A later development of fusion in which elements of rhythm and blues and pop music were distilled and refined by the formulas and constraints of radio to become bright and recognizable melodies (though ironically often recorded with audiophile sensibilities in mind). Recent smooth jazz owes little to jazz, and might better be seen as instrumental pop music. (Smooth jazz is sometimes called "lite jazz" or "contemporary jazz.")
Sade, "Smooth Operator" (1984)