LAURA NYRO - Smile (1976-2008) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After a five-year hiatus, singer/songwriter Laura Nyro returned in 1976 with Smile. On this disc, Nyro's somewhat idiosyncratic writing and performance style is decidedly subdued. In its stead is a light pop and jazz feel similar to that of Maria Muldaur's mid-'70s recordings. Supporting Nyro instrumentally is virtually a who's-who of New York and Los Angeles studio stalwarts. While the prowess of folks like Will Lee (bass), brothers Randy Brecker (trumpet) and Michael Brecker (flute/sax), Hugh McCracken (guitar), and Rick Marotta (drums) certainly strengthens Nyro's already laid-back material, it likewise reduces her to sounding like a Joni Mitchell ripoff. The undeniable highlight of Smile is the maturity in the songwriting. It becomes obvious that the half-decade away has done some significant good in revealing a decidedly positive evolution in Nyro's approach to her own life. What's more is that the material on this album seems to come from a place of contentment. The influence of her work with the female soul vocal trio LaBelle on Gonna Take a Miracle -- prior to her mini-retirement -- also seems to be a source of inspiration throughout this disc. The high and tight vocal harmonies (all of which are credited to Nyro) are wholly rewarding and hark back to her R&B-induced "Wedding Bell Blues" and "Stoned Soul Picnic." This is most evident on the opening track, "Sexy Mama" (penned by Harry Ray, Joe Robinson, and Al Goodman), which was also a hit for the R&B vocal group the Moments. The intimate nature of "I Am the Blues" and "Midnite Blue" are reminiscent of older Nyro favorites such as "Emmie" and "Captain St. Lucifer." In all, Smile is much like a musical letter from an old acquaintance and casts a direct light onto the next phase in Laura Nyro's recording career. Lindsay Planer  
Tracklist :
1    Sexy Mama 2:42
Bass – Will Lee
Drums – Chris Parker
Guitar – John Tropea
Saxophone – Joe Farrell
Triangle – Paul Messing
Written-By – A. Goodman, H. Ray, S. Robinson
2    Children Of The Junks
Bass – Richard Davis
Drums – Chris Parker
Guitar – Huey McCracken
3    Money 4:59
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Alan Schwartzberg
Guitar – Jeff Mironov, Jerry Friedman, John Tropea
Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Tambourine, Wood Block – Jimmy Maeullen
Vibraphone [Vibes] – David Friedman
4    I Am The Blues 5:45
Bass – Richard Davis
Drums – Alan Schwartzberg
Guitar – Joe Beck, John Tropea
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
Vibraphone [Vibes] – David Friedman
5    Stormy Love 4:30
Bass – Bob Babbit
Congas – Nydia Mata
Drums – Alan Schwartzberg
Flute – George Young
Guitar – Jeff Mironov, Jerry Freedman, John Tropea
6    The Cat-Song
Bass – Will Lee
Drums – Chris Parker
Flute, Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Guitar – John Tropea
Shaker – Rubin Bassine
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
7    Midnite Blue 3:07
Bass – Will Lee
Congas – Carter CC Collins
Drums – Chris Parker
Guitar – Greg Bennett, John Tropea
8    Smile 5:36
Bass – Richard Davis
Congas – Carter CC Collins
Drums – Rick Maratta
Flute, Saxophone – George Young
Guitar – Jeff Mironov, John Tropea
Koto – Nisako Yoshida, Reiko Kamota
Vibraphone [Vibes] – David Friedman
- BONUS TRACKS -
9    Someone Loves You    1:58
10    Get Me My Cap    2:54
11    Coffee Morning    3:48