Reviews (page 3 of 14)
In museums, you will often find beautiful, cold marble statues that, despite their lifelessness, almost beg you to reach out and caress the forbidden areas of their cold, smooth, naked bodies. That's how this album feels.
Beautiful voice. Beautiful smooth jazzy music.
Love this. My dad loves Sade and used to put this album on when we were on holiday when I was a child. Reminds me of sitting on a balcony at night playing cards in Spain or France. Very nostalgic
smooth operator
I imagine all the videos to this album take place at an open window with soft lighting and a light breeze. Not offended in any way, just slow vibes and sensual. Decent album and a very 80s distinction
Day909 - just about the smoothest thing your ears can hope to hear. sade made great albums for twenty six years and deserves all the awards they get. hopefully we get to see them perform at their rock and roll hall of fame induction
If you're my age, or thereabouts, then this is probably an album you'll be well aware of. I reckon nearly every family in the UK had a copy. A classic. Silky smooth vocals, fantastic musicianship, classy all round. It falls short of 5 stars because a few of the non-single tracks were average at best.
Nice background music and smooth operator is a classic, but I found myself mostly bored with this 2.5/5
I hated this when it came out, and it’s very redundant. But if you listen to it late at night, it is so much better.
To listen Sade on a rainy day has a special feeling. Although, not when the temperature is 43 degrees Celsius. 🥵
It’s wild to me that so many of the reviews on this site use the words “smooth” or “polished” as a pejorative. I would posit that good music can sound like it’s made by well-trained and competent musicians sometimes. This is grown folk music, and very good at that.
Had already listened to it and was torn between 4 and 5 stars. The songs are not revolutionary by any means, but it sounds so good. I mean, it’s true that it does sound like background jazzy music for a fancy restaurant… but it’s the best representative of it’s kind. Smootj Operator is also a rare instance of such a jazz loungey song crossing over to mainstream - so no wonder this album was included here. I mean, I enjoy this album. I’d listened to it, listened to it and will probably listen to it again.
5
All the songs sound the same, but it’s not bad
Queen
this of course was fantastic. Did not finish it but I also did not need to, I already knew this was good.
Gosh do it for Carlos Sainz
A couple of absolute bangers, and a lot of songs that sound alike. 5 stars for the aesthetics, -1 star for the repetition.
Funny story but I know this album well. I won some sort of contest as a 8-10 yr old kid and got to choose a wrapped present... I got "Diamond Life" on tape, haha. I remember listening to this on a Walkman! I recently read a post asking "Does any artist have a perfect entire catalog?" Tough question if you're not a homer for your favorite band. I saw Sade as a top option & this is a good start. Every song is perfect for what it's trying to be. Loved the bass.
Smooth 80’s yuppie pop…I sort of dig it. 3.1
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.
Silky
Extremely good vibes. I know who Sade is, obviously, but maybe I had somehow never heard any of her music before? Maybe “Smooth Operator” on the radio once or twice, but didn’t know who it was by. Like I said, this is an incredibly chill and easy listen. Kept it on repeat yesterday. Chill vibes for a sleepy day. I don’t love every song, but I like most of them.
2,5
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
Smooth as the operator on the first track. Keeps the cool side cool and the hot side sultry
Awesome album baie lekker luister. Saxophone is verskriklik goed. 10/10 Geen slegte songs nie
lowkey they all sounded the same but I’ve gotta relisten in the future to get the most out of it. Favourite songs: Your love is king
this album is so diverse in sound, and i can clearly hear how so much of music today is influenced by it. beautifully done <3
très bon album sade ne se rate jamais. on se voit déjà passer la nuit dans un bar classe à siroter des cocktails tres chers avec la brochette d’olives à l’intérieur la.
J’ai l’impression d’être à la plage en écoutant cet album. J’adore sa voix. Smooth operator is peak ! J’aime.
Album super chill et relaxant. Son seul problème est que chaque son se ressemble dans l'ambiance ce qui devient assez vite répétitif et lassant.
Très bon album, qui donne envie de se faire un restau semi-gastronomique vétu d'un costume cravatte. Elle m'a fait swinger dans tous les sens du terme notamment Smooth Operator qui reste mon son préféré. On a un peu perdu en qualité sur la fin mais ça reste un solide 4 de mon côté. Un bon classique qu'elle nous a plié, merci pour ça
7/10 - some classics here, nice relaxed pop vocals, also not overly long or dragged out
Це неперевершено, альбом на всі часи
Diamond Life arrived the same year as Private Dancer and represents the opposite solution to the same problem — where Tina Turner buried herself in big production and processed drums, Sade stripped everything back to candlelight and negative space. The restraint is real and it's a genuine artistic choice. The late-night, smoke-and-jazz atmosphere is completely controlled and completely intentional, and "Smooth Operator" remains one of the most recognizable songs the decade produced. The honest limitation is the same one that kept The Stone Roses at three earlier in this project — same samey. The emotional temperature that makes the record distinctive at the start is the same temperature it holds all the way through, which means the qualities that initially seduce gradually become the qualities that numb. A record that opens cool and stays cool has made a choice, but that choice comes at the cost of the peaks that earn replayability. Sade's voice is the genuine article — warm, precise, completely unshowy in a way that suits the material perfectly. The jazz harmonic language the band borrows gives the whole thing a sophistication that separates it from standard 80s pop. But borrowing jazz's vocabulary without its capacity for surprise or emotional shift turns out to be a ceiling as much as a foundation. A solid three. The atmosphere is real, the voice is real, and a record that does one thing this consistently and this well deserves its place. It just doesn't generate the pull that earns more than that.
Woof
Smooth Operator is instantly recognizable, probably because it's been overexposed as part of advertising almost as long as the song has existed. The rest is pretty meh, IMO.
Pretty slow paced for my taste.
Not my cup of tea
Amazing music!
The silkiest and smoothest music ever recorded. “Smooth Operator” is an all timer.
I feel that whenever I am traveling with my parents, Sade is playing on the radio. Some of these songs are certified radio hits. I didn't know they are a part of the same album. Especially the first part of listening to this album was me being surprised song after song. To me this is a solid pop album with. It is way more diverse than a lot of pop albums and even has some enjoyable funky turns and rhythms. Sade's vocals shine throughout. I think that the last three songs are a bit weaker. The whole album is consistent though and never gets stale. My favorite songs were "Smooth Operator" and "Hang On to Your Love".
For those feeling nostalgic. First steps of smooth jazz. And smooth whatever...
Solid album.
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.
It’s like a marketing company has paid for the ‘premium’ version of their hold music. It’s pleasant enough, and it passes the time without getting you pissed off, but it’s still hold music. The musicians are all good at what they do, but there is something about the sax in this that just makes me wince. This is a generous score as, for an easy listening album, I struggle to see how they could do much better.
Classy, bougie, nasty 💅
I’d listen to it in the background, but didn’t do much for me lyrically.
Smooth musik. Bra album.
I like
smooth, misschien te smooth
6.17.26 Solid and smooth album, though it often dissolves into background noise (albeit enjoyable background noise!). That girl can sing. Favorite Song: Cherry Pie Rating: 3/5
ЭТО ОЧЕНЬ ХОРОШО
i was expecting more
Ok but not for me, some classic songs
I've been a Sade fan since I first heard Smooth Operator on the radio as a kid. Between the velvety vocals and slinky saxophone, this is top shelf sophistipop. Hard to believe that Diamond Life is a debut because it's so confident from beginning to end. There's not really a stinker in the bunch but nothing comes close to the brilliance of the album opener.
incredible
One of my favorite albums from the 1980s.
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
Not usually my thing but I mostly enjoyed it
How does this sound so good despite seeming like it could so easily sound boring? Why did I listen to this three times in a row? Where has this been all my life?
It is such a cool album, her soulful singing is carried by the moody instrumentation to create an intimate soundscape. I would probably rather 'Love Deluxe' but this album has the masterpiece single 'Smooth Operator' so it might be perhaps more unmissable. 9/10 [KEEP]
Great album. Love Sade.
Amazing
I love sophisti-pop. I love Sade. The smooth sensual sound soft the music, with the strong sultry vocals of Sade, herself, is a perfect match. Absolutely essential
What it is about this record that makes the listener immediately develop a huge crush on Sade?
Sade - Diamond Life - 3/5 I'm really surprised that this album is on the list instead of Love Deluxe, but then again, the author does have a clear tendency to favor debut albums. I must've heard "Smooth Operator" about a billion times growing up and I honestly never realized Sade was the artist behind it until now. It's a super solid, sleek lounge song. "Hang On to Your Love" has an incredibly catchy bass line, and really, the bass work across the entire album is just fantastic. It keeps everything moving with a perfect, smooth groove. On top of that, "Why Can't We Live Together" has a really good, timeless message. Sade's vocals are incredibly effortless and soothing throughout the whole record. Easy listen but not my genre.
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.
Impeccable vibes
7 - it’s sade. So smooth.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yö
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.
Yeah, I mean she has a voice like no other. Even though Smooth Operator blew up in the last few years, it's still an incredible song. And to my "surprise", the whole album is super close to that level. This was an incredible listen from start to finish. Did not want it to end. Super easy 5 star
great album!
Okay I love Sade but this album not much compared to others….
Smoot operat. 6/10
For 80s music, Diamond Life ages very well. Sade could be a timeless singer. Album is pretty great but many songs from the middle to the end are a bit samey sounding, but I guess if you're going to listen to Sade you know what you're going to get: smooth silky jazz/quiet storm singing.
I don't feel like this has aged well. I liked the lyricism and storytelling, but the musical arrangements overshadowed her voice.
listened previously
S'alright.
It’s Sade. It gets five stars.
So a nice listen, smooth like whiskey, but tastes nice
Silky smooth and oh so sexy
Not that bad. I don’t know why you would listen to a whole album of this kind of music.
So smooth.
Above average R&B slop
Shit
The Carlos Sainz song!
I love this album!! cherry pie is my fav
Smooth like butter 🧈🧈 🧈 🧈
Maybe I'm just more generous with my ratings lately, but I can't in good faith give this a 3. I look at my 3s and this isn't it. I'm not sure it's a true 4 either as I really, really like my 4s. But this is good. Totally would listen to and enjoy again.
Nice chill, cool album. Nothing very exciting, but very well performed. Love her voice.
not her strongest and a little one note, but her vocals and production ALWAYS hit
favs: smooth operator, frankie's first affair
010626 15:21 4
The first few songs must’ve sounded like the fucking future back in 1984. It’s so sleek and refined. I can barely tell it’s from the 80’s. A “Smooth Operator” cover to open things right up and walk you into a rich, luxurious experience. Equal parts loungey and lustful, this record went down smooth from start to finish. The saxophone is practically a second lead singer, I’m left wishing Sade and the sax would harmonize and do more call-and-response. “Hang Onto Your Love” finds a hypnotic groove and, for lack of a better term, hangs onto it. A little funk sprinkled into the mix for good measure. There isn’t a misplaced note on this album, but this song is particularly crafted to perfection. “When Am I Gonna Make A Living” takes a minute or two, but slowly unfolds itself into a rewarding Motown-inspired jam. The way it asks such broad, crucial questions about hardship and society - it’s vintage Marvin Gaye. “I Will Be Your Friend” might be my pick of the album. Not because it’s the most refined, but because it’s the more pure of heart. It’s in the same lane as “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, a song so assured in its love and commitment. “Why Can’t We Live Together” is a wonderful closer. A two minute instrumental before any words are sung. Tactful choice. Obligatory broad stroking call to action song. 4/5, so squeaky clean that you could eat off it
Smooth sounds
Smooooooooth
Some good songs but idk it wasn’t amazing
So smooth and nice
Amazing! Her voice is like nobody else’s, the music together with her singing sounds so elegant it hurts!
Smooth operator is voor mij wel het bekendste liedje van Sade. Heerlijke plaat, zeker om in de mood te komen. Niet superbijzonder.
Het is een plaat die je in menig platencollecties tegenkomt, dat vind ik niet zo gek want er valt ook niet veel op te haten. Ik heb hem ook en ook wel eens aangezet. Niemand zou ooit een hekel aan je krijgen omdat je deze plaat aan zet. Het klinkt goed, goed gebalabceerd en en warm geluid. Heel degelijk, niet het spannendste album die ik ooit heb geluisterd.
Ik heb de plaat ooit van iemand gekregen en in de kast staan. Het voelt als een iconische plaat die nog nog niet goed ken. Mijn verwachtingen waren iets te hoog. De muziek heeft een warm aangenaam analoog geluid. Het is subtiel en goed in ballans. Na een paar nummers begint het wel wat eentonig te worden. De stem is oké en de hele sfeer is wel goed. Toch had ik wel op iets meer gehoopt. Ze hebben eigelijk niet zo veel te melden. Het laatste nummer lijkt wel een beetje op een hele matige miss world verkiezingsspeech. Laten we aardig doen tegen elkaar en stoppen met oorlog voeren en in vrede samenleven. Daar ben in natuurlijk niet op tegen maar het is wel wat simpel. Het is casual lounge muziek, stijl boven inhoud. Opzicht niks mis mee maar daardoor is het ook geen meesterwerk.
Klassieke plaat, op de een of andere manier kan je deze plaat in menig platencollectie terugvinden, en dat is niet gek. Het is high-end kamermuziek voor mensen met smaak. Ik vind de instrumentals erg goed gedaan, het is erg subtiel, precies genoeg, in tegenstelling tot andere producties uit die tijd waar veel gated-reverb op de drums zat in combinatie met foute synth's (wat overigens ook leuk is) Sade's stem pakt de hoofdrol en wat een fijne stem heeft zij om naar te luisteren. Haar stem is ook te horen op Doomsday, mijn favoriete nummer van MF Doom. Ik ben enthousiast geraakt en heb zin om andere albums van haar te gaan beseffen.
Classic. Quality songs and sound.
Great voice and just so very different from what else was going on
This is exactly what I expected it to be, unfortunately. Some interesting stuff on here, but mostly just obnoxious.
(85/100)
Sheer smooth 80s perfection. To be enjoyed with a martini.
generational talent, Who doesn't love Sade?
I have a soft spot for the 80s, particularly Sade
not my prefered genre nor my fav album of sade but SADE ADU THE WOMAN YOU ARE!!!! lemme feel that voice range!! SING ITT!!!!!
This album starts hot with the 3 big hitters, but stays strong throughout. A very consistent vibe. Fave Tracks: Smooth Operator, Your Love is King, Hang On To Your Love 4.4/5
Grows tired but my god she is beautiful
🥰
The album is okay but apart from a couple of songs the rest for me is just nice music to have on the background.
elegancia, de noche, sofisticado, me relaja
Really a 4.5 if you ask me. I had never given Sade a chance growing up. As a fan of more extreme music, I too was part of the peanut gallery in labeling this as adult alternative muzak. What a load of garbage. This is a beautiful, fantastic, sensual album that actually touches on social issues in addition to the romantic, slow-moving hits. This simmers all the way through, tight as a well-oiled machine. As a musician, I'm impressed with the band's ability to show so much restraint and release with the jazz and pre-trip-hop song structures. The sax solos are a bit of their time, but precisely, the '80s was one of the best times for music anyway, and I'm such a sucker for cheese as long as the music is tough enough. Sade is a strong and focused singer, not at all flat. Like a Billie Holiday 2.0, at times. As my former jazz instructor, Andrew Speight, once told our large class (with people chatting and making noise upon arriving during the first track he would play), "If you shut up and listen, you might learn something." So glad that I held my breath and gave you a listen after all these years, Sade. Can't wait to listen to the rest.
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.
Smooth Operator was everywhere when it came out. I feel that it was around the same time as Kenny G, Alison Moyet, and Simply Red. A whole lotta of adult contemporary music when it seemed that was done. Some 'romantic' music to get down with. I wasn't the demographic then and this smooth jazzy and R&B inflected stuff was not my bag. She was definitely before Erykah Badu and Macy Grey. I remember stepping into a cocktail lounge -- I am sure there was a mix of swing, exotica, Harry Connick Jr and Sade. I had my first chocolate martini "hated it" and promptly left after trying an expresso martini next. Drinks were expensive and I wasn't ready for this level of BS. Unfortunately, this is my association. Only cocktails and exotica survived that era for me. Anywho, I put this on and the first song, "Smooth Operator", it has this preamble. Never heard this on the radio. I wish I had, it makes the song better. This sounds a lot better when you are only hearing it once and awhile and it is when you want. A lot better. I have already heard half this album and the other less overexposed songs are familiar and good. Maybe I have finally gotten to a place in my life where I can appreciate this stuff. This is sultry and cool. This album is a great album. I think I may give it a 4. It deserves a bit more but not enough to push it into the 5 territory.
Excellent
light 4.5.
Fuuuck yes
Gran disco y gran voz. Muy a gusto su mood. Siento que le gustaba a mi mamá
Smuuuuth operaitor. Ta cool me parece que con un par de escuchadas mas entra en los guardados definitivos
Amazing chill album, her voice is deeper than what you would expect based on what she looks like. Nasty sax playing, consistently well written pop tunes. She is an amazing performer, yet she rarely performs, check her out if you get the chance.
Smoooooov. This is an excellent example of the 80s sophisti-pop style, with plenty of lush jazzy arrangements, smooth soulful sounds, and of course Sade's excellent vocals tying it all together.
Smooth as FUCK I might like more 80s music if it sounded more like this. As far as this website’s rating system goes, this is on the UPPER upper tier of 4s.
The definition of smooth! Perhaps a bit too much in the middle, as from 'When Am I Going to Make A Living' to 'Sally' it starts bordering on the bland. Literally everything else is gold though! 🎷🐛 Standouts: Smooth Operator • Your Love Is King • Hang On to Your Love • Frankie's First Affair • I Will Be Your Friend • Why Can't We Live Together
My apologies to Sade!! Heard this on the Rolling Stone 500 list and thought it was boring and very skippable. On giving it a careful listen now, I realized it is actually an expertly layered, smooth, jazzy masterpiece with lush production and gorgeous vibes. Oops!
I dont play about this album
Klinkt als iets wat ze enorm veel draaiden op radio1 in de jaren 90
It chose a lane and stayed in there all album, I loved it! It’s cool, calm and confident.
R&B can sometimes wobble dangerously close to full-blown cheeseball territory for this guy. Rose petals, thick mustaches, satin sheets, blue-balled saxophone wails for mercy: the whole horny gift basket. Inject some jazz into the mix, and you've got a volatile compound that could implode under the weight of its own doucheyness right quick. But Diamond Life strolls through that minefield in designer heels without triggering a single cringe grenade. This thing is buttery smooth, but we ain't talkin' gas station butter. It’s expensive... mysterious butter. Possibly wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette - indoors. Lil' funk in the trunk, soul in the chest, the faint smoke of jazz curling around the ceiling fan, and enough evolved sensuality to fog up the windows without desperately moaning, "MMM...BABY". The shifting tempos keep it from becoming one long soft-focus cologne ad, and the whole record ends up feeling like a small, stylish suitcase packed with decades of Black music history. Sade’s voice is the whole spell here: aloof but aching, effortless but intimate, like she’s emotionally devastating you from across a dimly lit room while pretending she just came in for a mineral water. Somehow, Diamond Life takes all the ingredients that usually send me sprinting and turns them into something elegant, haunted, and stupid cool. No satin-sheet misdemeanors. Just Sade and company gliding by in slow motion, making everyone else sound like they showed up to the orgy wearing socks.
Lukewarm bathwater feelings about this one. Not bad, not great - might need a dash more hot water and a squirt of bubbles to make it feel just right. A little too slow in spots, a little too jazzy/saxophony in spots. maybe the percussion is a little too bright? Let's dim the lights, imma grab my caftan and a chardonnay. For a debut album, it's better than decent and shows a lot of potential. Sade's smooth alto voice is equal parts soothing and smokey. Fav track: Your Love Is King
I listened to this album so much when I was 15 years old...Sade had (has?) a great voice and a distinctive style. Do these songs hold up? Not all of them. That jazzy sax, oh my. It's fine in the first song, but they keep it up a little too long. Still, there's a nice funky, but mellow, vibe that permeates the album. 3 stars? 4 feels too generous, but actually every song is pretty good. Hmm, I'll decide tomorrow when forced to choose.
A timeless album Favourite track: Cherry Pie
own
Enjoyed smooth operator but nothing else really struck me.
I can see why some people like this but it’s just too synth poppy for me. 2.5
Classic
cine
Sade has some of the sweetest vocals, but some of the backing on these tracks don't do it for me. But Sade so got to give it at least 3 stars because she's the shit.
Another great endeavor on this list. Another 4 I'll gladly give.
3 out of 5. This album sounds great for setting the mood of needed.
Es un jazz/blues muy lindo.
feels raw, close, personal, exploratory
This album is an 80s smooth soul/AOR album. For that reason alone, I fear it. It mostly sounds like a female-led version of the later Steely Dan albums. The lyrics are pretty much just standard love song lyrics, and the musicality and songwriting are not very interesting at all. It's a cross between jazz, rock, and soul, without any of the things that make these genres great. This isn't a terrible album. Yet it's something that is perhaps worse altogether- a bland one. It's perfectly fine background music for a work party or a nice restaurant date, but not for a serious listen. Granted, I'm 15, so I'm probably not the target audience for this(or really, half the pretentious boring shit on the list). Still, I don't think that this album is anything other than drab.
I had to get into the reviews to try to see why people are into this. I get that it's subtle and mixed jazz and funk and her voice is cool, but taken all together, none of the songs grabs me enough to make me want to sit with it and try to "get it."
This sounds super dated compared to Love Deluxe, which makes it harder to sink into. However, I enjoyed it once I contextualized it as a funk album. The band is pretty spry, and her lyrics are intriguing. I initially wrote it off as an album where you can grab the best stuff on a compilation and move on to her masterpiece, but there is really good stuff here.
Jazzzyyyy
Immaculate vibes
I mean what a smooth, unique voice
Garbage
This is just a very cool album. Starts off really well, wains a little towards the end. Enjoyed it though.
what a life…
Not my first rodeo with Sade. I've heard her later record Love Deluxe before, and it was pretty decent. Smooth Operator obviously plays the role of lead single: extremely clean production that's just slightly overwashed with 80s sterility. That electronic drum sound might've been innovative at the time, but it has aged pretty terribly and more or less completely evaporates many people's perceptions of that decade of music. I remember hearing Donald Fagen talk about how much effort and money he had to put in to outsource a newfangled drum machine for Steely Dan's 1980 album Gaucho. That record, though, suffers for the same reason as Diamond Life. But I digress. Smooth Operator is very catchy and a solid choice for opening track. Love the brash, in-your-face piano in Hang On to Your Love and Frankie's First Affair. Sort of reminiscent of some of the better parts of disco (rest in peace). But in sharp contrast to disco, I feel Sade is really skilled at making catchy, soulful music that isn't too repetitive or annoying. I'm not as huge a fan of the sax, or at least not of its omnipresence in every track and a seeming lack of desire to change timbre, add some jazz improv, maybe plop a baritone in there. (The song Sally has the most interesting sax part here, by a wide margin.) Quite a lot of the music on Diamond Life feels... lifeless, maybe? It's hard to pinpoint what isn't clicking for me. The vocal hooks are passable, so those aren't the problem. But the songs I Will Be Your Friend and When Am I Going to Make a Living just don't do that much for me – the latter has a cool chorus hook, I guess, but no much else separates it from the crowd. I would like to see some more genre variety in an album, too. 3/5 Key tracks: Smooth Operator, Frankie's First Affair
It's incredible album. I LOVE SADE!
While this genre of music generally falls outside my personal preferences, "Diamond Life" possesses a distinct originality that sets it apart from its peers of the day - when viewed through the lens of what was dominating the UK charts in 1984, the album is quite striking. Additionally for a style of music that I would not normally gravitate towards it held my interest from start to finish. A significant highlight is the production. It is remarkably disciplined, successfully avoiding the overblown, synthetic techniques that often date other 1980s releases. The opening duo of tracks, 'Smooth Operator' and 'Your Love Is King', remain the standout hits for a reason; they are very well-crafted tunes. The rest of the tracks are equally well-written, arranged, and performed. Sade’s vocals are lovely, and delivered in a characteristically sultry manner, while the band provides solid support - the rhythm section, in particular, is excellent. Though it isn't an album I would typically choose to listen to, the level of craft involved is easy to appreciate. Three stars. 1 "Smooth Operator" (4/5) 2 "Your Love Is King" (4/5) 3 "Hang On to Your Love" (3/5) 4 "Frankie's First Affair" (3/5) 5 "When Am I Going to Make a Living" (3/5) 6 "Cherry Pie" (3/5) 7 "Sally" (3/5) 8 "I Will Be Your Friend" (3/5) 9 "Why Can't We Live Together" (3/5) Total - 29 Average - 3.22 327/1001 179/327 albums reviewed were new to me.
Loverly, but a bit too smoooooth in places
Diamond Life was a dinner party favourite when we were in our twenties. Long time since hearing it. Crisp production. Very smooth, laid back. Some good songs, although Why can't we live together is a cover - still good though.
I think you’ll find that it’s Sade who is the smooth operator. It's impressive that she can maintain such a romantic, cosy vibe for the full run time without the spell breaking or becoming cloying. It is a very singular approach bookended with the obvious hits that works a treat.
My second fav Sade, a low 5, i love this group.
Better than the last couple we’ve had at least Smooth Operator is far and away the best song on here, couldn’t place the name but I’ve 100% heard it a bunch. Didn’t actually like the first 30 seconds or so but love the way it builds. Album is pretty easy on the ears, the use of jazz backing sounds pretty solid throughout. Vocals are not bad I really don’t have a whole lot of impressions after the lead single, just feels like everything kinda blends into each other and nothings interesting enough to get your attention. It’s far from bad but it’s just not memorable enough. I really don’t have a whole lot of other complaints though, kinda hard to explain why it didn’t resonate for me Wow I really just typed a bunch of words for this one didn’t I? Kinda fitting in a way, good enough to not hate on but too mediocre to actually discuss in detail
Pretty smooth (operator) I like the sound, not terribly exciting but I don't think I'd complain if it came on
Smooth Operator is the best song on this album, unfortunately it was the first song on this album. Overall, it was a good sound, but I wasn't absolutely crazy about it.
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... 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, but they all end up sounding the same.
Such an interesting project, it felt like it was ahead of time, the title track is a classic and the B-sides incorporate modern sounds into blues rhythm, Feels like a fresh breath of air from the loudness of current life, I definitely loved it.
Some songs are really good, the band is really good, but she doesn't always sing well, didn't like most of the songs of the album.
Sade is one of those artists that I didn’t like as a kid but has grown on me more recently. I used to really dislike her music, but these days I like her blend of light jazz and really enjoyed listening to this album. To the extent that I’m going to listen to some more of her catalogue now, in the hope it’s also as good.
This is much better than I remember from just the singles. This probably wasn't what I was looking for as a 17 year old but it sounds great now.
Another album I knew from back in the day. Had forgotten how much I enjoyed it - nice to be reminded
3.5
An incredibly sophisticated, pristine blend of jazz, soul, and sophisticated pop. The production is immaculately clean, but the underlying musicianship is exceptionally tight, driven by elastic basslines, subtle percussion, and understated saxophone work that creates a hypnotic, deeply relaxing nighttime atmosphere.
Very soulful and 80s
Refreshingly cruisey when Sade burst upon the scene. The whole album so well produced. Great voice and vibe
It is 1984. Summer. You cruise through the city in a convertible sports car. Your sleeves rolled up, sunglasses on even though it is night time. The streetlights and the windows of skyscrapers flow past you, blurring together. The city seems to go on forever. You don't have a destination in mind, but the evening seems to hold endless potential. That is how this albums feels. You could accuse it of being overproduced, perhaps, but it never feels lifeless because of it. There is a great deal of passion throbbing through these tunes. I, too, tend to like my music with a little rough edge, but that would go entirely against the spirit of this album. I only knew smooth operator going in. I have to say "Frankie's First Affair", "Cherry Pie", and "Sally" are all just as good, and at just shy of 45 minutes it does not outstay its welcome at all.
This is a very calm, peaceful album. I added almost every song to my 'liked' playlist so that I can listen to them later. She has a very soothing voice.
Really not my thing
Nice!
More than a few mid-80s albums sound like Diamond Life but none feel this authentic. Some arrangements sound a bit Steely Dan-esque and there is quite a bit of saxophone but it's all tasteful.
Another album that I quite enjoyed but wouldn't gravitate to on my own
Pretty good
Eh. Listened to it while doing work which was a good vibe but lowkey liked the songs spotify played after it more.
Groovy!
So smooth and beautiful album
This is something I would like to be played in the waiting room for all my doctor appointments (good thing). Jazzy, relaxing, cool, and atmospheric. Likes: Smooth Operator; Your Love Is King; Hang On To Your Love; Cherry Pie
Mukavaa nais ääntä ja tunnelmallista, romanttista säveltä. Aikansa musiikkia
Smooth R&B album from the mid 80s. Hasn’t aged very well, but it’s a nice relaxing listen. 3.0/5.0
So so smooth. Sexy and jazzy and real easy to sink into. You get what you get with Sade.
Every morning in the summer of 1984 we would pack into my mom’s car to go cleaning houses, and every morning started with Smooth Operator in constant rotation. I discovered then that I am not a fan of smooth jazz, which was the preferred sound on KOSI radio. Now that I’m older I appreciate this album more, which says something about me that younger doesn’t want to admit. Smooth Operator is still a bit twitchy for me but due to memory and not Sade’s work, which is musically catchy and well orchestrated. I would have to say that key songs for me are Hang On To Your Love, which has a great bass line, and Cherry Pie with the post-Disco vibes. I don’t know if I would look for this album, but I did enjoy listening to it twice today! …apologies to my seven year old self.
Random thoughts: * Chill jazz/pop to throw on for background music. * I'm not sure this is really dedicated listening music. * Smooth Operator is still awesome and should be on a makeout mix tape. * Sade is the name of the band, but also is the first name of the singer. Kind of a Santana situation. * Sade has sold more than 23 million records! Damn!
I feel like I gave this one an honest shot under the absolute best conditions I could imagine - I listened through twice on a drizzly pre-dawn drive to drop my partner off at the airport. Still, I just didn't connect with it. I understand why people would love this, I guess it's just not my thing.
late night drives vibes. Unmatched
Liked it
Some really strong tracks, but also got a little same-y. Second to last song kind of sounds like Smooth Operator but worse. So, a nice sounding record, great voice, but the arrangements didn't grab me.
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
Классная смесица R&B и джаза/блюза, но не мой жанр Песню Smooth Operator уже слышала Очень неплохо, под определенное настроение пойдет
A bit smooth for my tastes, but clearly does what it does well. It's nice to hear something from the early eighties where the production sounds warm and human, rather than chilly and mechanical. Also nice to have learned the term 'sophistipop'.
Immaculately produced and amazingly sung. The instrumentation is at great symphony, the band chemistry on this is so satisfying. It's very easy to enjoy and see why it's so great but still offers a lot of detail and overall a really great sound. Loses a bit of steam towards the end but doesn't fall below very good. HE'S A SMOOOTH OPERATOR!
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?
Very calming and beautiful
Great start to a career for an amazing singer. Her voice is impeccable and sounds like the warmest saxophone. Would listen again and again
its fine. prob foundational. too slow and not enough emotion for me; put it in broadening anyway
Smooooth and magic!!
Grooved so damn hard I was going crazy in AutoCAD listening to this
Performative male music for people who are too scared to listen to laufey or clairo. It is actually pretty good though
Smooth Operator is great and I feel like this album makes a good date night
Smooth Operator is a great song. The rest of the album has the same mellow beat, but the songs aren't quite as strong.
There is an alternate dimension in which everything in life plays out like a montage sequence for the romantic B-plot for an episode of Miami Vice, and Sade is the world's biggest act.
took a couple of listen but i really really like it.
wow. nunca me habia puesto a escuchar a sade y quedé completamente fadcinada. mismo descubrí que sí conocía canciones de ella. cada canción que sonaba yo sólo podía pensar: this is so satc soundtrack coded.
First Listen; 3.5; I'll start this by saying that this is pretty far outside of what I normally listen to. With that said, I actually really like the production and instrumentation, and as a whole, I found the album to be an enjoyable listen. Sets a laidback mood and is extremely smooth. It does feel like there's more here than is apparent on the first or second listen, and something that I would listen to again depending on what I am in the mood for. Favorite Track: Sally
First track obviously bangs, rest is alright
Pretty good, but perhaps not too memorable. A perfect three in my eyes.
Finalmente uno muy buenoo! Arranca con smooth operator y, pese a que no hay otra canción tan buena, son todas buenas y el estilo del albúm me gustó mucho, sin duda lo volvería a escuchar.
Sade hat ne Stimme eines Engels. So tolle Lieder. Da muss man mitswingen, hilft nicht.
I enjoyed almost every track on this except Sally, which was a complete snooze-fest. Vocals were great on everything else.
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
For me, the problem with music that's too smooth is that it slides right past me, honestly. So this one probably won't join the ranks of my all-time favorites, but it's a perfectly lovely album to spend an evening with.
Smooth indeed
Great first song. The rest reminded me of Chris Rea mixed with cruise ship music. But really great first song!
Ok
Pretty smooth lounge music.
Not quite my tempo.
RATING: 6/10 HIGHLIGHT: Your Love is King LOWLIGHT: Cherry Pie
Very smooth pop. You can’t really go wrong with any of her albums.
This is my third consecutive female fronted pop album, and probably my favorite of the three. On Diamond Life, Sade looks to soul and jazz, and escapes the worst stylistic pitfalls of the '80s because of it. She consistently sounds self-assured and mature across this Diamond Life, and she is a really compelling vocal presence. The writing feels personal and there's a slight moodiness here as well. All in all, Diamond Life is everything you would want from a "sophisti-pop" album. It's also a really strong debut to boot. Diamond Life manages to be a really enjoyable pop album while having some really impressive thematic depth.
i wore a big fur coat and then dropped it at the “coast to coast, LA to Chicago, western male” part to reveal a beautiful gown and everybody clapped
😮💨
3.7 stars.
3.8
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.
Real Classic Africa POP from the 80s brings back memories
I was in such a bad mood today and this made it worse.
Smooth Operator will always be my favorite Sade song! I never listened to the whole album before, but it’s pretty good!
I guess I get it. 5/5
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
not as good as love deluxe
so basic jazz
Sade can do no wrong.
This is goooooood. What a classy and sophisticated album, her voice is like honey and carries so much emotion. The instrumentation is great across the record. So much expression in the brass and sax solos. Honestly don't get how you wouldn't like this, this is a beautiful album. All the songs are great, it's hard to pick a favourite since it changes everytime. But objectively, 'Smooth Operator' is the best by far. What a great listening experience. Fav Track: Smooth Operator
A great smoooth listen. Everything works so perfectly together. like an affogato
I liked this.
Sade my queen. Her voice is so smooth and buttery
I wish I could give this a 4.5
Really good record
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.
frankie's first affair, cherry pie, when am I going to make a living and sally
Smooth, jazzy, soft, vibey... In short, baby making music.
Chille cocktailpop
aangenaam 3.5
noice
Not for me
smooth. vibey. not too many songs stuck out. Smooth Operator is evergreen but my fav has gotta be When Am I Going to Make a Living. strong 3
Rating: 8/10 Saying that the album is so smooth is an extreme cliche, but the way the songs on Diamond Life glide by with its mellow mid-tempo arrangements and Sade’s soulful voice leaves a very warm feeling. The very modest album length has me enjoying the experience without getting bored, and it’s really consistently good. A great first three tracks but my favorite is Cherry Pie
Really good. Confident and interesting without dragging on. *that* part in Smooth Operator is still killer, but Sally is second fav 7.0
Buenardo, todos los temas son muy piolas menos el ultimo q no esta tan nazi. Pero la mezcla de pop y un poc de jazz y anda a saber q mas y la piba q tiene alta voz muy bueno.
Frankie’s first affair lowkey underrated I know it’s the long version but Hang on To Your Love is too long Put your hands together for Sallyyyyyy
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.
Meh
Sade really has a voice! There’s a reason this album sold so well. This whole album is a jazzy pop soulish vibe.
That one person in the top reviews saying the band is carrying Sade... I mean, that's the most wrong anyone has been all day. All year maybe, regardless of when you read it. If you don't like the quiet storm sound and there's no time or place in your life that it'd fit and make you feel good, fine. I prefer it most on a summer night's drive, sometimes it doesn't fit for me either. But come now, let's be reasonable. Sade sounds phenomenal, she has a beautiful, sweet voice and she's never off or out. If we have a metric for objectivity as far as good singing goes, I would look sideways at anyone that doesn't consider Sade to be there. The band is mostly okay but pulls some gaffes regarding appropriate times to pull out the blues language, mostly in tracks 2-4 where there's a bit of b7ing over maj7s and such. They do their best when there's a nice minor groove, which is present in a lot of the album so it works out. Incidentally, I think tracks 3 and 4 are the weakest on the album and then it really picks up after that. Smooth Operator is a strong intro, though. If the band was firing on the cylinders that Sade is, this would be such an easy 5. Like, the bands of artists that likely took some inspiration from Sade like Erykah or Jill Scott? Those bands? Killer shit. But with Sade doing most of the heavy lifting and not fully being matched, I guess I'd call it a 4. I think I've felt that way about this album the whole time I've known it.
nunca lo había escuchado ahora entiendo por que hablaban tan bien de sade
Not really a fan of smooth jazz pop 90s 🤷♀️
A true gem that showcases a phenomenal voice. Very solid album with a lot of good performances and songwriting. I don't listen to Sade often enough.
I thought this might just be a one hit wonder inclusion with "Smooth Operator", but I needn't have worried as it's ended up being maybe one of the best albums I've ever listened to. She's an amazing singer and the songs are varied whilst all hitting a perfect vibe.
nice
smooth operator
Starts to blend together after a few tracks if I'm honest, but spectacular nonetheless
Some really good stuff on here - Sultry, cool, and smooth ; this collection of jazzy R&B tunes proved to make a big splash as a debut for the group. Sade Adu's appeal as a songwriter and performer are undeniable - yearning for a better love, life and world. Cherry Pie was the highlight for me. Love all the Prince adjacent stuff and found the guitar tone to be similar to Jerry Garcia at times, interestingly enough.
Awesome album. Sade's voice is a dream
Anodyne
Hey it was ok
Mucha gente cree que hablamos de una solista, pero Sade es el nombre de la banda que lleva el nombre de su cantante. Digo esto porque la aterciopelada voz de Sade no tendría como destacar sin un puñado de excelentes canciones, con una cuidada producción y una apuesta por el buen gusto y el pop sofisticado. Hoy se oye tan a gusto como en los 80, y los temas no han perdido un punto de calidad. Pocas voces han destilado tanta sensualidad como en “Smooth Operator”, “Your Love Is King” o mi favorita “Hang On To Your Love”
mmm
buenísimo
All the songs are funky not just smooth operator. 5 stars.
After smooth operator opening I found new tracksto my ears. I heard why she had staying power. Will remember to play next time I’m making out :)
Ahora solo quiero ser cantante vocalista de sade. demasiado smoooooooth me encanta. Cherry pie me gustó mucho, todo lo demás espec también.
Muy bueno. No es lo que escucho normalmente pero me encantó
Nah
4.3
Good looking girl with a nice voice phoning it in 1.5
Lowkey understated.
Very groovy record. Loved the basslines from Paul S. Denman, and Sade herself writes some very interesting lyrics touching on what sounds to me like the shady parts of nightlife and possibly being something along the lines of a lady of the night. Very thematic, with killer sax lines and great accompanying piano.
I’ve probably heard a Sade song somewhere before, but I don’t remember it. So I wasn’t even sure what genre Sade was or anything, but I was kind of blown away. The whole album is great. Laid back but moving. The kind of discovery that makes going through this list worth it
Nice enough but not something I would regularly listen to. Background music really
This is one of those albums I am hoping to come across and as the years go on, I may just have to buy a new pressing. Great album!
Well done but not my thing
Hørt før. Sophisti-pop. Ekstremt stilfullt. Husker godt Smooth Operator fra barndommen, som en av pappas favoritter. Vanskelig å finne svakheter her. Top 3: Cherry Pie, Smooth Operator, Frankie’s First Affair
Buen álbum me gusta su voz
Smooth Operator brought me back to my childhood and defines the '80s adult contemporary/smooth jazz sound for me. Chill out / good vibes music, a cousin of bossa Nova.