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Music Monday: The Quiet Storm

by Scott Lydon


Happy Music Monday! Today Scott's taking a look at a format mostly saved for late night radio slots, the "quiet storm." If you know it, you love it. If you don't know it, you probably still have heard it without knowing what it was. Either way, you're going to be happy with today's smooth Music Monday. Also you should be reading this in a low tone. Think Barry White's voice.

The Art Of Noise - Moments In Love

 

Nobody would expect a little group of knob-twiddling producers to make a song that wound up being a soulful classic, but the Art Of Noise's instrumental has long been the official bed music for "quiet storm" DJs when they talk about the weather and what songs are coming up next. Also here's a tip: remember you just read that and keep it locked away, because sooner or later someone will say "what's that song?" and you'll look like a genius when you know the answer. I've done it more than once and it always blows minds.

More quiet storm coming up. Get ready. Aw yeah.

Terence Trent D'Arby - Sign Your Name

 

Mr. Darby actually has a new persona, and kinda looks on his past life as though TTD was a rock legend who passed away. It's understandable, he's an artist, and an artist has the right to move on if he chooses. But this single is still lovely and of it's time, and it fits in just perfectly in a quiet storm set.

Jessie Ware - Running

 

Jessie Ware's hit isn't so old, but it instantly fit into a pantheon of style. Her other stuff is a little bit different, but this smooth and soulful song could have been recorded at any time between now and 1985. It's kind of impressive how she just nails it, isn't it?

Jhene Aiko - The Pressure (lightly nsfw if your boss is cruel)

 

I had a chance to see Jhene Aiko live last summer and, although she didn't do this song, it was still fantastic. I recommend her album (and live show) to all. It's good stuff!

Sade - No Ordinary Love

 

Anybody hates on Sade in my presence I'll come to your house and draw frowny faces on your sidewalk with chalk. And not the cheap chalk. I'm talking about the serious chalk. The NEON COLORED chalk. Sade's "Love Deluxe" is, in my opinion, one of the few perfect albums that have ever existed. If you dislike her and her band YOU'RE JUST PLAIN WRONG.

Let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week.