Reviews (page 11 of 13)
Ziemlich Ruhig aber schön! Ich würde es aber eher als Hintergrund Musik hören
Nice and smooth (operator).
Would be rad playing in a party under conversation, but focusing on it revealed few secrets or rewards.
Well I normally hate 80s albums and Sade did get a bit of a reputation as coffee table/dinner party/wine bar music but you know its pretty fine. Her voice is great and the the production is not like s typical 80s album. 3.5
Decent.
Not bad
sade's diamond life was absolutely a pleasant and smooth listen. the jazz undertones, especially with that horn (!), is what made for such a smooth ride. there were no bad songs, because it was such easy listening. but at the same time it made for good background music, it was too uniform and it blended too much together. i wish there was something to make it stand out more. ultimately, an average album.
Another artist that I had heard OF, but not actually HEARD. This album was beautifully sung and recorded, but ultimately a bit uninspiring for me. It was pleasant enough to listen to, but was just very middle-of-the-road. I will say, "Your Love is King" is an exception to that statement -- this song really struck me and I couldn't wait to go back and listen to it again. The album closer, "Why Can't We Live Together", also had its own very unique vibe and passion that resonated with me, leading me to look at it as a standout song from the album. Really, all of this was easy enough and unoffensive to listen to, just also not particularly remarkable. This is probably a 2.5+ for me, so rounding it up to 3.
Pretty solid 80s pop album.
it's ok, sounds like something you would have sex to.
It was good but it all kinda sounded the same
Classy stuff. Not something I'd race to put on, but I was and would be happy to listen to it (and found I enjoyed it more if I really listened than as background music). It was starting to get a bit same-samey through most of the 2nd side, but then the last track was enjoyably different.
The best tracks on this are the opening 2 tracks, both killer singles in their day & still holding up very well, track 3 (Hang On To Your Love) & the last track, a cover of a song by American r’n’b singer Timmy Thomas, Why Can’t We Live Together. The other 5 tracks are not quite as good, but, put them all together & the album flows quite well. I was really only familiar with the first 3 tracks, but thought the LP was a pretty good listen.
ok but not great
Not my usual fare, but it's hard to go wrong with Sade. She's got a fantastic voice, and "Smooth Operator" is a classic.
Solid
Smoooooth (operator).
Sade y otro disco con Groove y buenas vibras. Las letras no me matan, pero no son malas, tiene una voz espectacular, las melodías son hermosas y el remate del disco se lo da la delivery de la artista que es excepcional. Por mas de que ninguna canción me cansó me precio bueno pero tirando a medio.
Now this is the 80s
Smooth and sexy is how I would describe Sade. Her voice is incredible and pretty unique. Mot for everyone and some of the songs seem to similar. The First three songs are best, Smooth Operator, Your Love is King and Hang on to your love. Pretty sure if you're going to get laid, you're already into it by the 3rd song. If not, no loving for you. Special shout out to the remake of Warrant's Cherry Pie. Sounded entirely different than the original. Haha. My wife really liked some Sade back in the college days. I encouraged her to be a special guest on our album review. She declined, but she's still awesome! First 3 songs are 3-4. Rest is a lot of, yea, this is OK. 2.5 for me. Will score a 3 because I thought of college and my beautiful Mindy
Smooth Operator, what a banger! Loving her voice so much! It sounds exactly like my Finnish musician friend. I never knowingly listened to Sade other than hearing Smooth Operator of course. Now I'm really enjoying the sax and her voice and passion, amazing. Very relaxing and sophisticated. I'm not so hooked after Smooth Operator though I'm a bit bored zoning out. Overall it's creating a good vibe and feeling but not exactly capturing my imagination.
Apparently, I should start 2023 with an extensive 80s vibe. Nothing so much special about this one. Good vibes, the first song is nice and memorable, but nothing else is a particular highlight for me.
Bien, mais pas vraiment marquant.
One of the, if not the most recognizable smooth pop, soul, funk female voices! Sade has a beautiful warm, tender voice. She pens down great catchy hooks and has a solid band supporting her. Key tracks: Smooth Operator, Your Love Is King, Hang On To Your Love, When Am I Going To Make A Living, Cherry Pie, Why Can't We Live Together 7.5 out of 10
Enjoyable enough. Not amazing.
Nice not too crazy tho
There is no question that Sade has an amazing voice, it is just a pity that she is backed by what sounds like lift music. The arrangements on this album have really dated, which is a shame really
A nice voice and some great tracks, bit as an album i found it kinda up and down.
helt bra men de klicka int helt me mig
Omg…. Såååååååå chillllll
Kool
Its starts off really nice, but drops off a bit badly
Nudne, 2.5/5
It ess OK
A pleasant background album but nothing extremely memorable here for me Saved tracks: Smooth Operator, When Am I Going to Make a Living, I Will Be Your Friend
Not as polished as I remember, she sounds so young!
Muito legal, me lembrou música nacional boa. 7/10
80's smooth contemporary music. Classic voice.
first listen kinda sleepy, not the worst 80s record i've heard
Smooth
Solid
This was nice and relaxing. One of those albums where nothing really stuck with me but the spotify radio that came on after the end was pretty good.
Pretty decent, starts out strong
Soul. Un megahit. Se me ha hecho bola. Un 3.
Bah, normal. Agradable. Electro-R&Balternative R&Belectronica.
Sade was a good singer. I like the songs "Smooth Operator" and "Your love is king".
1001 Albums is part of my morning drivetime routine. Would have loved to listen to Sade after dark. Mood would have been more intimate. Still lovely to listen.
Meh
Hasn’t track 1 come up on the show multiple times?
The first half is great, but then it tapers off. Overall still good. 3.5/5
Ok… i dont know
Love Deluxe is better
Pretty good
Good hang monday, cold and bad at work, cha cha real smooth
Decent
gostei mas as músicas são muito parecidas
good but tiring eu daria 3,5/5 se desse pra fazer isso
I should like this more than I do. Too much of it sounds the same.
A bit too smooth for me. ; doesn't really stick either. Good background music. Sooth operator is quite catchy though
really nice. will be going back to a couple of songs on here for sure. something id like even more if i was in the mood for it
On one hand, I wonder if this is elevator music that I'm listening to. On the other, it sort of works on me [but what does that imply about me?]. I guess I've been conditioned to like Smooth Operator. P.S. Not the most, how shall I put it, modern album in terms of lyrics, is it?
Such a beautiful voice, such a great singer. It's impossible not to be hooked when she sings the line, "Coast to coast, LA to Chicago..." The other songs on the album are solid, but nothing too outstanding. 3 stars.
Close between a 2 and 3 for me. I liked it on the first listen but was a little boring coming back the second time, might just be nostalgia for me from high school. Compositions are not super interesting but I do love the horn work on this album. Her voice is very relaxing and nice, good music to work to. Favourite songs: Smooth Operator, Cherry Pie
Chill album with some classics, all in all not something I would generally listen to but enjoyable none the less
First time listening to this album. One of a kind voice. Favorite track is ‘When Am I Going To Make A Living’.
it wasn’t bad, it just didn’t really catch my eye.
Well the singles are the singles, there's no denying the production (gets a star) it's is as good as it gets, it worked as background while I did dishes and tidied up the living room, but didn't inspire me to do it quickly, by the end I was happy when Ozzy osbournes voice kicked in on my regular spotify stream. wouldnt listen again, but wouldnt change the station if it cam e on the radio, would prefer to wear headphones if it was playing in the supermarket
Very smooth and very dated, with way too much saxophone for me. Good vocals, but not a lot else worth revisiting. Torn between 2 or 3, I will err on the side of generosity!
Diamond Life is the debut album by the band Sade. This soul/pop album contains elements of jazz, and can be classified in the sophisti-pop genre. This is a highly acclaimed album, because it won the 1985 Brit Award for Best British Album, has been certified 4 times platinum in the UK & US, and was the best-selling debut album by a lead British female vocalist. Diamond Life is an easy-listening album - perfect for a casual cocktail-lounge environment - as the soulful and jazzy, but poppy and funky beats will appeal to most listeners. This was a well produced album and I'm happy to have listened to it. If it wasn't for this site, I would've never heard this album.
I like Sade - but this record is basically Smooth Operator - and a few more A side tracks but not much more. It tapers quite a bit towards the end and from something special it turns into an easy listening 80a album.
Chill and nice, but beyond that it's just ok for me.
An enjoyable listen, mainly due to a strong melodic presence and powerful vocals from Sade. Some tracks (mainly those that lean heavily on the auto-wah) do feel a bit outdated, but most are still engaging and fresh enough to warrant a relisten.
huh. i mean. sure? i liked some of the music but i'll be honest, i think i'm lacking some of the language required for talking about it. like it's objectively good but i think my reaction to it warrants 3 stars? idk. actually it gets 3 stars for when am i going to make a living jumpscaring me.
Funky, really like the basslines, and keeps my attention, smooth operator is catchy as
Heerlijk relaxte muziek. Het nummer Smooth Operator is wel de knaller van het album, maar de rest is goed aan te hebben op de achtergrond.
Today I learned that "Sade" was/is the name of the group, not just the singer. Huh. I kinda hated this when it came out - then again i was a young teenager injecting non-stop Van Halen and Def Leppard into my veins so I didn't allow for this smooth neo-soul to enter into my consciousness. My loss - this is pretty excellent - I appreciate and actually like it way more than I used to and it's wonderfully produced. Personal favourite: "Cherry Pie" - that little echo guitar fill is gold. 7/10 3+ stars
A pretty good album. I enjoyed the instrumentals and her voice. There wasn't a ton of substance to the songs, but I don't really think there needed to be. I really enjoyed it while I was listening, but now, a couple hours later, if you were to ask me my thoughts on it, I wouldn't really be able to come up with much that was memorable.
Production is really crisp "Smooth Operator" "Your Love Is King" are two nice album starters. I feel like there are a lot of nice songs on the album and only a few that stand out. I think that's kind of her thing though? Smooth and sultry R&B doesn't usually have big banger tracks. I do wish some of the tracks had more direction to them. Maybe a second half key change, a shift in major/minor tonality, or even instrument changes just to add some excitement.
So soft, so smooth
Was really enjoying the first three tracks and then it kind of fell off a cliff
3.3 - Relaxing, mellow soul with solid vocals.
Enjoyable, very smooth and listenable albeit nothing special
Another one I skipped because I wasn't in the mood. Doesn't sound nearly as 80s as I expected it to in 2022. maybe if i played it through my mum's kitchen radio then it would. It's a very nice sound - but it doesn't take long to fade into the background. samey. Frankies first affair was good. As was I will be your friend. Not very likely to come back to this often but it was good.
Solid album but it did not leave the biggest impression on me.
Soulful music, but not my favorite genre.
Honestly, I can't remember hearing any other songs by Sade between this album's Smooth Operator and their 1992 album's No Ordinary Love. But reading up on them, each album in that time (4 of them) plus their next one in 2000 were at least triple platinum. Wow. Maybe their sound was too steamy hot for radio? I still do not know jazz, or soul, so this album was just okay. I listened to it over and over, but I couldn't shake that it sounded like muzak with a very talented singer to boot. Admittedly, the lyrics are pretty good - it's not sex-based drivel but really complicated musings (listen closely to Smooth Operator, Frankie's First Affair, When Am I Going to Make a Living, and Sally). Put this on my list of potential future regrets but I couldn't get past 3.5.
(3/5) fue un buen álbum pero siento que ninguna canción es memorable, no hay nada que resalte ni que te haga recordarlo.
smooth. sleepy
Well done but not for me
Wish it was more compelling. Great voice, incredible bass lines. Not a whole lot more that grabbed me.
Smooth Operator is great, but the rest of the album doesn’t keep up.
Mä itseasiassa oon aina tykännyt tästä levystä vaikka tässä on nää siirappiset hetkensä. Mut onhan tää niin smoooooooooooth ettei tolkkuu. Todella kasari olematta sillai ihan liian huonolla tavalla kasari. Et esim jos tää levy olis turboahdettu huonoilla syntikoilla niin tää olis tosi raskas. Okei muutan mieleni: toi Timmy Thomas cover Why cant we live togetherista on niin hirvee että alennan pisteellä. 3/5
While I didn’t see much excitement with this album, I thought the vocal was unique and I enjoyed listening to this as an easy listening type album.
Para ser sincera, no esperaba mucho de este álbum, lo subestime mucho pero me lleve un gran sorpresa. Tiene una melodía que es simplemente buena a lo largo de todo el álbum
Not bad, but also not really my style of music.
Wasn't in love with it on the first listen, but I liked it more on the 2nd listen. I don't really have any touchpoint for this style of music. I enjoyed it, but probably not enough to revisit. 3.5/5
"Smooth Operator" is smooth indeed and the only song I know by her. Very catchy and a great voice. Not really my thing generally but enjoyable enough for sexy-time-soul. Bassline in "Hang On to Your Love" is sick.
Despite my appreciation for R&B/soul/jazz, I never totally got into Sade. Giving this a spin, I kind of see the appeal, but it’s not especially for me. I can get behind bits of quiet storm, but it’s just not a sound that I can spin for a full LP. I’ll give it credit for some solid jazzy interludes and killer vocals, but I don’t think I’ll ever fully get into them. Solid C
Smooth Operator was a hit when I was younger. I enjoyed listening to the whole album.
Diamond Life by Sade (1984) With prominent bass lines and soulful jazz/pop arrangements, lead vocalist Sade Adu delivers sensuous sound layered over rhythms that are easy on the ears. Her voice is not strong enough to dominate, but it’s disciplined enough to carry melodies with confidence. Lyrically unremarkable, Sade’s themes treat of the ups and downs of love, with enough standard advice to help keep the listener on the straight and narrow. Wholesome. Comfortable. Two tracks depart from this main theme: a closing cover of Timmy Thomas’ rather bland peace exhortation “Why Can’t We Live Together” and Sade Adu’s excellent “Sally”, a moving and redemptive paean which celebrates the heroics of a woman who rescues the down and out in the ugly underbelly of New York, vicariously “doing our dirty work”, loving the lost on behalf of the rest of us. Musically, Stuart Matthewman provides funky guitar and smooth saxophone, but the bass playing by Paul Denman stands out, occasionally expanding scales and intervals enough to provide countermelodies that complement and amplify without distraction. This album is an easy listen, and it won’t start a revolution or transform your self image, but it’s suitable background for getting your stuff done. No excuses. 3/5
Smooooooooth operator
Prefs: Smooth Operator, Frankie's First Affair, When Am I Going To Make A Living Moins pref: I Will Be Your Friend
When this album originally hit the airwaves I was so narrowly focused on rock, some mainstream, some not, but especially trying to avoid anything that wasn't rock on the radio. I have since expanded my musical palate and can appreciate this genre of smooth jazz that has a time and place. I always think of smooth jazz as a "pop"-gateway towards "real" jazz that introduces the masses to how potentially commercial this music can be. For me Sade was my introduction to smooth jazz and listening now I can't say I don't like it. Again, it has a time and place and if you want to create a mood of romance and serenity, Diamond Life is definitely your record. Oh, and Valentines is coming up so cue up your Sade albums. Smooth operator, indeed.
Very pleasant. Never heard the whole album
I like many of the tracks, but it's the nostalgia thing again - my parents frequently played this album. Good tunes, but overall felt dated, 80s bossa nova lounge kinda dated.
Cool lounge album from the 80s.
SMOOOOOOTH OPERATOR!!!! #CS55 Also enjoyed 'Cherry Pie' but that was pretty much it
Enjoyed it but probably not something I would listen to again
Almost as smooth as me
Bueno
Relaxing
In fact, despite being a not-so-special album(for a MUST LISTEN 1001), it's an album I enjoy listening to. Probably because of my love for the saxophone sound and her voice. (6/10) FT: Smooth Operator, Your Love is King , Sally
Leuk ni echt mijn ding, beetje flauw
This is probably the most dated thing I’ve heard on here. In a good way. It makes me want to meet glamorous women in hotel bars and drink cocktails. Her voice is surprisingly rough though, I assumed it would be silky smooth, but she strains when she extends her range. Oddly felt like a Karaoke version of Steely Dan.
Rating: 6.5/10 Some very good funky songs on this album.
6/10
Possessed of a stunning voice, Sade sounds crystal clear and note perfect: and maybe that’s the problem. A little less polish, a little more grit and maybe these tracks would sound a more vivid; overall, then, a disappointment, notwithstanding that the opening two tracks are quality pop singles.
Riktig stämningshöjare! Bra, homogent sound på hela skivan. Väldigt lounge-jazzigt och lekfullt generellt. Smooth Operator och Why Can't We Live Together var bäst. Sammantaget ett riktigt härligt bakgrundsalbum med rejäl 80-talsvibe.
Not unlike the operator in the opening track this album is impossibly smoooooth. The best tacks are the afore mentioned Smooth Operator and the closing track Why Can't We Live Together. These two tracks book end a syrupy smooth collection that is perfect dinner party music. Ultimately a little too polished to get to 4 for me. 3.5 stars
Slick well-crafted pop. 6/10
Liked this! Very easy to listen to
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I went in with no expectations and no knowledge and I found myself really digging it. Admittedly I am a sucker for brass instruments so that helps. If I could go 3.5 I would.
Still amazes me that "your love is king" has more plays than "Smooth Operator" on this album on spotify. Rest of the album was okay, but I wouldn't go out of my way to listen again. 3.5/5 but rating it a 3 as I definitely don't think it's 4 material.
I saw the cover, and thought "Ah, an artist and album I've never heard anything about, here we go" and then I saw 'Your love is King' and thought "Oh yeah I can get onboard with this". And indeed, I can very much get very onboard with this. Go Sade. Really wanted to turn it off halfway through though. Hitting it with a 3 as it's all a bit too samey for me but really enjoying the smoothness of this.
Pretty good
Soul. Un megahit. Se me ha hecho bola.
Is ok
I like it a lot more than I expected to. Sade's voice is fierce and sexy!
80s, sultry, a little hard to take seriously personally
Very smooth indeed and enjoyable. The sac was in trend back then and it shows, but here it’s used in a nice not so much overused way
Knew of smooth operator but never knew the artist. Pretty good album. A few songs were repetitive and slow but it evened out with the first two that were substantially better. It’s a good album that’s a easy listening r&b. 6.0/10
I sit in the global coffeehouse, second hand smoke atop first. Frasier Crane sends me a drink. I resolve to later memorialise him as a neon statue.
Ajoittain tempaisi tunnelmaan. Ei ihan paska vaikkei soittolistoille tule nousemaan.
Ehjä levykokonaisuus. Ykkösraita toki loppuunsoitettu, mut kyllä sen tässä yhteydessä kuunteli ja loppulevy oli vähintäänkin miellyttävä
Me gustó mucho más de lo que esperaba. Conocía Smooth Operator pero nada más de ella y la fue muy agradable escucharlo. Muy meloso pero sin llegar a cansar, puedo volver a escucharlo aunque seguramente no se volverá mi género favorito. 3.5 estrellas que bajan a 3 porque aunque agradable, tampoco me parece revolucionario ni sobresaliente. Songs: When Am I Going to Make a Living, Hang On to Your Love, Smooth Operator
3 1/2
Je tiens a saluer le travail effectué par Robert depuis que mon camarade d'ecoute robpeucher l'a alerté sur la baisse de qualité des albums du generateur. En effet, nous sommes gâtés ces derniers jours, même si je me doute bien que dès l'instant ou je presserai la troisième étoile, afin d'attribuer à cet album une très belle note de 3/5 (le système de notation n'ayant toujours pas changé, une étoile égalant 1/5, deux étoiles 2/5 etc etc), un nouvel album de rock completement oubliable fera son apparition.
Fantastic voice. But really, apart from the singles, the album was a bit samey
Bah, normal. Agradable. Electro-R&Balternative R&Belectronica. Un 3
I liked the way that she told stories with her lyrics in Sally, Cherry pie, When am I going to make a living, etc. Kind of a sexual album
Smooth operator un folded a mini memory tucked away in my brain. Pretty cool
People do be having sex
Musical equivalent of wallpaper.
fine
Non offensive background music. Is this what easy listening is?
Diamond Life's music is silky smooth and enjoyable to the point that I was pretty frequently bummed when the songs faded out in the middle of the group's musicians picking up business. Sade's a talented vocalist, but on top of the lyrics being pretty generic love song fodder (though a few thematic diversions keep it from being as exhausting as Let Love Rule), I'm just not that into her voice on a lot of these tracks. If you threw someone like Chrissy Hynde on here, though, it'd be the sexiest shit on Earth. Key Tracks: Smooth Operator, Hang On to Your Love, When Am I Going to Make a Living
3/5
Just okay. Pretty run of the mill 80s rnb pop. Smooth operator is obviously a classic. Nothing really bad but not much really caught my attention either aside from maybe Cherry Pie. Wouldn’t turn it off if it was on, but wouldn’t be the one to put it on.
I like it but nearly every song sounds the same.
Get the cultural importance, but not my cup of tea
Fine, a bit samey and borin
If I was scoring a movie in the 80's and there was a sex scene, I'd definitely try to license a track or two off this album. Also, Smooooooth operator.
I recognize that this is good music, but it's just not my bag. It's not bad ('cept for that 'why can't we live together' song, Jesus tits that's bad), I don't mind listening to it so much, but wouldn't go out of my way to do so.
-Smooth Operator was nice -Hang on to your Love is catchy -I like the baseline in Cherry Pie Perfectly fine, just not my style
Decent album of smooth jazz. A few strong tracks, led by 'Smooth Operator.' Glad I listened to it, but would not put it into regular rotation.
Pretty good album, solid songs.
got some good songs in the middle
Enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. Nice and funky!
The music is very well played/sung and very well-produced. But it's slick and inoffensive to the point where there's nothing interesting about it. I can't really see this as anything else than background music.
A nice chilled listen!
Okay listening.
Enjoyed this a lot. Only listened once so not completely sure of this rating, but comfortable with a strong 3 Saved: Smooth Operator
pretty cool - love R&B - i guess this is that?
Nice, simple, unoffensive. Miss Sade has a nice voice to carry away with the music, but nothing ever feels like it sticks with me for more than a few seconds after. Sometimes it picks up and gets a little funky like Cherry Pie, but for the most part I'm just sorta vibing to the tunes.
Exceeded expectations
This album was pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of this genre of pop but I thought the vocals were incredible (obvi) and it was super fun to listen to.
Yesterday I worked on Penthouse coordination items. Setting details to penetration and realigning keynotes on our demo sheets. Sade was a nice group to listen to and I am always motivated by Jazz tunes. I looked up some of there videos on Youtube and they also have some captivating performances.
R&B soft rock. meh. She has a cool unique vocal sound tho. good bass parts.
good vocals - someone will like it - not for me
Just not my style :)
I liked "Sally". I like listening to Sade's music, but the album was aight.
Está dos trenzas pero el disco entero igual si enfada
Nice
nice, but a touch too loungy for my taste : 2.5
Smooth Operator
enjoyable album!
Smooth 80s sax/synth vibes
Not bad but I like more of her other work than this. Except Smooth Operator is pretty tops. Definitely would play this again though, but only during “sexy time”.
Lo tuve que escuchar varias veces porque no estaba seguro si era un cuatro o un cinco, y luego lo escuché tanto que ya no sabía si era un tres o un cuatro.
Pretty good. Decent baselines.
Very all over the place, 4 parts that let each instrument shine Devided into the ear speakers with clear distinction where each instrument would be in the room, which can be tiresome after a while when one instrument is just having a solo If you like jazz it's probably definitely for you
Smooth Operator ist der beste Song auf der Platte, mochte ich schon immer. Ansonsten durchschnittlich, nervt mich dafür aber nie.
SMOOOTHHH OPERATOOOOR
Nice change of pace.
Pretty chill R&B album, liked it. DIdn't listen too hard but that's kind of the point. Enjoyed it, won't come back. 4/8, favorite song: Smooth Operator.
Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I did.
Har lyssnat liiite på Sade innan och tyckte det känts positivt då men nu var det ännu bättre. Gillade detta men några för tråkiga låtar för att det skulle bli en fyra.
Quite like it but not blown away. Will probably listen again.
Beautiful voice, still not my cup of tea.
It's not Erik Sade.
Pop/jazz/rnb, afslappende, følsomt, Smooth Operator
Subdued bossa nova. Pleasant enough while it's on, just very... wallpaper, and all the songs are very, very similar. Favorite track: "Smooth Operator"
I've heard smooth operator before, the rest was new. It all sounds about the same as that song. Doesn't exactly blow the roof off, way softer than what I usually would listen to. I guess it's good for easy listening? It's basically elevator music. It didn't make my hangover worse, so that's a plus. And if that's Sade on the cover, yowser she is hot. 2.5/5.
Joda, "Smooth operator" er fin, men blir langtekkelig over et helt album.
Listened to it while running. Did not like it. It is a vibe, but none of the songs stood out.
I’m a Smooth Oper-hater so this one got off to a rough start. The whole first half of the album really just lives in that same area but around when we get to When Am I Going to Make a Living it really starts to find a better funky rhythm. Then it’s slips back into Smooth Operator territory a bit at the end. Glad I gave Sade a chance but this album is always going to be a skip a good chunk for me.
Goodness gracious this one was boring. Every time it seemed about to get interesting with a funky bassline or groovy guitar riff, it felt like someone suffocated it with a pillow to drag it right back into the monotonous mall music niche it was produced to fill. Nothing here is offensive, mind you, there just isn't enough to keep your attention or prevent it from sliding right into the background where it seems to want to be. I can see the appeal, I just don't feel it, and it slides in at a 2.5/5 that I don't care to round up.
sla, só curto smooth operator dela msm, toda a carreia dela parece uma sombra dessa única música.
Not really my speed
Not my cup of tea
I don't mind the smooth jazz, but does sound a little samey by the end of the album. Wasn't a fan of the vocals on the album, but wasn't sure if I just didn't like her voice or if it just didn't fit with the album. 2/5
Skuffende, for jeg kan godt lide Smooth Operator. Ikke nogen særligt god sangstemme, i hvert fald ikke i den her produktion. Og for meget porno-blød sax.
i realize her talent but it’s just not for me.
Love her voice. And love the lyrics on a few songs. I’ve never really listened to her much before, but I can see why she is treasured in the music world. That being said, this album is not something I’d intentionally reach for but I would definitely not be upset if I heard it playing overhead wherever I was.
Just got a bit samey, very sexy tho
Reminds me of working at CVS as a teenager, when the store played “Smooth Operator” every couple hours.
Nice background music and smooth operator is a classic, but I found myself mostly bored with this 2.5/5
Not a fan off this jazz soul type stuff. Obviously it's not shit, but there's nothing would make me want to check this out again. Dinner party 80s background music.
Just really not my thing, but it’s well done
Elevator muzak. Can’t stand it!
Too smooth for me. Like I know that sounds like a joke but it was
Woof
Pretty slow paced for my taste.
Not my cup of tea
For those feeling nostalgic. First steps of smooth jazz. And smooth whatever...
The greatest compliment I can give this is that it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I was expecting. I still never want to hear it again but it was not horrific.
I’d listen to it in the background, but didn’t do much for me lyrically.
Disappointed to get this album. Yeah it was a big hit and I can appreciate why people might like it, but definitely not for me. 2
Nothing bad about this album at all... but it all sounds like background music to me, the sort of thing to have on the sound system in an '80s wine bar while drinking colourful drinks in martini glasses and smoking pastel shaded Sobranie Cocktail cigarettes and having conversations about nothing.
Is this Sade or George Michael? They sound the exact same. It's not terrible. Very '80s. Good voice, decent musical style. Not on my top list, but it's not offensive.
This is exactly what I expected it to be, unfortunately. Some interesting stuff on here, but mostly just obnoxious.
Grows tired but my god she is beautiful
wow genuinely could not get past the first three tracks. iv'e only ever heard love deluxe and do like some of the songs on that record but damn this is disappointing.
Klinkt als iets wat ze enorm veel draaiden op radio1 in de jaren 90
I can see why some people like this but it’s just too synth poppy for me. 2.5
Garbage
Really not my thing
Eh. Listened to it while doing work which was a good vibe but lowkey liked the songs spotify played after it more.
The album starts off with the 2 hits but from then on it sort of meanders. Not the most interesting of albums unfortunately
An okay album with some nice background music but no memorable songs that I wanted to listen to again
The positive reviews of this record all talk about how smooth and easy it is which, if you think about it for a moment, is essentially highlighting how totally vacuous, derivative & undemanding this music is as though that's a good thing?
неплохой, красивый низкий голос, но песни не слишком запоминаются. добавила smooth operator, frankie's first affair, when am i going to make a living 2/5
Great first song. The rest reminded me of Chris Rea mixed with cruise ship music. But really great first song!
The everpresent saxophone makes it almost impossible for me to listen to this record. Sade‘s voice is the clear center, framed by pretty boring soul standard. Fav: Hang on to your love
Smooth'n'saxxy with a nice singing voice, but a rather dull listening experience overall.
Her voice is good, but the music is really annoying for me... Some nice moments, but, unfortunately, not an enjoyable moment for me at all
So. Very. smooth. Nice production values and surprised to see it was a 1984ish release. I would have said into later half of eighties as this was absolutely made for CD! I would compare it to a Dire Straits Bros in Arms - just in terms of production quality but more style than substance. Still it would have been a soundtrack to a thousand mid eighties dinner parties. I can only give it 2 stars as, apart from the singles at the front, i really struggled to make it through to the end.
Not for me
I mean, it’s OK. Boring. I guess it has an atmosphere that is sustained and very consistent. Chill to the point of vacuous. Not sure I see the point. Maybe there isn’t one.
Not really a fan of smooth jazz pop 90s 🤷♀️
Good looking girl with a nice voice phoning it in 1.5
Nice enough but not something I would regularly listen to. Background music really
Música de ascensor
"Smooth Operator" is a classic, and some of the other tracks on this album are mostly in the same in vain. A decent soft rock album. Highlights: "Smooth Operator"
noia
Smooth and slow. Didn’t hate jt but it also didn’t really draw me in.
I wasn't around for when this was popular, and frankly most of the appeal is lost on me. It's easy enough to listen to, just nothing here that makes it special to me.
first song good, rest mid
Very repetitive. Not my thing.
Nah I'm good...
20 - Sade - Diamond Life - Rating = 2 Opens with Smooth Operator… such a dated sound and soft-jazz… but this is a smoooooth song… gotta sort like it. Goes really soft jazzy from there… I can’t say it gets that interesting but it’s a sound… like the Sade sound… has a place, but not a big one. Much like other albums, the monster song really saves the record. Definitely not something I’d go to, but if it’s on at a cocktail party it certainly offends no one.
I'm definitely not gonna be a Sade fan, but happy to discover here more than ever before. I don't feel that CLASSIC quality, but the second half finally feels like something.
smooth operator is a classic, rest are not really memorable, but okay i guess
Dull. Repetative.
Slinky jazzy adult contemporary. Lots of Rhodes, fretless bass, sax, and bongos. Perfect for the elevator and retro boutique hotel lobbies. Nothing to complain about, but nothing particularly amazing either.
4/10 I just really dislike this. It's so smooth it is causes a kind of nausea on me. And so much bloody sax - yuck.
The sound of 1980s dock lands a warehouse redevelopments , too smooth too sweet too predictable. I’m being generous with 2 for the so gwriting
I'm not sure how smooth jazz has become such a running gag in music culture, yet Sade's snoozy-ass smooth soul music gets a pass. I'm sorry! I just find Diamond Life overwhelmingly polite, an adjective I never want to use to describe a soul album. all the elements of quality pop music are present here, but they're presented in a package I find kind of sterile. in undergrad, one of my music professors told me I had "the heartbeat of a hamster," which I felt a bit slighted by at the time, but I'm starting to understand what he meant. this challenge has made me realize how apathetic I am about albums where every song rolls along at more or less the same slow-to-medium tempos. the understated nature of Sade's voice, and her eponymous band's blends of soul and funk with a subtle undercurrent of jazz, are sort of the whole appeal. unfortunately, that's my main gripe with the album overall: it feels like elevator music. if I'm listening to soul music, I need you to hit me with everything you've got more than once per LP! actually, no. my main gripe is with the saxophone playing, which is uniformly garbage. I hate those scoops, the total lack of articulation, the tone that sounds like it has a sock in it, the vibrato that sounds like teeth chattering in the cold. any song without sax here is so much better for it. strong 3/10.
Ouais c'est un bon album mais pas pour moi.
Not my jam
Uncomfortably easy listening. Good thing about the streaming era is that now you don’t need to make an album full of filers if you really only have one song.
First is a classic, rest was just unmemorabe
Reading the reviews, I can see why people seem so split on this album. It has all of the trappings of yacht rock/easy listening but there's more going on under the surface than all that. Aside from Sade's great voice, the band does a great job comping and playing off one another, particularly the sax and keys. However, it's not that far under the surface. I find I mostly fall in with the "meh, boring" camp here. Like, I can tell this band doesn't have a drummer, because rhythm truly seems like an afterthought in this songwriting. That, and they really make you wait for those few nuggets of fun. It's just not for me. If you like this album and want something with a similar mid-80s vibe but musically WAY more interesting, just put on some Donny Benet and get 100x sexier.
27-28/02/26
Not bad and there are good songs, but it didn’t make any lasting impression.
too smooth 2 jazz
I was quite enjoying this at first, but every track was so similar. Probably a lot of them, including the album tracks, would work as stand alones, but as an album it didn't quite hit it for me.
This was fine. I love smooth operator. The other tracks sound similar but don’t hit the same for me. What is shocking is I thought this album sounded like it was from 89-90, but it’s from 1984. Crazily ahead of the curve.
Easy listening
Decent the first time. No need to listen again except smooth operator was fun because I already knew it
Didn’t love
Not my thing but still good music
I know this is good music but it’s just a little boring to me. I do love a sassy sax, though.
Great voice but meh
Smooth cool and jazzy. Feels so designed to sit in the background that it draws very little attention to itself. Pleasant enough, but otherwise unremarkable.
Smooth Operator Hang on to your Love When am I Going to Make a Living Cherry Pie
Smooth Operator Your Love is King When Am I Going to Make a Living
It's not personally my taste, but she does have that whole niche absolutely dialed right in.
Sade Adu as a person is a graceful seraphim walking among us mere mortals. That said, her band makes music that is utterly not my thing. Notwithstanding, someone's great aunt is sipping chardonnay somewhere near a marina at sunset listening to this sexy saxophone music on a dockside restaurant PA system, or leaning on a champagne-colored 1998 Chrysler Sebring convertible with the stock radio set on a smooth jazz station being caresses by some liver-spotted geriatric hands. And that great aunt is getting absolutely soaked with the whole experience.
2.5
2.5
It's fine. Good background music. Highly polished soul/pop. She's got a great voice, of course. Musicians are all solid. Sounds nice. 0 feelings stirred or generated.
It’s funky, there’s so much sax, it’s a good time, just not really my kinda vibe.
not my scene but appreciate iconic songs
Some catchy hooks, but it just doesn't resonate with me yet. I was hopeful this whole album that something would really impress me. Smooth sax just simply ain't my vibe. The use of the name Frankie for that song just doesn't work. So many lyrical choices are so cheesy and difficult to get through. The quality musicianship on the instrumental unfortunately can't do much to cover for that flaw. The hook and general vibe on When Am I Going to Make a Living is the best on the album so far. By a lot. I enjoyed this track enough. It's not all bad. I was hoping to be swung by one of these last few songs. Didn't quite happen. I respect the artistry, and I get why some people really enjoy this, but I am apparently not some people. It seems to land in this spot where to me it's easy to have on, but hard to listen to. 1.5/5
I really want to like Sade. She has an objectively lovely voice, but her music is dreadfully boring. I don't dispute that a list of 1001 albums to hear before you die should include Sade, but it just wasn't my thing.
Smooth, but that's kind of it?
I fell asleep multiple times while listening to it, but it wasnt bad
I can tell ”objectively” that it’s a great band. They do their thing and they’re great at it. I understand why so many people love Sade. But for me it’s too smooth and too stylish.
This album has the song "Smooth Operator". Described as "Sophisti-pop", this album is mellow in sound and non-controversial in topic since it's mostly about love and relationships. I feel like this album was ahead of its time in this genre but it's not for me. It reminds me of elevators and doctor offices.
Not a fan, composition is fine and mix is all good, clean and balanced. But man this didn’t age well to my ear, sounds like corporate music. Lyricism feels pretty uninspired to me, vocalist performance leans amateurish sounding to me- not particularly interesting or inspiring. Sax sounds good at times, a few melodic lines that are nice and satisfying but overall sounds like elevator music to me. Not for me.
Slightly better than lift music
Timing is everything I guess. Coming up in the list immediately following Kanye West this mediocre music sounds positively impressive by comparison- but she’s just another 1980s one hit wonder. Nothing more or less.
Smooth sound from Sade. First time listening but no real suprises for me. The album begins with the well known singles and the sound continues in same vein throughout. Late night music.
Technically competent, thoroughly not for me
The hit was a hit for a reason. 1 other decent track id say.
Good Voice...Good Instrumentals...Just Kind of boring...2 1/2*
Lovely voice and lots to admire, but not really to my taste.
Checks all the boxes for my Cheesy Eighties bingo : - Keyboards and fake claps everywhere. Who needs actual drums ? - Pseudo-soul voice that will make actual soul singers cringe. - Over-the-top "smoothness" that people somehow used to find sexy back in the days, but now sounds like the soundtrack of a softcore porn flick. - Kitschy sax oozing with bad taste. For the love of God, LEAVE THE SAX ALONE. Saxophones are for jazzmen, funk bands and Lisa Simpson. - Oooh-hoo, yoo-hoo ! Pa-pala, pap-palala ! - I think I’ve literally heard this music in an elevator. I’ll admit that Smooth Operator is a nice hit, and Hang On To Your Love is a semi-enjoyable song... But everything else just painfully reminds me of all the reasons why I hated pop music during the 80s. Still, the 80s produced far worst crap. This album feels caricatural, but it's not entirely unlistenable. 3/10
Thanks to a tube and the voice of a "smooth operator", the rest of the album is just to be forgotten