Conflict (album)
Encyclopedia
Conflict is the third studio album by American
R&B
/soul
singer, Sy Smith
. The album was officially released on April 1, 2008, in United States
.
singer Minnie Riperton
's "Baby, This Love I Have". According to Sy Smith, the song "Spies" is about:
, with "Fly Away With Me
" as the lead single. The song "Fly Away With Me
" charted at #38 on the Top 40 Hot Adult R&B Chart. The music video aired on BET
's "Centric Hits" and "Soul Sessions". In September 2008, Smith and her band Deeznuts performed at Temple Bar's Farewell Show. Smith performed a seven track set-list. She also released the title-track "Conflict" as the second single and the music video premiered at Temple Bar.
In February 2009, Smith released the third single "Spies", and the music video aired on Logo Network
. The music video also features the cast of TV-series Noah's Arc. In August 2009, Smith released the fourth single "B-Side Love Affair" and the music video aired on YouTube. In 2010, she appeared on Fox DC to promote her fifth single "The Art of You".
received a "Album of the Year" nomination from Soultracks. The album has sold over 50,000 copies in United States.
Howard Dukes of Soultracks.com stated, " 'This is crazy/This is sane, Can they be one in the same?/This is legal/It's a crime/This is gonna do hard time/This is funny/This is sad/This is making me feel bad.' This is what songwriting is supposed to achieve - employing a totally funky beat to issue a thoroughly provocative message. It would be tough to make an album filled with songs that maintain that level of quality and intensity while staying true to the groove, but Smith comes awfully close. There is no filler on Conflict. In fact, Smith uses the rest of the album to display the type of diversity in tempo and topics that soul fans expect from those who operate at the top of the game."
Norman Mayers of Nu-Soul Magazine said, "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."
, The Mint, I Got Soul Conference 2008, and Jazzy Summer's Nights. In June 2009, Smith toured along with Yahzarah
, Conya Doss
, and Maya Azucena
during the Soulsista Tour. The tour's last show ended on June 28, 2009. In July 2009, Smith toured along with Yahzarah
, Conya Doss
, and Ra-Re Valverde on the Soul Uprising Tour. In August 2009, Smith resumed her own tour, which ended in December 2009.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
/soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer, Sy Smith
Sy Smith
Sy Olivia Smith is an American Emmy nominated singer-songwriter. Born in New York, New York, Smith rose to fame in the late 1990s when she signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records. Smith released her first studio album Psykosoul in 2000, which spawned the singles "Gladly" and "Good N...
. The album was officially released on April 1, 2008, in United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Recording
During Smith's 2007 tour, Sy Smith recorded new material for her third studio album. With the release of a buzz single "Reach Down In Your Soul" and a music video to follow its release, the album was announced. The song "Would All The People From Compton Please Leave?" was a cover version of soulSoul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer Minnie Riperton
Minnie Riperton
Minnie Julia Riperton was an American singer-songwriter best known for her 1975 single "Lovin' You". She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph from 1972 until her death in the summer of 1979. They had two children - music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya...
's "Baby, This Love I Have". According to Sy Smith, the song "Spies" is about:
Singles
In mid-2007, Smith released a buzz single "Ain't Nobody's Bizness". In late 2007, Smith released another buzz single "Reach Down In Your Soul", which featured Wes Felton. Smith also released a music video for the song. In April 2008, Smith released her third studio album, ConflictConflict (album)
Conflict is the third studio album by American R&B/soul singer, Sy Smith. The album was officially released on April 1, 2008, in United States.-Recording:...
, with "Fly Away With Me
Fly Away With Me
"Fly Away With Me" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Sy Smith. It was written by Sy Smith and Kay of the Foundation, and produced by Ty Macklin for Smith's third solo album, Conflict.-Overview:...
" as the lead single. The song "Fly Away With Me
Fly Away With Me
"Fly Away With Me" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Sy Smith. It was written by Sy Smith and Kay of the Foundation, and produced by Ty Macklin for Smith's third solo album, Conflict.-Overview:...
" charted at #38 on the Top 40 Hot Adult R&B Chart. The music video aired on BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
's "Centric Hits" and "Soul Sessions". In September 2008, Smith and her band Deeznuts performed at Temple Bar's Farewell Show. Smith performed a seven track set-list. She also released the title-track "Conflict" as the second single and the music video premiered at Temple Bar.
In February 2009, Smith released the third single "Spies", and the music video aired on Logo Network
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
. The music video also features the cast of TV-series Noah's Arc. In August 2009, Smith released the fourth single "B-Side Love Affair" and the music video aired on YouTube. In 2010, she appeared on Fox DC to promote her fifth single "The Art of You".
Commercial Success
In late-2008, Smith's album ConflictConflict (album)
Conflict is the third studio album by American R&B/soul singer, Sy Smith. The album was officially released on April 1, 2008, in United States.-Recording:...
received a "Album of the Year" nomination from Soultracks. The album has sold over 50,000 copies in United States.
Critical response
The album Conflict received a positive review from Billboards. According to a writer of Billboards who says, "Like its predecessors, "Conflict" finds Smith skillfully fusing R&B/soul and jazz into spacey concoctions accented by tempo shifts and insightful metaphors. Gliding over, under and around the tracks are Smith's captivatingly sly, sultry vocals." From JazzandSoul.eu, "Sy Smith, as mentioned, masters in presenting all different tastes of music and tempos. Ain't nobody's Bizness as a perfect crossover between old school and nu school soul, funky and mysterious in Reach down in your Soul. On B - side love Affair, soul romanticism even flirts with drum 'n bass in this unusual but splendid cut. The fantastic aspect on Conflict is that this album doesn't contain any 'ueseless' filling. All compositions are of an enormous high level, brought by a singer with a tremendous voice, an eye for original words and unique creativity. If you get a chance to get your hands on a copy of Conflict, certainly do so. A highly recommended CD.".Howard Dukes of Soultracks.com stated, " 'This is crazy/This is sane, Can they be one in the same?/This is legal/It's a crime/This is gonna do hard time/This is funny/This is sad/This is making me feel bad.' This is what songwriting is supposed to achieve - employing a totally funky beat to issue a thoroughly provocative message. It would be tough to make an album filled with songs that maintain that level of quality and intensity while staying true to the groove, but Smith comes awfully close. There is no filler on Conflict. In fact, Smith uses the rest of the album to display the type of diversity in tempo and topics that soul fans expect from those who operate at the top of the game."
Norman Mayers of Nu-Soul Magazine said, "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."
Tour
In 2008, Smith began her touring along with her band "Deeznuts" at local venues and events like Temple BarTemple Bar
Temple Bar may refer to:* The Temple Bar, a spot in London* Temple Bar, Dublin, a cultural quarter in Dublin city* Temple Bar, Ceredigion, a village in Wales* Temple Bar Magazine, British literary magazine published 1860 to 1906...
, The Mint, I Got Soul Conference 2008, and Jazzy Summer's Nights. In June 2009, Smith toured along with Yahzarah
YahZarah
Dana Nicole Williams is an American singer. She is commonly known by her stage name, Yahzarah or Purple St. James.Yahzarah rose to fame when she became a back-up singer for Erykah Badu in 2000. In 2001, Yahzarah signed to Keo Music Records released her first album, Hear Me...
, Conya Doss
Conya Doss
Conya Doss is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter and record producer. In 2001, Conya Doss started her own recording label Conya Doss Songs and began recording her first album. In 2002, Doss released her first singles "Good Good" and "Coffee" which were followed by the release of her album,...
, and Maya Azucena
Maya Azucena
Maya Azucena is an American singer-songwriter and cultural ambassador from Brooklyn, NY. She attended the LaGuardia School of Performing Arts. She independently released her debut CD "Maya Who?!" at shows and from her website.-Solo Work:...
during the Soulsista Tour. The tour's last show ended on June 28, 2009. In July 2009, Smith toured along with Yahzarah
YahZarah
Dana Nicole Williams is an American singer. She is commonly known by her stage name, Yahzarah or Purple St. James.Yahzarah rose to fame when she became a back-up singer for Erykah Badu in 2000. In 2001, Yahzarah signed to Keo Music Records released her first album, Hear Me...
, Conya Doss
Conya Doss
Conya Doss is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter and record producer. In 2001, Conya Doss started her own recording label Conya Doss Songs and began recording her first album. In 2002, Doss released her first singles "Good Good" and "Coffee" which were followed by the release of her album,...
, and Ra-Re Valverde on the Soul Uprising Tour. In August 2009, Smith resumed her own tour, which ended in December 2009.
Track listing
- Conflict (This is Your Brain on Drugs)
- Fly Away With MeFly Away With Me"Fly Away With Me" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Sy Smith. It was written by Sy Smith and Kay of the Foundation, and produced by Ty Macklin for Smith's third solo album, Conflict.-Overview:...
- The Things I Do
- Overthought (featuring Bilal Salaam)
- The Art of You
- Spies
- Ain't Nobody's Bizness
- Reach Down In Your Soul (featuring Wes Felton)
- B-Side Love Affair
- Would All The People From Compton Please Leave? (Minnie Reprise)
- Star
Personnel
- Sy Smith - Synthesizer, Musician, Lead, Synthesizer Bass, Vocal Arrangement, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background), Keyboards
- Kat Dyson - Guitar
- Wes Felton - Vocals
- Bilal Salaam - Vocals, Vocal Arrangement
- Ty Macklin - Producer, Musician
- Kevin Randolph - Keyboards
- Tyler Coomes - Drums
- Deidre King - Keyboards, Drum Programming, Musician, Producer
- Tim Bailey - Bass
- Kelo Saunders - Drums, Producer, Drum Programming
- Annya Bell - Keyboards, Producer
- Caleb Speir - Bass
- Ruslan SirotaRuslan SirotaRuslan Sirota is a Grammy Award winning pianist, keyboardist, composer and producer.-Biography:Ruslan was born in Uman, Ukraine to a Jewish family on November 4, 1980. His father, Yefim, who was an active local guitarist, had introduced him to music at an early age...
- Keyboards - Keith Crouch - Vocals (Background)
- Darien Davis - Photography
- Eric Ferrell - Make-Up
- Eric Hollis - Wardrobe