Quiet Storm

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Quiet storm is a style of rhythm and blues/soul music that was inspired by Smokey Robinson's 1975 solo debut album of the same name, as well as the album's title track. Initially targeted primarily at a black audience, quiet storm music is distinguished by understated dynamics, relaxed tempos and rhythms, and romantic sentiment. Quiet storm music is similar to soft rock and adult contemporary styles; in fact, it was seen as R&B's answer to the two. Quiet storm was, however, unmistakably rooted in R&B, and at its best the style featured an urbane sophistication and subdued soulfulness.

Though Robinson's album lent the style its name, inspirations and prototypes for the style were also drawn from Marvin Gaye's lush LP, Let's Get It On, the orchestrations of Philadelphia Soul, and the ultra-smooth recordings of Al Green. Quiet storm was most popular from the mid-'70's to the early 90's, when mainstream r&b began taking on a much harder and more hip hop influence, image and approach.