Meaning: The quote "Yazoo was Vince's sound ultimately. At the time Vince and I got together he had only recorded one album with Depeche and Depeche were to go on to greater things." by Alison Moyet provides insight into the musical partnership between Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet, as well as the context of their collaboration within the broader music industry. This quote sheds light on the significance of the band Yazoo in the context of Vince Clarke's musical career, particularly in relation to his prior involvement with Depeche Mode.

Yazoo, also known as Yaz in the United States, was a British synth-pop duo formed in the early 1980s, consisting of Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet. Vince Clarke, known for his work with Depeche Mode and later Erasure, played a pivotal role in shaping the electronic music landscape. The quote suggests that Yazoo represented a departure from Clarke's previous musical endeavors, as it was described as "Vince's sound ultimately". This implies that the music created with Alison Moyet in Yazoo was a more personal and defining expression of Clarke's musical identity.

The reference to Depeche Mode in the quote contextualizes the timing of Clarke's collaboration with Moyet. Clarke was a founding member of Depeche Mode and contributed to the band's debut album, "Speak & Spell", before departing to pursue other musical projects. The quote acknowledges that at the time of Clarke and Moyet's partnership, Depeche Mode was on the cusp of achieving greater success, indicating that Yazoo emerged at a crucial juncture in Clarke's career.

Alison Moyet's characterization of Yazoo as "Vince's sound ultimately" underscores the significance of the duo's creative synergy. The quote suggests that Clarke's musical vision was fully realized in Yazoo, and that the collaboration with Moyet was instrumental in shaping the distinctive sonic identity of the band. This insight offers a glimpse into the dynamics of their creative partnership and the impact of their collaboration on the music they produced together.

Furthermore, the quote alludes to the trajectory of Depeche Mode, hinting at the band's subsequent ascent to prominence following Clarke's departure. This contextualizes the historical significance of Yazoo within the broader narrative of electronic music in the 1980s. While Depeche Mode continued to achieve commercial success and critical acclaim, Yazoo carved out its own legacy as a seminal act in the synth-pop genre, leaving an indelible mark on the music of the era.

In conclusion, Alison Moyet's quote provides valuable insights into the musical partnership between Vince Clarke and herself in Yazoo, as well as the broader context of Clarke's career and the evolution of electronic music in the 1980s. It underscores the unique creative dynamic between Clarke and Moyet, and highlights the pivotal role of Yazoo in shaping Clarke's musical identity. This quote serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Yazoo and its significance within the landscape of electronic music history.