Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Sy Smith surprises fans
with a new release - a holiday mix aptly titled “Christmas In Syberspace”. As
the project title suggests, Sy delves back into her electro-futuristic-soul
roots with this endeavor; sonically reminding listeners of her underground
roots (think of her 2005 release “The Syberspace Social”). Clocking in at just
under 14 minutes, this ep is like a digital stocking stuffer - and Sy is giving
the ep away for free on Bandcamp (but listeners can also purchase it at iTunes,
Google Play, Amazon Music, and it’s available on all major streaming platforms
after November 25, 2018).
For the production of “Christmas In Syberspace”, Sy tapped
Nashville drummer/producer Isaac “Bam” Richardsonwhom she met… well… in
syberspace. “Isaac contacted me on
Facebook about a year ago and told me he was a big fan of my work. He said he
was a producer, just getting started and wanted to send me some tracks. I told
him, maybe kinda bluntly, that I really wasn’t looking for tracks at that time,
I was knee-deep into 'Sometimes A Rose Will Grow In Concrete' and to hit me up
next year. Well, he dropped me a message
again this year, about two months ago. So I listened to his ideas and REALLY
liked what I heard. I think after arranging and recording background vocals for
John Legend’s ‘A Legendary Christmas’ album, I was inspired too! So, I recorded
'Christmas Time Is Here' to Isaac’s track, and then asked him if he’d be
interested in doing a whole project with me!” Isaac and Sy tag-teamed this
mini-album via the internet (the two have never met in person) - agreeing on
songs, exchanging ideas and building on arrangements. “I really enjoyed working
with Isaac. He’s got such a wonderful ear for core elements. He really colors
with sound! This is his first R&B project, but I suspect that after hearing
this, some of my fellow artists are gonna want get his info from me!”
“Christmas In Syberspace” features three holiday favorites
dispersed with some creative interludes. After the “Hark! The Intro” sets the
subdued mood for this holiday set, Isaac’s children anxiously tell him what
gifts they hope to receive, then Sy’s familiar bell-tone soprano voice gently
asserts Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here”. She capitalizes on this
popular melody by staying true to it, but then Sy adds a soulful refrain
encouraging listeners to take the spirit of the holiday with them all year
long. After another sweet interlude, Sy boldly takes on “The Sound Of Music”
classic “My Favorite Things”by reworking the lyrics to truly reflect on HER
favorite things:
“Shoes with fat laces and oversized glasses
Watching my people rise up from the ashes
Sharing a smile with that guy on the train
These are a few of my favorite things…”
After another interlude reworks a popular holiday carol (all
the interludes do this), this ep closes with a foot-stomping “Little Drummer
Boy” which Sy arranged and co-produced, reminding us that she does this pretty
well too (she wrote/produced her entire latest lp “Sometimes A Rose Will Grow
In Concrete” to rave reviews and 3 SoulTracks nominations). Isaac Richardson
shows off his strong and steady, pocket (his church roots coming through loud
and clear) with the head-snapping live drums, and Virginian trumpet player
Duane Smith (of Hampton’s The Fuzz Band) provides a tasty horn arrangement.
Sy will be touring for the rest of the year with
Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti as a featured guest (as seen recently on
his critically-acclaimed PBS special “Great Performances). Her tour dates with
him include upcoming shows in Toronto, Boston and New York at the Blue Note for
14 nights. Sy will resume her solo dates in 2019 as a featured artist on the
(already long sold out) Capital Jazz Supercruise!
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