The Toy Box: Sade

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Retro Spins: Sade - Stronger Than Pride

My listening sessions through Sade's 80's discography have been a bit mind numbing, a little boring, and overall underwhelming. Granted, I never really expected anything mind blowing. I knew what I was getting into, and I knew what I wanted from it; essentially the three hits I knew, Sweetest Taboo, Smooth Operator, and Your Love Is King, and that's relatively what I got.

Initially, I bought her first two albums, 1984's Diamond Life, and 1985's Pride were intentionally bought for those aforementioned tunes. However, as things go, when I began preparing for this series of Retro Spins, I felt I'd go ahead and pick up her final entry for the decade, 1988's Stronger Than Pride. Just me checking boxes like I so often do (and regret).

Upon its release, Sade definitely kept their successful momentum going. Stronger Than Pride would become their third platinum record to date, and like its predecessors, fire up the Billboard 200 to the top ten, peaking at number seven. It was equally successful across the globe, peaking in the top ten on multiple charts, and smashing platinum sales in multiple territories.

I don't know, maybe it's just me. Sade just doesn't do it for me. As noted above, I find the music boring. There's just nothing here that leaves me saying, "Wow, that's amazing," nor, "I need to hear that again."

Okay, let me think of something positive to say. Instrumentation wise, the band has the smooth jazz sound locked down. They know what they're doing, and Sade knows how to use her vocals to compliment it. If I was into this style of music, I could definitely see the appeal.

The band went on to release 1992's Love Deluxe and would win a Grammy in 1994 for their song, No Ordinary Love, featured in the 1993 film Indecent Proposal. However, by 1994 the singer was looking for a quieter life. One where she could rest and raise her child. Sade Adu, seemingly disappeared overnight. Bassist Paul S. Denman, keyboardist Andrew Hale, and guitar and sax man, Stuart Matthewman, would go on to create Sweetback in 1996.

The four would reunite in 2000 for a performance at the MOBO Awards, and release the studio album, Lovers Rock. As fate would have it, the band essentially picked up right where they left off, producing another platinum record that smashed the charts across the globe. Ten years later, they'd do it again with 2010's Soldier Of Love.

When it's all said and done, while it's not for me, there's an audience out there for Sade, and they love what she does. Kudos to the band for their massive success across multiple decades. All the more respect for being able to take such a long hiatus and do it multiple times like it was just another day for them.

As for me, I'm headed back to Tom Petty, a statement which will make more sense to you tomorrow.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

Retro Spins: Sade - Promise

When Sade released their second studio album in 1985, they were still riding the waves of their multi-platinum debut, Diamond Life (1984), which was still staying strong on the Billboard 200, and would be through 1986. As such, Promise immediately joined it, surpassing it to reach number one. It too would go multi-platinum, and peak on multiple charts across the globe.

Despite its chart success, critics were not kind upon its release. Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone would say, "The careful elegance of the production and instrumental settings seems little more than a strategy to conceal the limitations of Sade's vocal range and skills as a song stylist." Meanwhile, Robert Christgau of The Village Voice would state, "Even when it's this sumptuous, there's a problem with aural wallpaper—once you start paying attention to it, it's not wallpaper anymore, it's pictures on the wall. And while as a wallpaper these pictures may be something, they can't compete with the ones you've hung up special." Admittedly, the latter seems like a word salad that's difficult to decipher. Perhaps it's best summed up by Spin Magazine's quote, "Sade is a torch singer without the torch. Her voice has no blood, no guts, and no soul." Basically, critics were saying that Sade stunk, even though the charts were not reflecting this.

While I won't say it stunk, it's definitely not for me. Promise is more or less the same that was delivered with their debut. For me, the hit, Sweetest Taboo, is why I bought it, but on the same hand don't really necessarily have much love for the tune.

If I'm being honest, I found the whole listening experience to be boring, but at the same time, I expected this. I can respect what the band was doing and acknowledge that they had massive hits in the 80's. Frankly, that's the reason why I own them. Sade is me checking a box in my 80's collection, and I have no problem in being honest in that aspect.

I didn't expect to like this album, and I didn't. Everything sounds like a lounge act straight out of Leisure Suit Larry. It's great ambience if you're running around as Larry Laffer, but dull and drawn out if you're just sitting there taking it all in. To put it bluntly, it's quite boring. So much so that I wanted to give up on listening to it and ultimately had to force myself through it.

I will finish out their 80's discography, which consists of one more album, 1988's Stronger Than Pride, but I'm certainly not looking forward to it. Sade isn't bad music. It's just not my kind of music.

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Retro Spins: Sade - Diamond Life

Sade was unique when she emerged in the 80's. While mainstream was focused on new wave, and the emerging hair bands, she instead focused on a smooth jazz, pop soul sound. She paved the way for artists like Tool, Pantera, and Korn, just to name a few.

The group started as Pride, with members Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman, Paul Denman, and Paul Anthony Cooke in 1982. However, they soon changed the name to Sade and began writing material. While they would spend the year performing locally in London, by 1983 they made their way to the USA for their first appearance. It was here that they picked up Andrew Hale. In early 1984, Dave Early, would replace Cooke.

As Sade (the group), they were garnering far more attention than Pride, and by October of 1983 signed a deal with CBS Records. Prior to their July 1984 album debut, Your Love Is King, was released as a single, and became a top ten hit on the Billboard US Adult Contemporary charts. Additionally, it peaked on multiple chart lists, not only in the USA. Its follow-up, When Am I Going to Make A Living didn't fare as well, barely cracking the charts.

Regardless, when their debut, Diamond Life was released, it smashed the Billboard Hot 200, landing at number five. It would remain on the charts for two more years, dropping to twenty-four in 1985, and sixty-one in 1986. The single, Smooth Operator would not only be the first to receive a music video but also hit multiple charts. They would be nominated for Best Female Video, and Best New Artist, for the 1985 MTV Music Video Awards.

Smooth and silky, with a funky beat. That's the best way I can explain it. As a singer, Sade has a sultry voice which easily cuts through the jazz infused tracks, and while it's certainly a calming experience, I won't say that it was my favorite album. Not by a long shot.

Sade was one of those, "Yeah, I know them," purchases. I wasn't necessarily chomping at the bit to have Smooth Operator, Your Love Is King, or in the case of her second album, The sweetest Taboo. But at the same time, I couldn't fathom building an 80's collection without them. Essentially, this is how her albums came to be in my collection. Not as a fan of her music, but a fan of the era in which it dominated.

Personally, I will probably never listen to this one again. I will, however, continue on through her other two from the 80's.

With a multi-platinum debut under their belts, Sade were sailing off to a grand start. All of this was aided by the continued success of singles from the album, Why Can't We Live Together, and Hang On To Your Love.

In July of 1985, Sade would perform at Live Aid, the UK portion, where they performed Why Can't We Live Together, Your Love Is King, and Is It A Crime. In between this, February to August, they worked on the tracks that would become their sophomore album, Promise.

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