cialisel | July 16, 2008, 4:23 pm
  8. Good blog.

    Posted by Comprar Cialis | August 4, 2008, 10:06 am

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