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Turn Back the Clock

by Johnny Hates Jazz

Released: January 11, 1988

Sophisti-pop, synth-pop

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Genre Shift.

The Album

"Turn Back the Clock" is the debut studio album by the British pop and synth-pop band Johnny Hates Jazz. The band themselves, Johnny Hates Jazz, was originally formed in 1985 by Clark Datchler (songwriter, vocalist, keyboards), Calvin Hayes (keyboards, drums) and Mike Nocito (bass guitar). Their name, according to band lore, is in reference to a friend of the band who really did not like jazz.

Inside the Recording

The album was produced by Calvin Hayes and Mike Nocito, both members of the band, in collaboration with several noted musicians.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The group is often recognized as an essential…

The group is often recognized as an essential part of the sophisti-pop genre, which uniquely blends elements of jazz, pop, and soul.

Despite the changes and challenges, the band has…

Despite the changes and challenges, the band has continued to produce music, with their latest releases still retaining their signature sound.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Johnny Hates Jazz - Turn Back the Clock

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Then

Reception

While the album was critically and commercially successful, Johnny Hates Jazz went through a variety of ups-and-downs in the following years, primarily stemming from Datchler’s departure from the band in 1989. It was released in the United Kingdom in January 1988, and topped the UK Albums Chart while reaching the top 10 in other European markets such as the Netherlands and Sweden. The album features multiple successful singles, including "Shattered Dreams," "Heart of Gold," and "I Don't Want to be a Hero." "Turn Back the Clock" is strongly tied to the 1980’s pop and synth-pop scene and is remembered for its sophisticated production and reflective lyrics.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Turn Back the Clock" is the debut studio album by the British pop and synth-pop band Johnny Hates Jazz. It was released in the United Kingdom in January 1988, and topped the UK Albums Chart while reaching the top 10 in other European markets such as the Netherlands and Sweden. The album features multiple successful singles, including "Shattered Dreams," "Heart of Gold," and "I Don't Want to be a Hero."

"Turn Back the Clock" is strongly tied to the 1980’s pop and synth-pop scene and is remembered for its sophisticated production and reflective lyrics. The album was produced by Calvin Hayes and Mike Nocito, both members of the band, in collaboration with several noted musicians.

The band themselves, Johnny Hates Jazz, was originally formed in 1985 by Clark Datchler (songwriter, vocalist, keyboards), Calvin Hayes (keyboards, drums) and Mike Nocito (bass guitar). Their name, according to band lore, is in reference to a friend of the band who really did not like jazz. The group is often recognized as an essential part of the sophisti-pop genre, which uniquely blends elements of jazz, pop, and soul.

While the album was critically and commercially successful, Johnny Hates Jazz went through a variety of ups-and-downs in the following years, primarily stemming from Datchler’s departure from the band in 1989. Despite the changes and challenges, the band has continued to produce music, with their latest releases still retaining their signature sound.