Yaz (originally called Yazoo) was a synth pop group that had some modest chart success in the US in the early 80s. Yaz was comprised of Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke (formerly of Depeche Mode) and their 1982 record, "Upstairs at Eric's" is considered a landmark release in the genre. In terms of chart hits, though, it left quite a bit to be desired. "Situation" stalled at #73 and "Only You" only reached #67. "Don't Go" is the track that kicks off this album and feels more like a hit, but it didn't chart. Moyet would strike out on a solo career and Clarke later formed a similar band, Erasure. Both would find greater chart success beyond Yaz: Moyet had a #31 hit in 1985 with "Invisible" and Erasure would score three Top 40 hits in the late 80s and 90s.
1988 was the magical year for the English pop duo called Erasure. The boys had their first chart appearance with "Chains of Love" going to #12 and "A Little Respect" going to #14. They would never be able to best these performances, the closest being "Always", which hit #20 in 1994. The vocal half of Erasure is Andy Bell and the instruments are performed by Vince Clarke. If you are reminded of the less gloomier side of Depeche Mode when you hear Erasure, that's because Clarke used to be in Depeche Mode. He also did time in another famous duo act of the 80s called Yaz. "Heart of Stone" is an underrated gem from Erasure's breakthrough 1988 album, "The Innocents".
