Yazz& The Plastic Population: Pioneers of British Acid Jazz

Yazz& The Plastic Population were a defining force in the UK's acid jazz and dance scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Fronted by singer Yasmin Evans, known as Yazz, the London-based group achieved massive commercial success with their infectious blend of soulful vocals, jazz instrumentation, and house rhythms.

Early career

Yazz, born Yasmin Evans in 1960, began her career in fashion before transitioning to music, singing backing vocals for groups like The Pogues. The Plastic Population formed around her, comprising skilled musicians from London's vibrant club and jazz-funk circuits. Their first major label involvement came with the independent Cooltempo Records, a subsidiary of Chrysalis, which released their debut single in 1987.

Breakthrough

The group's breakthrough arrived spectacularly in 1988 with the single "The Only Way Is Up". A cover of an Otis Clay soul track, their version transformed it into a euphoric piano-house anthem. Released on Cooltempo, the song spent five weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart and was certified Platinum for sales exceeding 600,000 copies, becoming the definitive summer hit of that year.

Key tracks

The Only Way Is Up — This chart-topping Platinum single catapulted Yazz& The Plastic Population to mainstream fame and remains a staple of 80s dance compilations.

Stand Up For Your Love Rights — The follow-up single, which peaked at number two in the UK, solidified their hit-making status with its positive, uplifting message.

Fine Time — A top 20 UK hit from their debut album, this track showcased the band's ability to craft sophisticated, jazz-inflected pop.

Where Has All the Love Gone — A later single that demonstrated the group's evolution towards a smoother, more soulful sound in the early 1990s.

The success of "The Only Way Is Up" drove their debut album, "Wanted", which reached number three on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold. The group maintained a strong chart presence with subsequent singles and released a second album, "Born to Be Free", in 1990, though it did not match the commercial heights of their debut. Yazz also collaborated with notable producers like Coldcut and appeared on the charity single "Ferry 'Cross the Mersey" in 1989.

Fans of Yazz& The Plastic Population and the UK acid jazz sound should also explore Brand New Heavies. This group similarly fused live funk and soul with a contemporary dancefloor sensibility. The sophisticated jazz-pop of Lisa Stansfield also shares a soulful vocal approach and chart success from the same era. For the more electronic side of the scene, listen to Jamiroquai, who carried the acid jazz flame into the 1990s with massive global success. The dance-oriented pop of M People offers another parallel with its powerful vocals and house-influenced anthems.

RADIO ROTATION: The music of Yazz& The Plastic Population maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on stations specializing in classic 80s hits, retro dance anthems, and specialist soul and jazz-funk shows. Their timeless tracks are regularly featured in the playlists of national FM stations and dedicated online radio streams celebrating the golden era of British dance music.

You can hear the iconic sounds of Yazz& The Plastic Population on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to our curated selection of classic dance and retro stations to rediscover their major hits and the vibrant UK acid jazz genre they helped popularize.