SADE Vinyl & CDs

Review: There has been a whole bunch of quality reworks of this particular soul seductress dropping of late and we are all for it. What set cannot be elevated with some super smooth r&b vocals and smoky deep drums? You get exactly that once more here with 'Paradise' the first to get a clubby rework. The drums stay nice and lo-fi and paired back, the percussion is warm and dusty and the vocal injects the heart aching soul you need to get a crowd all loved-up. On the flip side, UK house don Ben Watt brings his Lazy Dog remix to 'By Your Side' and it is rife with funky guitar riffs and loose, playful grooves.

Review: Sade's 'The Safest Place (NYC Dance Remix)' is a masterful blend of her signature smooth vocals being used for an infectious tribal groove. Originally from her 2010 album Soldier of Love, this remix seamlessly incorporates Sade's enchanting voice into a rhythm that pulses with energy, perfect for dancefloors. The track's production enhances its danceability, showcasing her ability to resonate with the dance community. It's a testament to her timeless appeal and adaptability, proving once again why she remains a beloved figure in both pop and dance music. Sade often finds her way into underground house and techno mixes. This might be one of the best.

Review: This unknown label is continuing to do some great work with regard to putting out club-ready reworks of Sade classics. The buttery-voiced soul queen has barely roasted any music since her famous heyday but even years on it still it sounds superb. Here we have a remix of 'Surrender Your Love' with the passionate original vocal draped over some nice cuddly, dusty deep house drums. On the flip, 'Haunt Me' (DJ Sneak mix) finds the House Gangster in tender form, with some supple and soft chords and drums all bubbling away nicely beneath another crucial Sade vocal sample.

Review: Dunno about you, but we are absolute suckers for Sade mixes. Not the tasteless ones that are in no way sympathetic to the original mood - but the deep house reworks that couch Sade's heart-melting toes in soft, dreamy drums are hard to beat. And that's what we have here on another cheeky white label 12". First is a nice blissed out and late night rework of 'Somebody Already Broke My Heart' (Excursions mix) which is a pure joy, and then 'Hang On To Your Love' (De Rigueur) is a little more dancey with disco chords bringing some sparkle to Sade's irresistible tones.

Review: Sade's Lovers Rock marks a significant evolution in the band's sound and image. Departing from their signature luxuriance, the album embraces a sparser, knottier sound that beautifully balances past influences with contemporary trends. Adu's vocals, thick and low as ever, blend seamlessly into the breezy landscape of acoustic guitar, reggae bass, and simple percussion, creating an atmosphere of understated sensuality. The album's themes range from new love to motherhood to societal issues, showcasing Adu's lyrical prowess and her ability to navigate the complexities of human emotions. Lovers Rock also pays homage to the cultural influence of Caribbean Britishness, both in its title and its musical style, adding depth to Sade's sonic palette. While the album was released amid a pop landscape dominated by shiny, slick productions, Sade remained true to their sound, avoiding obvious trends and opting for a more introspective approach. The album's impact reverberates through contemporary music and allowed Sade to maintain their unique identity and continue evolving with each release.

Review: Sade's first album in ten years at the time, 2010's Soldier of Love reaffirmed her unique place in music. In an era dominated by bombastic pop acts, her signature blend of smooth grooves and restrained emotion still stands out today. The album maintains that classic sound while subtly incorporating new elements, like the dub-esque snare crashes on 'Babyfather.' Sade's music, often characterised by its tasteful understatement, captures moods with nuance and precision, such as the haunting piano motif that runs through 'Morning Bird'. With its soothing allure and timeless appeal, Sade once again proves why she remains unparalleled in her craft.

Review: Sade's 1992 album, Love Deluxe, immerses listeners in a luxurious blend of quiet storm, r&b and jazz-pop, enveloping Sade Adu's evocative expressions of desire and heartache. Emerging from the mid-'80s UK jazz-pop scene, Sade perfected a sound that fused jazz, bossa nova, and soul with a modern, streamlined edge. From their beginnings as a fusion of former members of post-punk and new wave bands, Sade the band evolved into a cohesive unit, crafting seamless compositions that seamlessly merged soulful staircases of sound with liquid-crystal pop-funk. Love Deluxe stands as their most monolithic work, a sonic journey characterised by its ethereal fluidity. Sade's music became synonymous with cosmopolitan exotica, transporting listeners to a world of jet-setting luxury and romantic introspection. Adu's introspective lyricism explores themes of love and longing with a depth that transcends traditional romanticism, delving into the complexities of human emotion. The album's production, marked by programmed beats and a minimalist approach to instrumentation, aligns it with the emerging trip-hop genre, characterized by its fusion of lushness and dread. The precise interplay of drums, synth, and guitar creates an immaculate sonic landscape, perfectly complementing Adu's mesmerizing vocals. Each track on Love Deluxe serves as a poignant exploration of love's multifaceted nature, from the relentless devotion depicted in 'No Ordinary Love' to the introspective character studies of 'Feel No Pain' and 'Pearls. Through Adu's evocative storytelling and the band's masterful instrumentation, Love Deluxe transcends mere romanticism, offering a profound meditation on the mysteries of love, birth, and death. It's an album that defies easy categorization, inviting listeners to lose themselves in its blissful abstraction and emotional depth.

Review: Sade is one of those artists that people just cannot resist remixing. Her voice is silky smooth and sultry so is well suited to seductive deep house reworks. And that is just what we get here with four different takes on 'Love Is Stronger Than Pride'. The GT Hot remix opens with deft pads and airy beats, the B-Boys Basement mix gets more physical and jacked up with raw percussion and the Mouse T club mix brings some old-school house feels. Last of all is the most smoky and rich as the Master & Pupil mix layers in sustained chords and dynamic depth.

Review: 'Couldn't Love You More' is one of the most iconic songs from one of the most iconic soul singers of her generation. It is such a sweet tune that it is perfect for reworking into a lovely deep house framework. And that is exactly what we have here as some mysterious artist who for obvious reasons wants to be unnamed reworks it three different ways. Mix 1 keeps the lush, lazy chords in place and sprinkles in some deft percussion. Mix 2 is a subtle tweak that has a little more drive and edge to it and Mix 3 completes the package with another deft touch that is sure to get floors all loved up.

Review: British-Nigerian singer-songwriter Sade is rightly celebrated for her sultry voice and timeless hits like 'Smooth Operator' and 'No Ordinary Love.' Her music blends soul, jazz and r&b with its sensual melodies and poetic lyrics and so is a great fit for deep house reworks, A bunch of them have all dropped with us and this one licks off with 'Like A Tattoo', an airy cut with some gorgeous keys and plenty of loved up vibes. Meanwhile on the flip is a new version of the most iconic of them all - 'Smooth Operator' (remix) still has the erotic sax notes and great vocals, but more upbeat drums to get cosy parties moving.

Review: Sade's debut album Diamond Life (1984) introduced a distinctive blend of minimalistic soul and jazz-infused pop, contrasting sharply with the synth-heavy trends of its time. Lead vocalist Sade Adu's modest contralto and understated elegance enchanted listeners, earning comparisons to legends like Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. The album's standout track, 'Smooth Operator,' showed the band's penchant for crafting sophisticated, emotionally resonant music amidst a backdrop of serene instrumentation. Diamond Life navigates themes of love, commitment, and everyday struggles with an understated grace, epitomized by tracks like 'Hang On to Your Love' and 'Your Love Is King.' Sade's ability to convey depth and desire with concise lyricism and atmospheric melodies set her apart as a master storyteller in the realm of blues-infused pop. The album's subdued tones and atmospheric production create a stunning sonic landscape that remains impactful. Diamond Life made Sade a household name as a pioneering figure in minimalist soul, setting the stage for her illustrious career and leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.

Review: Promise solidified Sade's signature sound with lush, unhurried compositions that blended jazz, Brazilian pop, and soul. Building on the success of their debut, Diamond Life, this album established Sade as masters of mood music, transporting listeners with their sophisticated arrangements and Sade Adu's soft-touch vocals. The lead single, 'The Sweetest Taboo,' epitomizes the album's accessibility, with its infectious midtempo groove and breathy vocals. However, it's the opener, 'Is It a Crime,' that steals the spotlight, showcasing Sweetback's (the trio behind Sade) talents with Hammond organs and djembes, while Adu's vocals soar over big band-style crescendos. Throughout Promise, Sade explores the varied stages of love and relationships, with Adu's autobiographical lyrics conveying melancholy and introspection. Tracks like 'War of the Hearts' and Jezebel' delve into the complexities of human emotion, while 'Tar Baby' addresses themes of racial identity and unexpected pregnancy with sensitivity and depth. With each track, the band reaffirms their commitment to crafting music that moves and transports listeners - an approach that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Review: Stronger Than Pride marks a subtle shift in Sade's sound, emphasizing a more stripped-down, meditative approach to romance and introspection. Recorded after a hiatus, the album exudes a breezy, unhurried vibe, with compositions that loop back on themselves and melodies that leisurely unfurl. While not as minimalistic as later efforts, the album showcases softer rhythms and lighter melodies, allowing Sade's airy vocals to shine. Songs like 'Love Is Stronger Than Pride' and 'Turn My Back on You' capture emotional honesty and candor, buoyed by sparse arrangements that enhance Sade's directness. Throughout the record, Sade's writing maintains a mantra-like quality, repeating phrases to imbue the songs with quiet anguish and introspection. Leroy Osbourne's background vocals add warmth to Sade's cool melodies, enhancing the emotional resonance of tracks like 'Paradise' and 'Nothing Can Come Between Us.' The band's cohesion and faith in each other are evident on Stronger Than Pride, with each member contributing to flesh out Sade's ideas or provide space for them to bloom. While lacking the glitz and melodrama of previous hits, the album's emotional clarity and restrained production make it a compelling addition to Sade's discography, showcasing their ability to evolve while staying true to their signature sound.