Sophisti-pop | |
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Stylistic origins | |
Cultural origins | Mid-1980s, United Kingdom |
Typical instruments |
Sophisti-pop is a pop music subgenre that developed during the mid-1980s out of the British new wave era. [1] It originated with acts who blended elements of jazz, soul, and pop with lavish production. [2] [3] The term "sophisti-pop" was coined only after the genre's peak in the mid-late 1980s. [4]
Sophisti-pop is characterized by its extensive use of electronic keyboards, synthesizers and polished arrangements. [2] Artists also utilized cutting-edge studio technology and perfectionist recording methods. [5] The genre has been described as mellow, romantic, and atmospheric, [5] with artists often adopting a sharp, well-dressed and well-groomed visual presentation.
Stylus Magazine suggested that acts had been influenced by the work of Roxy Music (such as 1982's Avalon, often cited as the first sophisti-pop album [5]) and Bryan Ferry's Bête Noire (1987) and Boys and Girls (1985). [6]
Sweetwater named major artists in the genre as including the Blue Nile, Prefab Sprout, the Style Council, Scritti Politti, Everything but the Girl, and Danny Wilson. [5] AllMusic added Simply Red, Sade, Basia, and Swing Out Sister. [2] Writer Iain Munn added to the list Level 42, the Blow Monkeys, and Joe Jackson's 1984 album Body and Soul. [7]
It's popularity declined in the 1990's along with other synth-pop sub-genres. [1]
'Sophisti-pop' (Inskeep and Soto 2007) is a term now used, retrospectively, to describe a collection of 'intelligent', lavishly produced British pop acts of the mid–late 1980s.[ dead link]