Sylvia Smith
Sylvia Smith (born February 19, in Woodstock, Tennessee) is an American soul and funk singer recognized for her powerful, "dedicated and sincere" vocal style. Often compared to Candi Staton and Millie Jackson, she is a songwriter and session vocalist who released a critically acclaimed solo album in the 1970s.
Smith first gained prominence as a member of the soul group The Glass House, alongside Ty Hunter, Scherrie Payne, and Larry Reed. Signed to Holland-Dozier-Holland’s Invictus label, the group is best known for the 1969 hit "Crumbs Off the Table" and tracks like "Thanks I Needed That".
In 1975, she released her only full-length solo album, Woman of the World, on ABC Records. Produced by Steve Barri and Michael Omartian, the album features soul and funk tracks such as "Original Midnight Mama" and "Superbad".
During the 1980s, she released dance-oriented singles on Quincy Jones’ Qwest Records, including "Don't Wanna Be a Sometime Lover" and "Heartbreaker".
Smith has contributed as a songwriter and session vocalist for several high-profile artists:- Little Richard: She co-wrote the song "Great Gosh A'Mighty"; The Four Tops: Provided backing vocals on their 1974 album Meeting of the Minds; Rose Royce: Co-wrote "You Blew It" for their 1982 album Stronger Than Ever; Billy Preston: Produced his 1986 Motown single "Since I Held You Close".
In her later years, Smith transitioned into writing and self-publishing. Using the name Sylvia J. Smith, she has authored books such as When Love Becomes a Nightmare and A Senior's Guide to Online Dating. She remains active on social media, sharing her poetry and music history with fans.
Woman Of The World
Written-By – Mark Creamer
3:50
A2 Did I Give Up Too Much Too Soon
Backing Vocals – Al Cleveland
Written-By – Cloteal Cleveland
3:10
A3 Don't Mistreat My Babies
Written-By – Jimmy Lewis
2:51
A4 Shape Your Arms Like A Cradle
Written-By – Cloteal Cleveland, Larry Maxwell, Tanga Smith
4:26
A5 Breakin' Up A Happy Home
Written-By – Dennis Lambert / Brian Potter
3:36
B1 Stop! I Don't Need No Sympathy
Written-By – C. Davis, S. Sanders
2:58
B2 Superbad
Written-By – Daniel Walsh, Michael Price
2:57
B3 I Don't Need No Man
Written-By – Jimmy Lewis
2:54
B4 Is This The Way Love's Supoosed To Be (A Good Feelin' For You And A Hurt For Me)
Written-By – Cloteal Cleveland, Tanga Smith
4:13
B5 Woman Of The World
Written-By – Jerry Fuller
2:51
Label: ABC Records – ABCD-876
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Released in 1975 on ABC Records, Woman of the World is the debut solo album by American soul singer Sylvia Smith. Highly regarded by collectors of 70s soul and funk, the album is noted for its high-quality production and Smith's powerful vocal performance.
Reviewers describe the album as an "unforgettable soul album" featuring amazing vocals and "solid soul-funk shouters". Smith’s style has been compared to artists like Candi Staton and Millie Jackson. The album maintains high scores on music community sites, typically averaging around 4.2 out of 5 stars based on user ratings.
The album was produced by Steve Barri and Michael Omartian, who later became legendary for his work with Whitney Houston and Steely Dan. It features a lineup of elite session musicians, including David Hungate and Wilton Felder on bass, and Ed Greene on drums.
The album was primarily available on vinyl LP and 8-track tape for decades. While fans have called for a CD reissue, digital versions began appearing on streaming services in 2024–2025, which listeners have praised for their improved clarity compared to older physical copies.
For many years, the album was considered a "forgotten soul gem" and a sought-after collector's item on vinyl. While rare, it has been noted for its high-quality vocal performances and its contribution to the 1970s funk-soul landscape. Following this release, Smith moved into production and released several dance singles on Quincy Jones' Qwest label in the late 1980s.