SADE Vinyl & CDs

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'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 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.