Reviews (page 10 of 14)
delicinha hein. super sexy! smooth operator é boa demais vsf
So smooth, most of it just slipped past me and nothing really stuck.
Holy crap this is an all time great album fuck off if you don't like it!
starts strong but then turns into background music quite fast
This was a pleasant album with lots of great instrumentation and vocals. Sade's music trends to feel exciting and relaxing at the same time. The big single on this album, "Smooth Operator" is a straight banger. I just wish they'd have placed it in the middle or toward the end. But I suppose it might be tough for a band making it's debut to know what songs will stick.
Enjoyed this one
A little slow for me.
All you children born around February 1985 can thank this album for your existence. It’s good background music, not really meant for direct ingestion. It’s a bit boring that way.
Solid. Nice bass work. Smooth operator is a great opener and the tone stays consistent but nothing matches that song
If it's raining outside and you want to feel sad, this is the album. But today it's sunny, so I didn't love love it.
Nice
I love it. Could listen on repeat.
Wished we could do half stars. I'm gonna Fantano this with a Light 4. I didn't expect the intro to Smooth Operator lol
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.
So good, never knew her album. Very smooth voice and style.
smoooooooooooth operator too damage
SO SMOOOOOTH!!
Previous to me listening to this album, I had only heard Smooth Operator and thought it was a good if overplayed recent trend song. However, this album has so much great stuff to offer besides the most popular song. The smooth jazz/soul vibes are beautiful and Sade’s voice is incredible in tone and flow. I’m stunned by how much I found myself enjoying the sound of this album, and I can see myself playing this over dimmed lights and cocktails any night.
Smoooooooth operatooooooor
Elevator music to me, I'm afraid. I know Smooth Operator, but nothing here strikes me as interesting in the least.
Could be better
Remember when music videos were everything? I was all of sixteen, and I vividly remember the “What is this!?” feeling when I saw the video for “Smooth Operator” and being blown away. Sure, part of it was how stunningly gorgeous Sade was (and still is), but many people even today seem to confuse the lead singer with the band name Sade, and the whole group is amazing. For me, it was the uniqueness of what Sade was doing compared to other 80s bands. While UK synth pop and U.S. hair metal bands were ruling the top of the charts, here comes this band out of left field with this R&B, synths and jazz tinged album that for me was mesmerizing, even as a teenager. And the deep cuts are deep, this isn’t an album just about night clubs and gigolos. It’s a classic for a reason. Not all about Gig
Some nice slow r&b but it also kinda feels like the melodies are a little repetitive. Smooth Operator is a solid hit.
Meah. Not bad. Just not my thing. Apparently I pronounced the name wrong.
8/10….Soul/Soft Pop
Smooth operator is a GOAT, the album is pretty good.
4 stars
Classic 80s smooth jams
A good album. But I won't come back to this.
It’s a vibe- the same vibe- from start to finish. I remember when Smooth Operator was first released. It sounded like nothing else out there. So smooth!! But when you listen to song after song after song with the same groove and tone, it gets dull.
Love! Veryy nice
Classic easy listening
Nice 80s pop, just not my thing.
Love it
Liked it more than I thought I would. That's not to say I really liked it but it was OK. As per the first track, it was smooth. Really not too much more I can say than that other than a low but definite 3.
So smooooth. Got so much soul, and some funky wah-wahs too. Had this album back in the day which was way out of my usual taste. A very high 3.
Smoother than a 1000 telephone operators. (If they still existed). A very accomplished debut album, which washes over you like waves on a beach. That's enough romantic twaddle for one day.
In case you were confused like I was for most of my life: Sade is both the name of the band and its frontwoman, Sade Adu. Formed by Paul Anthony Cook, Paul Denman, and Stuart Matthewman after leaving their previous group, they placed their bets on Sade’s undeniable vocal talent. That gamble paid off spectacularly with the release of their debut, Diamond Life. The music is smooth and clean—almost impossibly so—like hair conditioner. Every sound is deliberate, and each note is meticulously crafted to elevate the vocals, creating a refined, atmospheric blend of jazz, soul, and pop. Unlike many divas of the era, Sade’s delivery is subtle. Her lower register doesn’t overwhelm but seduces, drawing you in without ever needing to show off. The power lies in her restraint, letting the emotion simmer beneath the surface rather than explode. Today, the album’s polished production might sound a bit safe, but I remember hearing “Smooth Operator” as a child and instantly recognizing its standout quality. Amid the hits of the time, it exuded a cool sophistication that was hard to ignore. It’s no surprise Diamond Life became the best-selling debut by a British female artist for many decades, and remains a classic of the era. While I usually gravitate toward grittier, more unpredictable sounds, I found Diamond Life to be an album I could easily glide through—albeit one that feels slightly one-paced at times. It’s an album that can easily blend into the background if you’re not actively tuned in. Did/Do I own this release? No, although my mother probably did Does this release belong on the list? Yes Would this release make my personal list? Unlikely Will I be listening to it again? Occasionally, and only when in the exact right mood and place.
Good singer but I heard the album too much in the 80s. I simply don't like it anymore.
Schöne Musik, tolle Stimme
The stellar debut from Sade is just as funky, groovy and sensual as always. This one doesn't quite hit the high peaks of their later releases, but it's still a damn fine listen from start to finish.
Beautiful record. The "new wave of British jazz" high mark. Loved this as students, love it now. Also, the "Lathe Operator" parody by Lenny Henry was superb
Yesterday's music, yesterday's sound, yesterday's feeling. Did not age well.
Smooth and cool album. Standout songs: your love is king Sally
It’s like Marvin Gaye met a girl with no talent and had a baby with some talent
Eating this one up. Love the vibe of the whole thing and Smooth Operator is just a banger. Her voice feels like rain on my skin. Favorites were Smooth Operator, Your Love is King, Frankie's First Affair, and I Will Be Your Friend
This sounds like driving over fresh asphalt feels. Her voice is great and the backing instrumentals complement it nicely. Favorites were Smooth Operator, Your Love Is King, Frankie’s First Affair, and Sally.
cool 5/5
smooth operator
I should have probably paid more attention to this record, but I never really wanted to.
Trevligt album med bra låtar och fint spelande. Stark 3
Enjoyable listen, well sung and played. Takes me back to the Eighties!
I thought this was shite
Excruciatingly smooth. The tempo of every song was the same, it all plodded along in the most obvious direction. Bland to the point of offensive. Hard 1.
Overall not for me - Smooth Operator and Frankie's First Affair were alright but the rest were incredibly boring and overproduced. She has a decent voice but fairly monotone and the production of the songs doesn't really help - seems to "cover" her voice too much. 1 feels harsh.
Mostly passed me by to be honest, although probably didn't find it as bad as I thought I would. Very bland and forgettable though. Smooth operator is nowt special either 1.5
This album rubs you down with scented oils before making sweet, sweet love to you. Sixty percent of the time, it works every time.
Arrancamos la semana con una banda y disco súper sexis. Cualquier álbum que empiece con una canción como "Smooth Operator" no puede ser malo: la voz de Sade que no da más de sensualidad, el bajo y la percusión que encastran a la perfección y así con todo. El disco continúa con la voz potente y sexi de Sade y la sutileza y fineza de la banda, que juega con lo funky, con el jazz y con lo que quieran experimentar. Ni hablar de los lookazos que clava Sade en los videoclips: impresionantes. Gran comienzo.
Sure is sexy. Damn.
Extremely excellent
This is a fabulous album! The version of Why Can't We Live Together is genius.
Nice, smooth, silky -> Sade!
If this was the go to album for the dinner party scene in the 80's, id rather starve
Diamond Life is the debut studio album by Sade, originally released in 1984. This is really smooth. Like silky smooth. Like bordering on corny 80s slick. For some reason I was really digging this today. The sax definitely gets cheesy at times but this album made me feel like I was living in NYC in the 80s. Definitely perfect for late night listening. The production is amazing too. This would definitely be one of those albums that audiophiles use to show off their systems.
Bah, normal. Agradable. Electro-R&Balternative R&Belectronica.
Nice trip down memory lane in a miami vice kinda way, the hits are still great but the album didn’t hold my attention.
I dig it, completely a time and place album though. Only added one track to the 1001 Experience Playlist
That sound, designed for 80s hi-fis, her voice. It never rocks the boat, but it never needs to.
R&B. Not too bad but not really my thing.
Each song is enjoyable but listening to them back to back makes them feel samey. Still a rocking album.
Not bad listening, but it almost felt a bit like waiting room music.
Sade for Prime Minister
I like this more than I expected I would! It’s still not necessarily my jam, but a good album nonetheless.
It’s fine - but I’m not an 80s R&B guy.
Overdose of adult contemporary jazz on this one! I know some folks that loove Sade and I normally respect their opinion on music. Not so sure on this one.
A very nice soul album with little substance, but a whole lot of style...and there's nothing wrong with that. 3 stars.
Really liked this, Sade has such a unique voice
This album is a tough rate. I can say I liked what was going on for the whole album, but something just wasn't clicking all the way, for me personally. I enjoyed the smooth jazzy vibes a lot. Felt like I was in a 1940s black and white detective film. The main vocalist I think is what leaves something to be desired. She is by no means bad, but I'm not so sure she matches the best with the music. I think a true rating would be 3.5, but I'll round to 4 for the sexy sax.
Smooth as you like
Excellent
Smooth!
Un estupendo disco, de lo mejorcito de Sade y es mucho decir. Lo he escuchado cientos de veces, lo tengo en todos los formatos y jamás me cansaré de él. Elegante es la palabra que mejor lo define. Debut por todo lo alto con Your love is king como mascarón de proa y primer single. Le sigue otro clásico como Smooth Operator con ese recitados y el saxo tan reconocibles. Hang on to your love continua la racha imparable de gemas, que sigue con Frankie's First Affair y When Am I Going To Make A Living. La cara B abre con una delicia como es Cherry pie y, tras Sally, sobre todo I will be yoru friend otra de la mejores canciones publicadas por la banda. El disco se ciera con una buena versión del Why Can't We Live Together de Timmy Thomas. No fue mal año 1984 con otros debuts como los de Run-DMC, The Smiths, Dead Can Dance, Nick Cave, LLoyd Cole and the Commotions, The Style Council y clásicos instantáneos como Purple Rain, Ocean Rain, 1984, Recknoning, Learning to Crawl, Ride the Lightning, Like a Virgin, Let it be, Zen Arcade, Knife, Born in the USA... o Deseo Carnal y Make it Big. Este disco sobresale entre los mejores por méritos propios.
Hát ez nem volt az én világom. Közepes, talán... Áh inkább annyi se.
The epitomy of romantic baby making music.
I remember Sade from the 80’s. Didn’t like this album then, don’t like it now. Granted, she has an amazing voice and Smooth Operator was all over the airwaves. However, I find this album boring with boring themes. Not for me.
Enjoyable album as background during dinner. Would revisit in future!
Elevator music, well crafted 3.2
Oh boy, this one takes me back to the good place. 1984, the world in front, school in the rear, girlfriend in tow. Where we paused, the turntable found power and the needle did damage. Add the Cerwin Vega amp and ridiculously large speakers, and our neighbors enjoyed this album on a weekly basis. Sorry, not sorry!
Definitely a classic for a reason. Her voice is so smooth, and the instrumentals here are slinky and varied. They keep it interesting enough to stay exciting throughout, but also leave lots of room for her vocals to breathe.
Elevator manufacturers called: They want their music back. At least it had some sexy saxophone throughout the album. Favorite Track: "Love Is A King".
She has a great voice. Wasn't really turned on by the music. It's a decent listen.
Diamond Life is the debut album from Sade, a British band that takes its name from their lead singer. Sade make a smooth-jazz style of soul, that had international appeal. The album's and the band's success was pushed by their hit single, "Smooth Operator." Sade's strong, smooth vocals are accompanied with a simple, downbeat jazz band: bass, guitar, organ, and drums - with an occasional saxophone. The band made great pop songs in their modern rendition of jazz vocal standards.
Smooth and soulful. Not really my style.
What a voice!
Love Sade
"Ahhh! 'Sade'." "Yeah, but that's Liz's!" "Yeah, but she did dump you." Þetta var mjög fín plata sem ég mun reyna að setja aftur á við en ég býst samt ekki við að ég muni muna eftir henni þegar þar að kemur.
So smooth, very laid-back. Really wanted to give this a 5 but didn't click with me to the extent I was hoping it would
Average 80's music. Didn't find anything special here.
Solid popular album. Smooth Operator is a great song. Can't think of a ton to type but makes sense to be on the list and it was easy to listen to, even if I did feel like it was all blending a bit.
The opening track doesn't work for me. Your Love is King got me back to at least pay attention. When am I Going to Make a Living is a cool track. Great voice, vocal skills, and solid instrumentation and compositions. I think this is a cohesive album and very listenable. I would like to say don't see myself listening to it in the future, but it may have won me over.
Huge back in the day, but it doesn’t really stand the test time and we never hear it anymore on the radio.
Too slow for my taste but very well done.
I can see how some love it just not my personal thing. Well executed tho Rating: 2.8
Smooooooth. Maybe too smooth. But rather nice still.
Shit's so good that it makes me want to pick up my saxophone and play.
probably closer to a 3.5 for me. killer sax.
Muy smooth, gran mezcla de soul y jazz
The Queen
Not for me. Especially the last song.
Sade suffers from a peculular problem with fans like me. I REALLY like her music --- One song at a time. Ok, maybe two or three, but every time I have ever sat down to listen to all of any of her albums all the way through... frankly (?) I get kinda almost (but not quite) bored. Ok. Now. Some bands are kinda boring because they are one hit wonders or generally not interesting. Others are kinda boring because they have great music intermixed with fodder. Sade IS quite great all around and some of her stuff is sublime. It is to do with the similar sound and vibe. Great one song at a time or two, she needs (and ought BE) in a mix where she will be one of the loved.
Hang On to Your Love's instrumental was amazing. That saxophone on Sally holy crap. 3.5/5 but I'll round up.
Love it
Great voice, always been a fan of Smooth Operator but this album as a whole was a bit average for me. It didn’t really get off the ground past the opening track so a mid rating
I know this is a touchstone record for a lot of people. But I just can't get into it. Smooth Operator is a great song; and Your Love is King is mild fun. But 45 minutes of smooth jazz just isn't my bag.
Love, love, love his album. Sade's voice is amazing.... top marks from me here. Finally an album in this list that deserves to be here.
Coming into this I only knew of Sade from Smooth Operator, this album was a delight. The whole album had a funky, silky smooth groove to it. Every track was enjoyable.
Nah it's not good
Потрясающий альбом
Smoooooth
Sade's first album, never heard before even though I've listened to her quite a few times. Contains a quite a few songs that are of similar "cheesy love song with saxophone lead" as 'Careless Whisper' 'Smooth Operator', and 'Your Love is King' for example. But that's not all the album it is, the album is loaded with lots of electric piano and really tasteful grooves and basslines and I just find myself nodding along. Most songs are pretty good actually, but 'Smooth Operator', 'Why Can't We Live Together' and 'Cherry Pie' are some examples of songs that stand out for me. A thing with 'Smooth Operator' that someone pointed out is that "Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago" makes no sense since Chicago is not at the coast. In summary I didn't expect this album to last all the way through, but I think it didn't and liked it more than I thought I would. Weak 4!
I know this is a well regarded album but something about the very laid back smooth vibe just irks me. I just find it annoying for some reason, and makes me want to listen to some punk. 2 star.
She has a very unique voice but it's not always for me. It's really a 2.5 but I can't rate in halves
Some great songs but mostly ones that weren't good at all
Smooth as a pebble, but unfortunately as interesting as one too. Full of banal sentiment.
She’s pretty good, just not my style, lounge music
Some really nice songs here lovely voice and good arrangement
8/5/24. This album will always remain one of my favorites, and love Sade's vocals and the song structures.
FUCK YEAAAAAA
Smooth Operator is another strong contender for best opening track off a debut album. She has a great voice, maybe the sexiest voice ever. Jazz, funk, R&B, this is a fusion of them all. She has one of those old school sultry voices, I’d listen to her order a sandwich. This has a very 80s sound…there’s a little bit of a porno music vibe to this, particularly all the saxophone. Early 80s Michael Jackson, Liberian Girl Michael Jackson shares a sound with this album. The 80s were truly a dark time for R&B. Giving this a more thorough listen at my desk, Hang On to Your Love is great and it blended in when I wasn't devoting my full attention to the album. When Am I Going to Make a Living, another one I missed when I wasn't paying attention.
smooth
Rating: 8.5/10 So damn smooth, the best songs are incredible and have fantastic instrumentals, vocals, and production. The rest are definitely more generic, still have some nice instrumentation but no where near the quality of highlights. Favorite songs: Smooth Operator, Your Love Is King, Hang On To Your Love, Cherry Pie, We Can't Live Together. Worst song: Frankie's First Affair.
Cleaned the house and felt like I was in an episode of Miami Vice the entire time....would listen again.
The hits are better than expected, but the rest kind of dragged.
A very sensual, smooth album. Sade has a great voice but the musicians (esp. the rhythm section) are great too. Great to chill.
It's background music.
Flawless.
bleh
Groovy
Slow and elegant but not sure I'll give it another listen
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.
Actively avoided this throughout the '80s as I figured it did not sound much like Duran Duran. So it proved when it finally caught up with me today; apart from the ubiquitous first couple of tracks it leaves the impression of very high quality wallpaper. Smooth Operator is the exception, geographic accuracy notwithstanding
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.
At first I thought this would be a terrible album, but it actually has redeeming musicianship. All the songs are very smooth. I likely would've given this album a 2 if it weren't for Smooth Operator and Sally. Sally is definitely the best song on the album with incredible saxophone playing. As a debut album, this is incredible. Props to her, I can see why people enjoy listening.
Smooth as hell
Smooth operator and hang on are great! Sade has an inherent coolness that makes you feel cool listening, and then there you are being all cool with a cool head bob on your cool commute, crushing it
I had a buddy in the service that played this record almost on repeat and I would get a little irritated at hearing it so many times. The reality is that this is a good record and hearing it again I was nostalgic, I need to give my friend a call.
Absolutely loved this. Soft mellow sound of Sade. I would put this more in the genre of soft jazz linked with a touch of soul rather than pop and soul. The album is more sophisticated to warrant coming under the genre of pop. Brilliant. Loved it.
Definitely got some smooth vocals, but this isn't my taste any more than it was in the 80s.
3/5
The kind of music I expect to be playing in an empty hotel foyer at 1:30am
I'm torn between a 4 and 5. It's really good. I just don't think people get how good it is.
A very nice, easy listening album
Not bad.
I don't agree with the reviews that thought this is artificial or lacks feeling. I did find it boring but I don't think it's fair to say there is nothing here of artistic or musical merit.
Uninspired, generic, canned smooth Soul.
I love "Smooth Operator". The rest of the album is okay - not overly inspiring but would be great background music for a candlelit dinner....
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.
I love it
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-Jazz-Chillout-Lounge-Music umschmeichelt meine Ohren, während ich nach einem freien Platz an der Bar suche. Heute Live-Musik lese ich auf einem Plakat. Ich drehe mich um und... Scheiß auf die Bar denn da steht Wow! Die Augen siegen über die Ohren und ich stürme nach vorne :)
the sexiest elevator music you'll ever hear and i mean this in the most positive way possible. this music is so damn pretty. mixing rnb, bossa nova, and vocal pop, sade has created an album worthy of praise and preservation. it is the sheer epitome of class; absolutely spectacular.
Smooth Operator 3.4 Your Love Is King 3 Hang On to Your Love 3.1 Frankie's First Affair 3 When Am I Going to Make a Living 2.9 Cherry Pie 3.2 Sally 3.1 I Will Be Your Friend 2.8 Why Can't We Live Together 2.6 Score: 3.011111111
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.
You need to listen to Diamond Life removed through the prism of emerging yuppie shit that was taking hold at the time. This is a product of the Ldn Nu Jazz that was coming up from the clubs, and not twats wearing red glasses. Sure, it's highly polished. But that's the appeal. Clean living under difficult circumstances, etc.
The fact that Sade doesn’t rhyme with Suede makes me sad HL: “Smooth Operator”, “Hang On To Your Love”, “When Am I Going to Make a Living“, “I Will Be Your Friend”, “Why Can’t We Live Together” July 12, 2024
Admittedly, I am pretty allergic to the 80s bass tones and keyboard featured here. I am also struggling to decouple “smooth operator” from the office slow jams and hold music that have embraced it over the years. When I imagine this album under different textures I (only) kind of like the vocals, grooves and lyrics.
I would put this on for my gran when she comes round.
Really liked it. Great vocals, great jazz influences, and the beat made me move.
Uma experiência musical que transcende o tempo e continua a encantar. A voz suave e envolvente da Sade combinada com as melodias envolventes fazem desse álbum uma obra-prima, que a sua mistura única de soul, jazz e R&B demonstram todo seu explendor nas músicas como "Smooth Operator" e "Your Love is King"
Strangely, I can listen to 70s soft rock but have always hated the stuff from the 80s. Maybe because I hit puberty in 1982 and started listening to the Clash and the Stones. In any event, I still can't listen to this. It's like hotel art - so carefully crafted to be inoffensive that it drives me mad. Top-notch production tho.
I enjoyed her voice very much
Enjoyable listen - nice and smooth. I don’t really have anything else to say on this.
When I got this album I was kind of dreading listening to it. It's not really my kind of music, but I wound up enjoying it. It's not something that I would go out of my way to listen to, but is very pleasant background music.
Very cozy ...
Silky smooth music and vocals. There's nothing particularly mindblowing about this album, but is is very much easy listening. Very chill. I've seen a lot of negative reviews complain about sax solos, but I'm quite fond of a saxophone solo, even though I don't care much for most jazz elements. Smooth Operator is the most memorable track for me, but that's probably because of Carlos Sainz.
Yesterday was '80s jazz-rock and today we follow that up with '80s jazz-pop. This isn't bad or anything, but it kind of sounds like what you'd expect for the soundtrack at a dimly-lit hotel bar filled with out-of-town business execs. Sade has a nice enough voice and the mid-tempo jazzy beats are more or less enjoyable to listen to, but I don't think this is really going to stick with me at all. This does have a pretty different sound than a lot of what else was coming out at the time though, so credit to them for that. Favorite song: Your Love Is King Other: Smooth Operator, When Am I Going To Make a Living, Why Can’t We Live Together 7/7/24
BANGER ALERT BANGER ALERT
Now I can answer the trivia question: who sang Smooth Operator. I don't like her voice. She sounds like a female Boy George, whih confuses my genitals.
A really great album, especially a debut release. Loved it when it came out and it still holds up after almost 40 years.
This album was super groovy. Definitely not a jazz album but jazz pop fusion with a lot of soul! Smooth Operator is a classic and I was dancing to a lot of the songs on this project. 8.5/10
Sade, the woman who marked an entire generation, because not everyone might have admitted they liked her music, everyone kept listening when one of her songs was being played on the radio. Should be 5 🌟 but to be fair to other artist, I will give her 4 1/2 instead. But what a joy to listen to this week.
Lækker!! Fantastisk stemme!!
Måske lige en anelse for smooth men godt nok lækker produktion ellers. En del gode numre. Jeg ville ikke have ofret den på en zombie (og jeg har faktisk pladen!)
🤷
Never listened to this before, but this was incredible.
Smooth Operator is a great opening track, but it didn’t really go anywhere from there. Nice and relaxing, but felt like I was listening to multiple versions of the same song over and over.
Enjoyed Smooth Operator, rest of the album was fine but not my thing.
It was ok, last songs into was far too long though
Smooth Operator is a really enjoyable song but also completely forgettable. Same with the rest of this album. It just didn’t feel really special or interesting.
Smooth operator is perfect, the rest of this album is deeply boring
forgettable
DNF. Light disco jazz. :(
Smooth. 5/5
Glad I liked Smooth Operator, because every song sounded just like it.
This was okay. I’ve never really liked Sade though.
This was new to me, really enjoyed it.
Super weak sauce.
Gear: Hifiman Arya Artwork: 💎+ Mix: 💎+ Musik: 💎= Wertung: 💎💎💎/5
That voice That production Those backing vocals That sax 4
Album 455 of 1001 Sade - Diamond Life Rating : 4 / 5 I've had this one around for a long time and have always enjoyed it. Love the beat...love the sax...love her vocals. Good tunes. Another old friend I hadn't heard from for a while.
Sooooo sultry. Sade's voice is so warm and enticing. This is great. But not perfect. After the first two songs, the rest mostly blur together. But there's not much out there like this. It's sultry without being cheesy lite jazz (fine line). 4 stars. (And Sade has better albums. Great debut though.)
Вау, неожиданно очень неплохо.
The only bad thing about this is the endless copycats that have tried to copy it. But this is gold!
If you not fuckin’ with this u r just a misogynist sorry I did not make the rules
Unoffensive and well executed but does not sound groundbreaking today
A solid, groovy, funky LP
rich vocal performance. 💄🍬🤎☕👗 no highlights for me as this album gelled together so seamlessly. see also: tidal (fiona apple, 1996); kopiko coffee lollies; smooth 91.5fm.
Smooth
This was a decent album. Very vibey. Sade's voice is great as always and there's some cool guitar work. It got a little too smooth jazz for me at times, and some of the songs started to run together. I prefer Love to this album. I wouldn't mind having this on as background music, but I don't know if I'd seek it out much for an active listen. 3/5 but would give a 3.5 if I could.
Gorgeous gorgeous vocals, perfect sunny day walk album - your love is king tops them all, amazing song.
Lovely, but very monotonous
smoooooothhhhhh operator
Comfy listening. It's like she's singing with a very low falsetto. One classic song and a bunch of others I never really heard.
Smooth lounge music, but that's about it.
I have a soft spot for Sade, Sade Abu voice and that 80's smooth jazz sound.. It just hooks me in. It's odd there's quite a few other bands with that Sax up 80's sound that I just can't get into. Hang on to Your Love... Ughh what a song. Love Deluxe is another excellent album.
It’s very good 80’s smooth jazz record. I do like Sade’s sexy smooth voice and the sound of this record. But ultimately I don’t find it especially memorable.
Fine. Not sure i'd listen to it again.
Wasn't really a fan of this one. It's not a music style I like to start with, and outside of Smooth Operator, I didn't really have anything here that I found enjoyable. Not for me, but maybe good for someone else.
Smooth jazz is a little easier on the ears now than it was when I first heard this as a kid. But it's still pretty shruggy for me.
Smooth Operator, enough said. On top of that - Sade has a beautiful voice and incredible style. I'll admit that O would have to losten to this album more, to properly appreciate it, but as of right now, a very solid 4.
STANDOUTS: Smooth Operator OVERALL: 3/5
Not good
smooth
Smooth operator was never my favorite. It’s nostalgic, so I’ll usually listen, and her voice is excellent. I just can’t reconcile that this album just sounds soooo 80s….Still the songs are catchy and inoffensive.
Smooth. Very well done.
Smooth indeed.
Sounds ahead of it's time.
Day 16 - June 17, 2024 Does it remind me of elevator music? Yes. But is it a great album? Also yes. 4/5
So dreamy
Instantly transported to sitting in the dentists office waiting room in the 80s.
She is wonderful in soft jazzy love songs, but their thematic sameness can wear on you.
Very smooth listen, I dig.
Smooth Operator Your Love Is King
3.5★ Sensuous, seductive, somber, sober, subtle—suave and sophisticated even its most emotional—but also a little humdrum, both with the somewhat repetitive lyrics and the sonic flatline. I wish it was just a little darker—it would go a long way.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I expected I'd rate it a 1 or 2, but the sax has me leaning 2 or 3. Overall, it doesn't hold my attention. But under the right conditions, darkly lit jazz club at 2 am, I'd feel the vibe more.
Ha this was fine, not my cup of tea at all. It was not bad by any means, but certainly not essential.
So lusciously smooth indeed. Sultry saxy Sade! I had The Best of Sade CD back when, but haven't listened in a long time. A lovely trip back.
This would typically be my thing. I don't know exactly why...it is pleasant, but somehow never really appreciated Sade's sound. This listen had me a bit more entertained, but the real reason that I am giving it a 5 is because if I don't, then I may find myself divorced sleeping out in the cold.
I would never choose to listen to this but it's nice. No real complaints, just not my favorite.
I LOVE this album! I added this to my cassette collection in my first Columbia House membership (10+ albums for $1!) - and it was not the kind of thing I would be expected to buy. It was love at first listen. Just the thing for lounging on a bearskin rug drinking a hot toddy while the snow piles up outside. Smooth Operator is one of the greatest songs of the 80s… and Sade’s album is a perfect way to deliver it.
feel like this is what the style council tried to be
Nothing wrong with this. Nothing great either.
It takes a real mix of guts and pure narcissistic arrogance to put your all time total banger as the first track on an album. Surely it’s a recipe for disaster? Not for Sade - she doesn’t stop throwing out bangers. What an album! 4.8
Smooooth.
This was a lot better than I was expecting. Usually there's a big drop off when the album leads with a hit single, but all the tracks were really consistent throughout. Real musicians playing real instruments, great vocals, no bullshit auto tuning. People who give this album a low rating couldn't get laid at a swingers convention in Vegas.
A nice, vibey album. I could get down with this, and did. Another album I kinda wish I had on vinyl, as it would really set the mood. What mood you ask, I’ll let you decide that one. That said, Smooth Operator is clearly the front runner on this album. It shines the brightest, and the rest of the album doesn’t match that first song.
This album is gorgeous. Full stop.
So this is the person who sings that “Smooth Operator” song! Ultimately, this was a really good album that got my Sunday morning started. It didn’t blow my mind or anything, but it was very relaxing, smooth, lush, and chill. I don’t really see myself going back to this album in the future, but I don’t regret listening to it either. So I guess I would say it was middle of the road.
A very relaxing listen. I'm not one for an entire album of love/longing songs, but I think the smoother tone of the album at least keeps it interesting enough. Decent, but probably not something I'd rush to come back to. Top tracks: Smooth Operator, Your Love is King, Why Can't We Live Together
It's pretty. It's soulful. But it moves me not. Sorry Lady Sade. 1 Star.
I think this is the perfect album of this genre. It’s a great example pf the fact that you can build a song around a groove or a simple chord structure but you also need the melody to do the heavy lifting. Take note every artist basing their career on albums written on a computer since 2001
Well crafted pop music. Just not my thing
Boppin bass lines.
Strong start but lags
While I had heard of the name Sade before, I had never had a proper listen to any of her albums, and boy was I missing out. Her smooth voice is a top-notch example of soul and the jazzy instrumentals make me feel like I'm in the middle of a rainy city night in a old-school film noir. The saxophone work in this album alone puts this album into the upper echelon of records I've heard in this project thus far. Sade will absolutely be a repeat listen for me again in the future based on this effort. Notable Tracks: Smooth Operator** Your Love is King Frankie’s First Affair When Am I Going To Make A Living Sally 9/10
So polished that it's kind of boring and nothing really stands out. Highlights: "Your Love is King" (classic 80s sexy sax solo), "Why Can't We Live Together" (the bongos are cool)
I found zero enjoyment in this. I also cannot stand pop sax.
Smooth music and sound.
Great listen all the way through!
Smooth operator is the only slightly good song.
auditory butter
Meh
buiten de singles die gewoon goed zijn, is de rest eigenlijk meer van het zelfde... gepolijste 80s rock
I'm very familiar with the first song. Easy to listen to; similar to jazz.
Smoooooth
Inoffensive adult contemporary with an R&B flair. Not really my thing but a nice change from classic rock and she has a nice voice.
Not for me
Every song is a banger
Was okay not my cup of tea, listened right through - background music
Not a musical style I'll actively listen to (too shmooove for me), but Sade does have a great soulful voice.
What a cool album. It's no wonder it's always listed as one of the best to come out of the 80's. The only thing that would make it possible for me to dock any stars is just that it's not the exact type of music that personally moves me, but I can't knock her for that. Great stuff!
"Smooth Operator" es un clásico, esa canción por sí sola sostiene el disco casi es su totalidad.
Rach found it highly amusing that I pronounced this artist’s name as “sayd”. How was I supposed to know she is “shar-day”? Anyway, I can appreciate this smooth jazz pop for what it is, but it brings back too many memories of 17 year old me working in Pizza Hut where Smooth Operator seemed to play ten times per hour. I would probably enjoy this more if not for that, but here we are. It is a pleasant background album once getting past that song though.
Smooth operator
good
When this came out it seemed so cool because it was different than the other music played on MTV. It’s still a nice, laid-back listen but it sounds very 80s,
Laid back pop jazz. Really deep and introspective themes with light smooth jazz movements throughout the album. Really easy listening, great for cooking or reading or maybe even baby making. But, not worth deep contemplation. Also, Smooth Operator a timeless banger became a fuckin' tik tok song and it was hard to enjoy. At least there was 8 other tracks to jam out to.
Nice
Sade is such a great artist, can't say I'd listen to this album on repeat (too unvaried and jazz-like), but still a beautiful collection of songs.
Safe is always a 5 star tf
very nice soulful, smooth, and jazzy sounds. personally some songs felt that they went on too long but overall good production and stunning vocals.
too slow and mellow for my liking
Well this seems like a polarising album. I think it's OK. Very much does exactly what it sets out to do.
i'm 6yo, it's sunday morning, sun is shining through the window, my dad puts this on while making breakfast, the world is okay
Loved every track, wouldn't be able to listen to it always but "When am I going to make a living" definitely is in my liked songs rotation now
So schön, besonders der letzte Song auch, den kannte ich noch nicht
Loved this since it first came out.
Beautiful voice and musical style. Lyrically stuck heavily on love songs which are good but not amazing.
Better than I thought it would be.
This whole album is just so smooth
Just straight up boring
Smoooooth operatooooor 2/3***
Smooooth
Unique, soulful sound. One of a kind.
One of Sade’s classics
This album has this weird sexiness to it. Maybe it's the tone in her vocals. Jazzy, loungey, easy listening. The brass in this record is great. But Sade is where this album shines. Her vocal performance is a solid 9/10. Overall, her vocals were great. But this album is definitely not for me. Happy to have listened. Don't need to revisit it though as it sits well as background music.
Smooth and has plenty of classics. Sade's singing is great and the production is consistent, but I wish it had a little more edge to it.
I like this about as much as I'm ever bound to like a hybrid of smooth soul and sophisto-pop. Which is still not very much. 2.5/5
Is Sade a solo act? A Group? Whatever, she’s one smooth mechanic.
This was pretty sweet. Definitely interested in listening to more