Scritti Politti

Despite their sporadic output, Green Gartside's Scritti Politti have always maintained a hardwire to the musical avant-garde and brought it into the pop spotlight. Just as they reveal the popular side of underground sounds, they mix the most lush love songs ("The Sweetest Girl") with a playful approach to politics ("Jacques Derrida"). Gartside's unmistakably sweet, breathy gasp floats in the upper register like a hummingbird. Scritti Politti began as a Post-Punk band that was infectiously danceable and grew to embrace a subtler, more soulful sound. Pairing fun instrumental arrangements and complex dance beats has brought them a series of hits spanning decades. Lately, they have turned their music toward more urban sounds, mixing hip-hop approaches -- even a guest appearance by Mos Def -- with patently British alternative rock instrumentation.