Quiet storm  

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Quiet storm is a late-night radio format, featuring soulful slow jams, pioneered in the mid-1970s by then-station-intern Melvin Lindsey at WHUR-FM, in Washington, D.C. Smokey Robinson's like-titled hit single, released in 1975 as the title track to his third solo album, lent its name to the format and to the radio program that introduced it to the public. Encompassing a mix of African American music genres, quiet storm music is distinguished by understated, mellow dynamics and relaxed tempos and rhythms. It can be soothingly pensive, or express romantic sentiment. Quiet storm music is similar to soft rock and adult contemporary styles, but it is more closely and unmistakably rooted in R&B and soul music, often with jazz extensions. At its best, the style features an urban sophistication and subdued soulfulness.

Today, quiet storm is a broad term given to an array of mellow, slow-groove contemporary R&B, soul and smooth jazz offerings of the type featured on Melvin Lindsey's WHUR program, and on myriad other stations that followed his lead -- most notably KBLX-FM in San Francisco, which in 1979 became the first radio station in the U.S. to present a 24-hour quiet storm format.

History

Origins

Melvin Lindsey first deejayed for WHUR in 1976 as a stand-in for an employee who failed to report for work because of violent storm that caused power outages and knocked some area radio stations off the air. The response from listeners was positive, and Lindsey stayed on. Founder of Radio One Cathy Hughes, then WHUR station manager, heard of the show's positive reception and responded by giving Lindsey his own show.

After a time, the strains of "A Quiet Storm," Robinson's popular recording, became Lindsey's theme music and introduced his time slot every night thereafter. For many, when Robinson's trademark tenor voice wafted out over the airwaves, it signalled a welcome end to the stresses of the workday. "The Quiet Storm" was four hours of melodically soulful music that provided an intimate, laid-back mood tailor-made for late-night listening, and that was the key to its tremendous appeal among adult audiences. The format was an immediate success, becoming so popular that within a few years, virtually every station in the U.S. with a core black, urban listenership adopted a similar format for its graveyard slot. Melvin Lindsey died of AIDS in 1992, but the "Quiet Storm" format he originated remains a staple in radio programming today, almost 30 years after its inception.

Influence

Quiet storm programming is credited with launching the careers of Luther Vandross and Anita Baker, and with introducing Sade to U.S. audiences. Classic quiet storm recordings include Frankie Beverly and Maze's "Golden Time of Day," Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On, the orchestrations of Philadelphia soul, the recordings of Al Green, Barry White, and Bill Withers, much of jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery's work during his CTI (Creed Taylor, Incorporated) years, and the work of jazz-funk saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr.. A little later, in 1986, Peabo Bryson released an album entitled Quiet Storm. Quiet storm was most popular as a programming niche with baby boomers from the mid-'70s to the early '90s, after which time much of mainstream R&B took on a harder, hip-hop influenced approach.

WHUR radio still has a "Quiet Storm" show; and many urban, black radio stations still reserve their late-night programming slots for quiet storm music, as well. Now included in the genre is music with a hip-hop infusion, known as neo soul. Neo soul artists today include Raphael Saadiq, John Legend, Brian McKnight, Joe, Jaheim, D'Angelo, Maxwell, Mary J. Blige, India.Arie, Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Alicia Keys. Quiet storm music is also the more mellow, soulful side of smooth and contemporary jazz.

At least one non-commercial FM station, the community-based WGDR in Plainfield, Vermont, broadcasts a weekly, two-hour "Quiet Storm" program -- a 50-50 mix of smooth jazz and soft R&B presented in "Triple-A" (Album Adult Alternative) style, with a strong emphasis on "B" and "C" album tracks that most commercial stations often ignore. Launched in 1998 and hosted by Skeeter Sanders, WGDR's "Quiet Storm" is one of the station's most popular music programs (based on a 2007 listenership survey) and is the only program of its kind on the air in northern New England.

(WHUR owns the rights to the name "Quiet Storm," and any broadcaster using the term for its programming must pay WHUR a royalty fee.)

The mellow, laid-back nature of the format has been parodied, most notably by Tim Meadows on "Saturday Night Live," in which he played a "Quiet Storm" DJ who would react to life-shattering news, such as being fired, having his wife confess to adultery, and even his own murder, with his soothing voice unaltered. Back in the 1990s, Canadian adult contemporary station CFQR-FM in Montreal aired a Quiet Storm program featuring new age music. Most recently, in 2007, Premiere Radio Networks launched a nationally syndicated nightly radio program based upon the Quiet Storm format, known as The Keith Sweat Hotel.

Songs

"Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” (1971) The Temptations “Let's Stay Together” (1971) Al Green “Ain't Understanding Mellow” (1971) Jerry Butler “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right” (1972) Luther Ingram “Me and Mrs. Jones” (1972) Billy Paul “I've Got So Much to Give” (1973) Barry White “Sexy Mama” (1973) The Moments “Natural High” (1973) Bloodstone “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (1973) Roberta Flack “Let's Get It On” (1973) Marvin Gaye “Distant Lover” (1973) Marvin Gaye “Come Get to This” (1973) Marvin Gaye “Time Will Tell” (1974) Tower of Power “Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” (1974) Barry White “Feel Like Makin' Love” (1974) Roberta Flack “You Make Me Feel Brand New” (1974) The Stylistics “Walking in Rhythm” (1975) The Blackbyrds “Hope That We Can Be Together Soon” (1975) Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes “Misty Blue” (1975) Dorothy Moore “I Can't Say No” (1975) Natalie Cole “Inseparable” (1975) Natalie Cole “For the Love of You” (1975) The Isley Brothers “Quiet Storm” (1975) Smokey Robinson “After the Dance” (1976) Marvin Gaye “Sweet Love” (1976) Commodores “You Are My Starship” (1976) Norman Connors “This Masquerade” (1976) George Benson “Love Ballad” (1976) L.T.D. “Footsteps in the Dark” (1977) The Isley Brothers “Messin' with My Mind” (1977) The Gap Band “Lovely Day” (1977) Bill Withers “Peaceful Living” (1977) Natalie Cole “I Don't Want to Lose You” (1977) Phyllis Hyman “Always and Forever” (1977) Heatwave “La Costa” (1977) Natalie Cole “Close the Door” (1978) Teddy Pendergrass “Use ta Be My Girl” (1978) The O'Jays “This Time I'll Be Sweeter” (1978) Angela Bofill “The Closer I Get to You” (1978) Roberta Flack “I'm So into You” (1978) Peabo Bryson “At Last I Am Free” (1978) Chic “Wishing on a Star” (1978) Rose Royce “Déjà Vu (I've Been Here Before)” (1978) Teena Marie “The Answer Is You” (1978) Phyllis Hyman “Gonna Make Changes” (1978) Phyllis Hyman “Oh Honey” (1978) Delegation “Is It Still Good to Ya” (1978) Ashford & Simpson “I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning” (1978) Quincy Jones “What You Won't Do for Love” (1978) Bobby Caldwell “Rise” (1979) Herb Alpert “Feel the Fire” (1979) Stephanie Mills “Reunited” (1979) Peaches & Herb “No Hiding Place” (1979) The Gap Band “Between You Baby & Me” (1979) Curtis Mayfield “What You Won't Do for Love” (1979) Natalie Cole “Still” (1979) Commodores “I Can't Help It” (1979) Michael Jackson “I Try” (1979) Angela Bofill “Cruisin'” (1979) Smokey Robinson “Too Hot” (1980) Kool & the Gang “Being With You” (1981) Smokey Robinson “We're in This Love Together” (1981) Al Jarreau “Two Hearts” (1981) Stephanie Mills “Golden Touch” (1981) Rose Royce “Turn Your Love Around” (1981) George Benson “Endless Love” (1981) Diana Ross “A House Is Not a Home” (1981) Luther Vandross “Just the Two of Us” (1981) Grover Washington Jr. “Yearning for Your Love” (1981) The Gap Band “Nothin' Comes to Sleepers” (1981) The Gap Band “Just Once” (1981) Quincy Jones “Fire and Desire” (1981) Rick James “Baby, Come to Me” (1982) Patti Austin “Sexual Healing” (1982) Marvin Gaye “A Penny for Your Thoughts” (1982) Tavares “Remind Me” (1982) Patrice Rushen “Ribbon in the Sky” (1982) Stevie Wonder “If This World Were Mine” (1982) Cheryl Lynn “The Best Is Yet to Come” (1982) Grover Washington Jr. “I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)” (1982) Michael McDonald “All This Love” (1982) DeBarge “Tonight I Give In” (1983) Angela Bofill “Mornin'” (1983) Al Jarreau “'Til Tomorrow” (1983) Marvin Gaye “Between the Sheets” (1983) The Isley Brothers “Choosey Lover” (1983) The Isley Brothers “Human Nature” (1983) Michael Jackson “Baby Be Mine” (1983) Michael Jackson “The Lady in My Life” (1983) Michael Jackson “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” (1983) Peabo Bryson “So Amazing” (1983) Dionne Warwick “How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye” (1983) Dionne Warwick “Moments in Love” (1983) Art of Noise “Hello” (1984) Lionel Richie “Love Light in Flight” (1984) Stevie Wonder “Hang On to Your Love” (1984) Sade “Smooth Operator” (1985) Sade “Your Love Is King” (1985) Sade “Suddenly” (1985) Billy Ocean “Through the Fire” (1985) Chaka Khan “Creepin'” (1985) Luther Vandross “Saving All My Love for You” (1985) Whitney Houston “Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)” (1985) Loose Ends “Tender Love” (1985) Force MDs “Overjoyed” (1985) Stevie Wonder “What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)” (1986) Kenny G “I Know We'll Make It” (1986) The Gap Band “Do You Get Enough Love” (1986) Shirley Jones “You Don't Have to Cry” (1986) René & Angela “Sweet Love” (1986) Anita Baker “Caught Up in the Rapture” (1986) Anita Baker “Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year)” (1987) Anita Baker “No One in the World” (1987) Anita Baker “Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)” (1987) Janet Jackson “Without You” (1987) Peabo Bryson “Love Changes” (1987) Kashif “Giving You the Best That I Got” (1988) Anita Baker “Make It Last Forever” (1988) Keith Sweat “Just Because” (1988) Anita Baker “Lead Me into Love” (1988) Anita Baker “Piano in the Dark” (1988) Brenda Russell “Nite and Day” (1988) Al B. Sure! “Two Occasions” (1988) The Deele “Can You Stand the Rain” (1988) New Edition “Something in My Heart” (1989) Michel'le “I Don't Have the Heart” (1989) James Ingram “Here and Now” (1989) Luther Vandross “Knockin' on Heaven's Door” (1989) Randy Crawford “Silky Soul” (1989) Maze “Real Love” (1989) Skyy “I'll Be Good to You” (1990) Najee “Whip Appeal” (1990) Babyface “Vision of Love” (1990) Mariah Carey “All the Man That I Need” (1990) Whitney Houston “The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)” (1990) Quincy Jones “Love Me Down” (1990) Freddie Jackson “Love Takes Time” (1990) Mariah Carey “Do Me Again” (1991) Freddie Jackson “After the Dance” (1991) Fourplay “How Can I Ease the Pain” (1991) Lisa Fischer “Can You Stop the Rain” (1991) Peabo Bryson “It Should've Been You” (1991) Teddy Pendergrass “Power of Love/Love Power” (1991) Luther Vandross “Tender Kisses” (1991) Tracie Spencer “When You Get Right Down to It” (1991) Phyllis Hyman “End of the Road” (1992) Boyz II Men “I Will Always Love You” (1992) Whitney Houston “Love Shoulda Brought You Home” (1992) Toni Braxton “No Ordinary Love” (1992) Sade “Kiss of Life” (1993) Sade “Cherish the Day” (1993) Sade “Love Is” (1993) Vanessa Williams “Would You Believe in Me” (1993) Jon Lucien “Another Sad Love Song” (1993) Toni Braxton “Breathe Again” (1993) Toni Braxton “Seven Whole Days” (1993) Toni Braxton “Practice What You Preach” (1994) Barry White “Any Time, Any Place” (1994) Janet Jackson “I'll Make Love to You” (1994) Boyz II Men “Always and Forever” (1994) Luther Vandross “Soon as I Get Home” (1995) Faith Evans “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” (1995) Whitney Houston “Red Light Special” (1995) TLC “Nobody” (1996) Keith Sweat “Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)” (1996) Maxwell “Whenever Wherever Whatever” (1996) Maxwell “Un-Break My Heart” (1996) Toni Braxton “How Could an Angel Break My Heart” (1997) Toni Braxton “Let It Flow” (1997) Toni Braxton “I Love Me Some Him” (1997) Toni Braxton “I Don't Want To” (1997) Toni Braxton “Next Lifetime” (1997) Erykah Badu “Missing You” (1997) Mary J. Blige “This Woman's Work” (1997) Maxwell “Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This” (1997) Rachelle Ferrell “Visions” (1997) Walter Beasley “Nice & Slow” (1997) Usher “Angel of Mine” (1998) Monica “They Don't Know” (1998) Jon B. “Funny How Love Goes” (1998) Phyllis Hyman “The Kids” (1998) Phyllis Hyman “Beauty” (1998) Dru Hill “Sweet Lady” (1998) Tyrese “Ex-Factor” (1998) Lauryn Hill “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1999) Brandy “Happily Ever After” (1999) Case “Back at One” (1999) Brian McKnight “Brown Sugar” (1999) D'Angelo “I'm Only Human” (1999) Luther Vandross “I Wanna Know” (1999) Joe “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” (2000) D'Angelo “Send It On” (2000) D'Angelo “Where I Wanna Be” (2000) Donell Jones “As We Lay” (2000) Kelly Price “Lady Lay Your Body” (2000) Carl Thomas “Incomplete” (2000) Sisqó “Love” (2000) Musiq Soulchild “The Closer I Get to You” (2004) Beyoncé “The Closer I Get to You” (2004) Luther Vandross “Burn” (2004) Usher “Until the End of Time” (2007) Justin Timberlake “Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)” (2010) Alicia Keys “Climax” (2012) Usher “Fire We Make” (2013) Alicia Keys “No Sleeep” (2015) Janet Jackson

See also

• A Quiet Storm - the Smokey Robinson record where the song "Quiet Storm" appeared
• List of quiet storm songs