Conflict (album)

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 soul singer Minnie Riperton's "Baby, This Love I Have". According to Sy Smith, the song "Spies" is about:

Wanting to be a fly on the wall, spy on people when they're talking crap about me, cause I know they do

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, Conflict, 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".

Commercial success

In late 2008, Conflict received an "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 Billboard magazine. According to a writer of Billboard 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 Bar, The Mint, I Got Soul Conference 2008, and Jazzy Summer 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 also performed along with Yahzarah, Conya Doss, and Ra-Re Valverde at the Soul Uprising Show at B.B. Kings in New York. In August 2009, Smith resumed her own tour, which ended in December 2009.

Track listing

1. Conflict (This is Your Brain on Drugs)
2. Fly Away With Me
3. The Things I Do
4. Overthought (featuring Bilal Salaam)
5. The Art of You
6. Spies
7. Ain't Nobody's Bizness
8. Reach Down In Your Soul (featuring Wes Felton)
9. B-Side Love Affair
10. Would All The People From Compton Please Leave? (Minnie Reprise)
11. Star

Personnel