One of the best early soul albums by Roy Ayers! Roy's working here with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Edwin Birdsong, William Allen, Harry Whitaker, and other hip players - a perfect crew to forge Roy's unique blend of jazz and soul. This is perhaps the first record to really have Roy stretching out in this mode - moving more fully away from funky jazz, into a ream of vocal tracks that would make him one of the most unique artists of the 70s. This mid 70s period of Roy's career was remarkably fertile, creatively as well as for sheer productivity - and Tears To A Smile is one of them that shows some the most artistic growth, and also a deeper sense of soul! Features righteous cuts like "2000 Black", "Ebony Blaze", "Time & Space", and "A Tear To A Smile" - plus the mellow "Magic Lady", and a great remake of Earth Wind & Fire's "That's The Way Of The World".A1 2000 Black Arranged By - Carl Clay, Wayne GarfieldLead Vocals - Roy Ayers, Wayne Garfield 5:25 A2 Magic Lady Lead Vocals - Roy Ayers 3:17 A3 Show Us A Feeling Lead Vocals - Debbie Darby, Roy Ayers 3:05 A4 Ebony Blaze 3:57 A5 Time And Space Lead Vocals - Dee Dee Bridgewater 4:06 B1 No Question Lead Vocals - Edwin Birdsong, Roy Ayers 4:29 B2 The Way Of The World 3:30 B3 The Old One Two (Move To Groove) Lead Vocals - Edwin Birdsong, Roy Ayers 4:31 B4 Miles (Love's Silent Dawn) 2:28 B5 A Tear To A Smile 5:18
