Diamond Life

I'm always hesitant to use the phrase 'You just don't get it' to bash negative criticism of a work I enjoy, especially when the work is not exactly hard to 'get', but unfortunately I find myself in need of this argument when talking about Diamond Life. The reviews for this page are filled to the brim of complaints that this record is 'generic, 'uninspired' or 'artificial. 'Music for people that don't actually care about music' is a sentiment I see shared by people who will then give positive scores to the fucking Foo Fighters with no sense of irony. I have no issue with disliking this album of course, but if you think these descriptors apply to any part of this album you straight up don't know what makes good pop music and probably shouldn't act like an authority on the subject. This album simply epitomizes the word 'cool', everything about it is the smoothest of the smooth with its funky jazz instrumentals and Sade's sensual voice. Sade really is the perfect singer for this kind of music, she feels sort of like she's been designed in a lab to perfectly accompany this kind of easy listening jazz pop. Whilst this sounds on paper like it would create a nightmarishly bland LP the likes of which Michael Bolton and Bryan Adams could never hope to record, every track is full of soul and makes you feel like you're living an episode of Miami Vice (which is really what this kind of music should do). Rather than reveling in the artifice of many contemporary pop records, Diamond Life is a record that perfectly weaponizes subtlety to make the biggest impact on the listener it possibly can. It really makes you want to gaze across a neon cityscape, smoking a cigarette on an apartment balcony whilst reminiscing about a lost lover. Artificial is honestly the last word I would use to use to describe the music on this record, the emotion is oozing from every second of every track and quite frankly I would be surprised if anyone calling these tracks hollow was even attempting to meet them on their level. Its much more fun to sneer than give a chance to a work you happen to be apprehensive about. Therefore I have to assume the reason people attack this album is that they quite simply hear something that slightly resembles easy listening or Yacht Rock, and immediately assume it sucks without actually *listening* to how the music sounds. I hate easy listening too, but even I could tell this album rocks after just the first track! Its especially egregious to me with how obviously this genre of music crosses over with City Pop, which I can only imagine gets a free pass from people because of the perceived exoticism in listening to Japanese music (not shitting on City Pop for the record, check out Fly-day Chinatown when you get the chance) So ignore all of the screeching ignorance found in these 1 star reviews and go into this with an open mind, ideally at night and drift in Sade's world of sensuality and subtle melancholy. Then listen to everything else Sade has made. Its nothing but home runs for their entire discography, but Diamond Life is certainly a standout in that illustrious company. Highlights: Smooth Operator, Hang On To Your Love, Cherry Pie, Sally

Absolute banger. Sax for days.

Wow. Now I know why people love Sade. Absolute banger of an album.

Too smooth. Yuck. Like a barbie crotch.

I had a visceral reaction to this album, like a child revoking after touching a hot stove for the first time. I was driving faster on my way to work as if I could outrun the music. It feels like robots. It feels like lies. It’s like a nice glassy wrapped package that someone left empty. It has all the heart of the incidental music of a summertime Hallmark movie. Hopefully I won’t cross paths with this album again.

I wasn't expecting to be as into this album as I am. It's so smooth, funky, and jazzy. The musicianship is fantastic and Sade's vocals are phenomenal as well. The drums and bass are locked in and are doing really interesting lines and rhythms in the background. This is a marvelously produced album and is sequenced and mixed very well. In retrospect, it makes total sense that I love this album as I love funk and jazz. I was expecting something more dated I think.

Surprised by how much i loved it.

Generic ass middle of the road, nauseatingly smooth and uninspiring jazz sung with a boring vocal performance, what am I missing here? Best part is obviously the instrumentals, they carry Sade hard.

Like being stuck in a hotel lobby in the 1980s.

I feel an uncontrollable, visceral revulsion for almost every element of this. It's canned, bland, and impossible to stand. I can't discern any semblance of genuine human emotion from it. The sounds are flat and textureless, the songs plod along interminably, and the lyrics seem like they were written by a concussed android. Whether they're celebrating promiscuity and duplicitousness, as in 'Smooth Operator', or criticising it in 'Frankie's First Affair', (it's genuinely hard to tell), they are abject with an almost impressive uniformity.

perf combination of old and new soul and jazz. sade has been a huge influence to so many modern artists with a fresh take on this style of music. this album is so easy and nice to listen to. pretty romantic n smooth 💓💞💓💞💓truly iconic

Bloody awful. Music for people who don't actually listen to music - they just like something on while they're hosting a dinner party.

Beautiful. So much soul with such a unique and fresh take on soulful jazz vocals. Def right up my alley

Very beige

Timeless album. Not sure I will ever get tired of this one. First three songs are perfect, although I would prefer the US version of Smooth Operator to the UK version (on Spotify).

8/10

Un album très agréable à écouter. J'ai particulièrement apprécié le moment où Sade chante ♫ Shine bright like a diamond life, shine bright like a diamond life, We're beautiful like diamonds life in the sky ♫. Très sympa.

Really not my thing at all. Feels very corporate and slick.

smooth operator is a catchy tune. beats are pretty neat for 84, but grating cheesy lyrics won out. 2 minutes into frankie, i turned my stereo off from the toilet and finished shitting in silence.

I am fairly certain that I or at least one of my siblings was conceived to this album so I haven't really listened to it before this 🌚

I'm trying so hard to approach this album objectively and failing. British sophisti-pop is possibly the most obnoxious genre of music ever created and Sade is the epitome of the genre. I found nothing redeeming in this album. The vocals are lazy, the melodies are sleazy, the lyrics are insipid, and DEAR GOD WHY ARE THERE SO MANY SAXOPHONE SOLOS. "Diamond Life" is absolutely infested with saxophone solos and it's not good. It's not good at all. I hated literally every moment of this album.

Sade is such a phenomenal singer. This is a lovely jazz pop album.

Good strong start with the first two songs, well known. But then the rest of the album seems just… vanilla. Didn’t really inspire. Good singer though.

bland generic smooth jazz. feel like I spent the last 45 minutes in an elevator

If you like the sound of Casio keyboard and drum sounds together with alto saxophone solos and a smooth vocal then this album is for you. I've seen this described as sounding like elevator music and that's probably about right. It amazes me people actually bought this (I'm pretty sure my sister had this in her cd collection). Why, is beyond me. I guess smash hits or just 17 gave it a rave review? And I suppose the cover is quite cool in an art noir kind of way. Um, yeah, not really my bag. Is that 1000 words yet?

I tried to ignore my preconceptions about this album. Turns out they were right, utter shite.

Not a bad song on this. I could listen to this on repeat forever.

This album is fantastic. I like that I didn't' realize that it was smooth operator until halfway through. The track is that good, one of my favorite single tracks of all time. it's followed by 'Your love is King' and 'Hang onto your love' which are also fantastic and groovy and danceable. Cherry Pie is also amazing. The last three tracks are more forgettable though the final track is mostly a very cool jungle instrumental with some beautiful percussion. This whole thing is so groovy, so danceable, so cool. This is the kind of music I really like driving with. It makes me want to put my sunglasses down and walk through the streets with my hips just barely swaying to the beat. These tracks are fantastically enjoyable and really make me yearn for a time where disco and soul were more prominent. Makes me want to go to a soul club. Maybe I will

Saxy and Smooth!

Fantastic album, smooth, funky, a pining and loving masterpiece. Possibly the best album so far.

This brought me back to when my sister listenes to this on her boombox. It is of a time and place. If you were there, this is peak mid 80’s.

OK. This is just a cool album made by a cool group.

No. 97/1001 Smooth Operator 5/5 Your Love Is King 5/5 Hang On to Your Love 4/5 Frankie's First Affair 4/5 When Am I Going To Make A Living 4/5 Cherry Pie 3/5 Sally 3/5 I Will Be Your Friend 3/5 Why Can't We Live Together 3/5 Average: 3,78 Really smooth album, loved her voice. Just lacked some musical diversity and some songs were a bit too long.

Nah, fuck this.

Utter shite. This album kicks off with the very forgettable "Smooth Operator" and gets progressively worse throughout. Shit songwriting. It's that simple. Long, poorly-crafted songs. Everything on this record - from Sade's goofy vocals, to the dull persuasion, and the soppy saxophone bollocks - is fucking terrible. This is one of those embarrassing 80s albums. 👎👎

5/5 This album is a silk robe for your brain. It’s jazz-pop with the soul of a nocturnal panther—slinky, calm, and unbothered by your chaos. Every track sounds like it was mixed inside a martini glass. Favorite Track: “Smooth Operator” The way that saxophone glides in? That’s not music, that’s emotional dry-cleaning. I aspire to this level of composed elegance. It’s what I’d play while pretending to read philosophy on a rooftop during a rainstorm. This is the music you listen to when you’re emotionally intelligent and hot, which I would be if I had unresolved father issues.

Call me generic, say I dont love music, call me tacky, but thisbis Crack. I love this shit. It was popular and still is popular because its good. One of my favorites from this challenge so far after 50. What can I say. Neo jazz and jazz in general is just really good.

LOVED. What a vibe

One of my all time favourite albums - which I very rarely listen to, so this was an absolute treat.

yeahhhh, this is so great. Sade is the epitome of cool. her voice and the endless sax are a combo I can definitely get behind. i knew smooth operator and your love is king already so my "fresh" listen of the album only really started with hang on to your love and oh boy, what a start. sally another hot fave from this album. love love love this one.

I grew up on The Quiet Storm, so this gives me nostalgia for nights headed home in the back seat of my parent’s car. Yet I’m able to connect to the sensuality of the music as an adult. Very beautiful and special. This album probably helped conceive a generation.

>The Beatles

I don't know if you need to declare that, before you die, you must hear music that has never gone away. It's like saying "You GOTTA breathe this atmosphere while you are here!" Pretty sure every human hears "Smooth Operator" at least once a week during the process of being alive. And it is flawless. "Your Love is King" only slightly less flawless and thereby more interesting. I wonder if they have to pay Roxy Music's holding company for style royalties. I've always kinda dug the nagging persistence of "Hang on to Your Love", a ballad from a barnacle to a Nantucket whaler of a love. "Cherry Pie" is the secret subdued disco banger hidden in here. As is the audacious conga minute opening of Timmy Thomson's minimalist classic "Why Can't We Live Together." I want to hear that gliding around a roller rink on the moon.

Music so sweet to the ears that it will instantly convert any smooth soul skeptic into a believer.

It's interesting that the group made their whole "brand" around the singer, because the rest of the instrumentals are all really equally impressive. I know smooth jazz/pop has a reputation for being corny or generic but there is some serious talent on display in this album. The saxophone and the bass stand out but the keys and drums carry the rhythm as well. I like that the songs mostly have a solo/instrumental break in them in addition to the vocal parts to showcase all that. The vocals are unique; she's got a great low voice that fits well with the overall sound of "dark lounge possibly host to crime enterprises" band. "Smooth Operator" is such a banger that I'm kind of annoyed it's the first song on the album. It's funny that it's nowhere near the amount of streams as "Your Love is King" on Spotify - the latter is not anywhere near as good of a song. "Cherry Pie" is another really good one and somehow doesn't sound as long as it's runtime would suggest. I was surprised by this. This is the precursor to the 90's wave of european trip hop which I really like so I guess it isn't too much of a surprise. You do have to get over yourself when listening to it though or it's going to sound like elevator music.

Sade is the answer to the question: “What if Steely Dan was good?”

Pretty good throughout, smooth, funky and jazzy with great vocals. A bit generic maybe but that’s fine, what lifts this from being too generic though is the epic saxophone. The only thing keeping this from being 4 stars is simply that there wasn’t enough sax. Favourites: smooth operator and hang on to your love. Overall, 6.5/10.

The urtext of the Acid Jazz movement. Sexy stylings but boring enough that if you didn't make your move before the end of side one you might miss out.

I listened to this on Friday, all I remember is r&b and not much else

Boring adult contemporary music. Better than I thought it was going to be, but I'm writing this 10 minutes after I finished listening, and I remember almost nothing about it. Best track: Why Can't We Live Together

I'm sure this is really well crafted and she's got a wonderful voice but it's just not for me, Clive

...meh. Not my jam.

This is more a fragrance than a record. A delightful fragrance, but thin on tunes that would sit comfortably outside the end credits of a London-set made-for-VHS gangster movie in the eighties. Simon, no prizes for guessing which of our project’s silent partners is a fan of this album.

The kind of music I expect to be playing in an empty hotel foyer at 1:30am

If you like sex, this is a good album. If you like music, not so much. Polished and smooth, but also empty and soulless. Smooth Operator is a great track, but the rest is boring and forgettable.

Maybe you had to be there in the 89s to understand why people dislike this so much. Every damn song on the radio sounded like this shit. Smooth jazz/pop. Ugh.

Smooth. Loathed this at the time, quite enjoyed it this time. One of those that is good in its field, and evokes that time in music very well without sounding particularly dated.

This album ultimately just didn't impress me. The vocals weren't very strong, the lyrics were kinda boring and the music faded into the background as "muzak" or cocktail lounge-y

Yawn with a layer of cheese

If you did the lounge-y rhythms are dated you'd be half right. Bust them out now and they'd sound pretty rote, but that doesn't mean they aren't snazzy. The downer isn't the bongos, it's the description to boilerplate ratio, which (BS statistic coming up) is something like 3:7. More Sally, less Cherry Pie.

yuuuuuuuppppp

Ook weer zo'n mooi product van de jaren tachtig, deze übercoole loungedeunen van de zangeres en band met de bekende discrepantie tussen spelling en uitspraak van de naam. Bongo'tje, keyboardje, saxofoon en de warme damesstem. Als er iets mist, is het dan toch variatie: heb je het welbekende openingsnummer eenmaal gehoord, dan is de rest meer van hetzelfde. Desondanks klinkt dit ruim 40 jaar na dato nog steeds fris, en het is bovendien weer zo'n gevalletje van 'direct herkenbaar want alleen deze band klinkt zo', en dat is altijd een prestatie op zich. Dus vooruit.

Sade let's gooo!! My dad raised me on Sade and even if that wasn’t true this still is such a bop. You just can’t tell me you don’t feel anything when you listen to this album.

One of the greatest listens in a while, This album Sucks you into the music and makes you become in one with it, Such beautiful grooves.

Relaxing and calming

Frickin great. Super sexy.

That's the rare case when the album's quality matches the label's name. One of the best debut albums for me.

Flawless and sophisticated. I didn't expect I would rate this with 5 stars, but it is the only logical conclusion to such an amazing album. PS: Yacht-rock and sophisti-pop are my kryptonite.

Got it on vinyl its that good

Cooler than cool

Absolutely timeless, like Sade’s beauty. Although, adulthood has had a lot less gambling in Monaco casinos in ball gowns and jetting between New York and London on the Concorde than “Smooth Operator” led me to believe at 15.

Sexy and smooth 4.5/5

absurdo. clássico. cinema!

Fantastisk stemme og rytme, elska frankies first love affair

Very elegant and smooth

Queen Sade. Sade the queen. One of the best to ever do it.

5/5 Smooth saxophone is a pleasure to listen to. I liked this much more than i expected.

So good!!! Erix said "sensual."

So smooth!

Sade can sing to me every day for the rest of my life and I would be without complaint. I want to be sitting on the beach, maybe south of spain, listening to this. The band is incredible, her voice is so sultry and perfect. I have the entire box set and its still not enough.

The epitome of cool jazz with a bit of pop thrown in. Five stars all the way

enchanting

This is great in a certain setting. Wouldn't use it in a gym. But for meditation, relaxing baths or lovemaking, this is ideal. Unfortunately the wife prefers brutal death metal as a companion to our carnal work out so I had to settle for a relaxing bath. Still more than satisfied!

Yes!!

Solid relaxed album

Sade has been on my radar for quite some time. Definitely one of those bands I've been procrastinating on listening to for far too long. Looking forward to this listen. Smooth Operator I've definitely heard this one before. Great sound quality. Love the bossa nova esque vibe. Great sax. Banger chorus and post chorus. Her voice is very smooth. Did not remember this song being this good. Cool and classy. Fantastic. 5/5 Your Love Is King I'm obsessed. This is magical. Soulful and smooth and a little bit camp with that extremely 80s saxophone. Great production and an amazing, intriguing voice. Such a fun track. Fantastic. 5/5 Hang Onto Your Love Great bassline, has some good funk to it combined with those guitars. Really catchy. Love the verses. That instrumental break is just amazing. Fantastic. 5/5 Frankie's First Affair Doesn't have the same kick to it as the previous songs, though remains really smooth and soulful. Has some great vocal moments. The production makes it sound large and sprawling while keeping a slightly intimate feel to it. The final third of the track turns on the magic with some beautiful vocal layering. Fantastic. 5/5 When Am I Going to Make a Living Feels uplifting. Love the energy. Another great bassline. Anthemic, empowering chorus. Extremely fun track with some great 80s cheese mixed with songwriting and performances of the highest quality. Amazing. 5/5 Cherry Pie Great soulful instrumental. Catchy bassline and airy, liquid production. Love the keys. Great chorus. A fun slightly funky, slightly jazzy pop track with great energy and a fine charismatic vocal performance. Love how it ends. Fantastic. 5/5 Sally Starts of kinda slow. The sax comes in at the perfect time. Soulful. Has a decent sense of scale, gives great payoff for all the buildup. Great. 4.5/5 I Will Be Your Friend Fun rhythm. The sentiment is pretty sweet. Feels innocent and cute. Sure it's a bit cheesy, but I can't dock it points for that. Puts me in a good mood. Love the plucky instrumental. Fantastic. 5/5 Why Can't We Live Together Moody. Has a layer of darkness over it which contrasts it to the previous tracks. The echoey percussion and the bleak keys add an eerie effect. Lyrics are a bit cliche, but I find it kinda charming. Has a great groove. Solid closer. Great. 4.5/5 This blew me away for some reason. Sometimes it really isn't that deep. An album can just click. It's just so much fun, so stylish and self-contained, creating a sound that just tickles the enjoyment center of the brain in just the right way. It's jazzy, it's smooth, it's consistent. The ideas feel fresh and the performances genuine. And it sure helps that I love her voice as well. Was sat here with a goofy smile on my face the whole time, yet I struggle to put into words why this is so great. I guess I'm just spellbound, charmed and fully bought into the vibe they're trying to sell. Was waiting the entire time for the album to drop off, but I kept being surprised by how sweet and genuine it felt. The production has that sweet 80's cheese with the hammiest sax you'll ever hear. It's to the point where you'll either love it or hate it I guess, but I can't help but feel charmed by it. This has every reason not to work, but it someone hits all the correct notes. 5/5 Fave track. N/A Least fave track. N/A

Sade is a treasure and her debut is excellent evidence of what is to come in the ensuing decades

fabulous

El album definitivo para tomar vino y hacer el amor

biutiful

Great and smooth

Smooth operatooor....iconic opening track

Incredible debut, soft and masterful music filled with soul and chill vibes. Recommended for any day to improve your mood.

Absolutely stunning

This is #day238 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... oh my, this is my fifth consecutive 5 out of 5. The music is as smooth as the first sip of Negroni on a Friday night. A compelling blend of soul, jazz, and '80s pop, with lavish productions that complement Sade's unmistakable vocals. It's a stunning debut, and once again, no choice but to give it a perfect score. Looking forward to #day239.

Smooth Operator is a certified banger and it's maybe the 4th best song on this album. Masterful.

S E X the voice! For me, Sade is the kind of artist that can't be left out of your sex playlist. She's like the female version of Marvin Gaye, and "Smooth Operator" is like "Let's Get It On" This is a great debut album. 9 songs of the highest quality, both in terms of sound and composition and instrumental. Her voice embraces us like a soft purple silk curtain, leading us to experience sensations of lust and pleasure. 5 stars, of course.

Great voice!!

so fckn smooth, honestly first time really listening to a sade record. I'm familiar with smooth operator and hang on to your love. With its blend of smooth jazz, soul, and pop, this fits right up my alley

Smoooooooooth operator