Smile by Laura Nyro (CD, 1976)

Music On CD

8718627221266

18050171270

Laura Nyro

CD

1976

Smile

Rock

Although Laura Nyro's fame rests on her late '60s covers and the early '70s "New York Trilogy" (ELI AND THE 13TH CONFESSION, CHRISTMAS AND THE BEADS OF SWEAT and NEW YORK TENDABERRY), 1978's SMILE is among her finest works. These eight lengthy songs are Nyro's loosest and most jazz-oriented, with the convoluted, dense feeling of those earlier albums opened up into a more relaxed and swinging vibe. Contributions by jazz legends like the Brecker brothers and vibraphonist David Friedman give the album the glossy-smooth feel of a fusion record, but Nyro's earthy melodies and gospel-influenced singing keep the album weighted. There's a full-throated sexiness to this album which was largely relegated to the background on Nyro's earlier albums, with "Sexy Mama" and the slinky "Midnight Blue" the most openly erotic songs of her career. Possibly her last great record, SMILE is an underappreciated find.

1