First Impressions: Sade Treads Softly and Exquisitely Across Love's Battleground
Labels: first impressions, Sade, spin me right roundIn an age where pop tarts pop out of the toaster of sound with high calories and less substance to keep you full shorter than four hours, it's easy to see why Sade's return to the music world after a ten year hiatus is welcomed with open arms.
If you're a music connoisseur, the UK Jazz/Soul collective isn't unfamiliar territory. In some way shape or form, the quiet storm rumbles of Sade (mainly comprised of Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman, Paul Denman and Andrew Hale ) have invaded your life. Their catalog begins in 1984 with the release of their debut album, Diamond Life and has continued with the larger than life sounds of modern classics such as, "Smooth Operator", "Is It A Crime?", "The Sweetest Taboo" and "No Ordinary Love", plus many more.
There are some critics who are trying to figure out how Sade Adu will fit into a new generation of listeners, yet why should it matter what age bracket Sade wedges into? All it takes for her to command an audience is by seducing with that husky tone of hers, and captivation has been achieved especially on this new set. Soldier of Love is the group's sixth set and it plays like a continuation of 2000's Lover's Rock, yet it is it's elder and wiser sister.
Solider of Love is nothing short of elegant. The album was carefully crafted and pays attention to details in each composition. No surprise since Sade is a premiere band who know about the "good old days" of album crafting...you know, the days when artists actually cared what their audience was listening to, not engaging in selfish narcissistic endeavors or trying to rack up chart action. Sade made an album for those who have enjoyed their previous work, for those who want to rediscover what the band has to offer and an album for those who just want something rich and to ooze out of their players. In short, Sade made a record that is a full course meal that is satisfying till the end.




















