Smooth Jazz

Smooth jazz emerged in the late 1970s, primarily in the United States, when someone decided that jazz could do with a bit less soul and a bit more saxophone solos; ideal for livening up waiting rooms and half-hearted dinner parties. This genre is characterised by laid-back melodies, gentle grooves, and an uncanny ability to make you feel like you should be sipping a cocktail whilst lounging about in a pastel-coloured blazer. Unsurprisingly, it's often the soundtrack to Sunday brunches and elevator rides, proving that good taste sometimes means simply avoiding any startling surprises.