Reviews (page 5 of 13)
Sade is amazing. This album was in medium-to-heavy rotation for me years ago when I lived abroad. Sade's By Your Side (from the Lovers Rock album) was my wedding song--a marriage that has since dissolved, but nevertheless the song and artist are special. I had the opportunity to see her live about 15 years ago and it did not disappoint. The most timeless and listenable of music.
A very good album that I will return to later, the first side I thought was a perfect recipe on how to write pop, the second half while still good I found did drag in some areas,
Smooth as all get out
Announces an inimitable style from the very note - sultry, smooth, with enough swing and groove to keep you afloat throughout
Seen to many Carlos Sainz thirst traps to truly enjoy smooth operator. Rest of the album was great, good vocals, some funky baselines and everyone enjoys a sexy sax
I really enjoyed this album. Lots of jazz, funk and soul. The vocals are fantastic.
smooooooooooooooooth harmonica
Pretty good
Lovely sax, lovelier vocals. Great sound
Nice, long time no listen
Such easy listening
Yeah, this is great. I always loved Smooth Operator, but this is the first full listen and Sade delivers. Will return to it and it might be at a 4.5 for me.
Beautiful album...
Im too pastey white to know who sade is other than hearing anyone else talk about her. And what a damn shame. She's pretty damn killer. For some reason smooth operator is like a hall and oats song in my head and someone must have a cover but they didnt come up with it whoever it is. She just had a great voice and a great ear for what's fun and just all around good. Its just fun and chill. Good times all around listening to this one. Maybe even a great time. I hope she comes up again thays for sure. I can only imagine how she matures as time goes on. This is a debut. Come on. She can only get better. I look forward to seeing that shit
Splendid album of course with one of the best opening 3 song salvos in music history, up there with Let's Dance for perfection. Frankie's first Affair immediately drops the quality substantially (with some of Sade's worst vocals IMO she just doesn't suit it) but the rest of the album is good enough, if not as consistent as later works. Those first 3 tracks though....
The musical equivalent to a safe pair of hands, it’s never a bad thing to have Sade on in the background 3.5 rounded up
Listened to this while I danced around the building at work tonight. Rhythm is off the charts. Voice sultry as hell. Some of the songs felt a little meandering at times to me, but I believe that’s kind of the idea with some music. Good stuff.
Souly fresh frech Mich hends mir ihrem diamante lebe. 2 diamante und 2 lebe für das
Nach dem wuchenend wärs ja fast chli kriminell wenni mich nöd mal wider würd zemme neh zum da en review droppe, aber gwöhned eu nöd dra... gang bald id ferie anyways isch das genau es album gsi woni druf gwartet han - au zum min strenge ruef chli ufzbessere absoluts banger album mitemene starche start und den am schluss no es zückerli mit "why cant we live together" au eh neuentdeckig hetts debi gha mit "when am i going to make a living" das frög ich mich au, glaubs nach de ferie probieris mal lg 4 mönet pause nach de bachelorarbeit wäred ahgmesse gsi
put your hands up for sade de inbegriff vo sexy ass music – perfekte hintergrundsound, wo sich phasewiis wäg ihrem bangerpotenzial gekonnt in vordergrund schliicht noah likey – noah geben quatro ass claps
Classic 80's synthwave funk. Thoroughly enjoyed
Really surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Great soulful sound, upbeat vibes and she's got an amazing voice.
First Listen: Mar 12 2024 lovely album. sade is goated affff. so fucking smooth and groovy ahhh i loveee it
Did not expect to like it as much as I did
The main feeling this album creates is yearning. Specifically, yearning for the low level middle class luxuries of 90s television: lush shampoo, posh ice cream, massive glasses with normal amounts of red wine in them, fire place sex, glass coffee tables and complicated CD players.There's a boringly dismissive reactionary snob response to this that's probably the one I'd have had in my teens or 20s, but - going full Bateman - distance reveals some of the quirky idiosyncratic touches that make this work so well, the warm inviting disco jazz vibe, the soul bones of the song writing, the clean cutting guitars, the tender sensuous vocals. It's pure commercial pleasure, all sheen and gloss, rubbery funk and smooth synths with its edges polished right off, promising to take the edge off.
Lovely lounge music
Smoother than a cashmere codpiece, and just as satisfying.
It’s groovy!
- álbum de estreia que chega como uma voadora de dois pés no peito - muito swing e personalidade - eu acho “Love Deluxe” um álbum melhor que “Diamond Life”
Really good for the most part. A few songs had too much of that 80's cheese but other than that can't complain. 8/10
Did not kno smooth operator was part of an album.
After all the 70s rock Sade felt like a breath of fresh air. I am not deep into soul/quiet storm, but this album really works. Her voice especially is the thing that drives this forward. Sexy without it feeling forced. In no way feels like a debut album she comes fully formed with such confidence. "Why Can't We Live Together" is my favourite track here such a strong closer. I will say it did feel a bit too much at times but that is I think more down to me being too big of a soul lover.
Smooth and jazzy Tracks to Track: Smooth Operator
I was going to say that this album feels ahead of its time, but then it registered to me that it would feel totally in place as a classic soul album, albeit with funkier instrumentation and better production. So perhaps it's "out of time" or perhaps just timeless. I feel like I've only ever listened to the hits, which feels like an oversight on my part after this.
Great album. Silky smooth, jazzy undertones, Latin percussion, heavy sax, and fantastic sultry vocals. Love it
Record with a great sound, smooth but also funky in places. A bit frontloaded but still a solid 4
Smooth as hell, great voice, lovely vibes, lovely saxophone. I gotta be in the right mood to truly enjoy it, but no matter what it's gonna be immersive and enveloping. Must-listen #195
Simply just some nice chill soul to vibe to. Solid 4 Stars.
I like this album, but it doesn't really stick with me. There are great songs, and it is a great vibe, but it is missing something for me. Sade's voice is great but a "favorite" that keeps me coming back, and the music is good, but it's neither catchy enough (most of the time) or complex and surprising enough (like a Steely Dan). Still deserves to be on the list for sure, and I could see how this could be 5 stars for many people, which is totally fair.
Good
A lot of albums have that one single that became extremely popular and the rest is a bunch of songs that suck (such is the case of, for example, of Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret. However, on Diamond Life, and even taking into account how popular "Smooth Operator" is, Sade shows great skills of song-writing that make for a decently rounded album.
Quite good.
Great album
Great and sexy album but it tends to have some 'sameness' after a while.
A slow jams classic, incredible vocals and a top notch band execute an all time sexy R&B record. Drops off a bit at the end, but very strong, rewards multiple listens. This one really sticks with you
Another artist that has been on my list for a long time. Going into this I couldn't think of a single Sade song or album title that I was aware of. Immediately that changed with "Smooth Operator" but I never knew it was their song. Each song was enchanting and seductive. Favorite Song: Frankie's First Affair
8/10
descargado
At first you’re cynical and presume this is one of those jazzy 80s things with a bass player with his axe strapped up too far, but it doesn’t take long to succumb to the quality of the first three tracks. Five of these songs are very familiar radio hits; the close listening on headphones reveals lovely double tracked harmonies and very slick percussion. Still loungey and not really my thing, but her voice is beautiful and the whole thing is perfectly realised. Some filler on Side Two, where you don’t realise the time has gone but you’re on to the final track. Highlight: Your Love is King, and the really patient build to the vocal on Why Can’t We Live Together? Low points: Sweet as Cherry Pie and the line about sticking together hand in glove.
Really fun to listen to the bass lines on this one
Beautiful, smooth voice some really nice rhythms. It’s a great album from the 80s.
I can't deny a smooth operator like Sade.
Pretty nice!
Thia album encapsulates the 80s. I would say it's an era defining album and I like the clever song about the Salvation Army. Although it's not my normal bag, I enjoyed it.
Sade is the nightclub singer in an 80s film noir. Slinky, black dress, diamond earrings while singing over the saxophone in a smoke-filled room. Sade is a vibe, and if you weren't there, you have no idea how much this album and this sound dominated the early 80s. Sure, it sounds a little dated, but the instruments are tight on this record, and her vocals are sexy and unmistakable. This really was the certain sound of an era.
Great voice! Great listen!
Album art:4
Not my usual kind of thing but I really enjoyed it.
Very nice, but can maybe go on a little long.
One of those albums that lasts through the ages. I only regret that I did not own it when I was collecting vinyl in my youth. Smooth Operator and Your Love Is King are the two stand-outs, but the rest of the album is some smooth listening. Would give a higher rating if there were more chart topper songs.
Carlos Sainz approves
Delightfully smooth. While the sax and piano are great my favorite part of this may be the lazy, rhythmic percussion. Nowhere is that demonstrated better than on the closer, which is my favorite song on the album. I love the pace at which the song moves - it feels like a slowcore song to me - and I think it has Sade's most longing vocals on the album. Sade's music got more nuanced after this but this is my favorite album I've heard from them. It's great for late nights and puts a lot of 80's sounds in a more refined, relaxed package.
I did not react to this album as I was expecting Thought I would hate it It’s actually a damn fine album An incredibly tight band, an unbelievably seductive singer Far, far better than I thought it would be
Smooth, hot, lush. I like this!
This album was so smooth that I didn't even walk while listening to it, I simply glided.
Reminds me of my youth!
Great album, great voice
Wow. Now I know why people love Sade. Absolutely great album that I completely overlooked. Happy that the list made me give it a chance. 4⭐️
Came in with no expectations, left floored by this album. It's so cool and I love the Noir feel of it, like walking through a rainy New York alley at night. Smooth Operator, great. Hang on to Your Love, great. My favorite was probably Sally, what a great track. A lot of the rest of the album has great vibes, but doesn't carry quite the highs throughout.
Favorite: Sally
Liked this more than expected. Steady stream of smooth and driven grooves. Vocal gymanistics with feeling, nice horns. Yeah
Probably a 3.5 that I'll bump up to a 4. What a voice, what a vibe! I couldn't really pick out which songs stood out to me, but listening to this a couple of times was a lovely way to start my morning. This made me want to listen to other albums from Sade, which is usually a good sign.
very lush album. i would do anything sade told me to no questions asked
Smooth Operator Your Love Is King Hang On To Your Love Why Can't We Live Together (cover of Timmy Thomas song from 1972)
Everyone knows the first track. If you like it you'll also like the rest of the album which is somewhere between smooth jazz and an early idea of neo-soul.
This is what I would imagine a hot girl listening to.
Smooth Operator is the best Steely Dan song that’s not a Steely Dan song
thoughts: look. “smooth operator” will always slap but i was not aware of the rest of sade’s game. first four songs are an amazing run; later tracks are good but definitely album cuts. sade’s voice and the band’s sound melt together so well, though, that the vibes are impeccable. “i will be your friend” was a fun little ballad there at the back end. this is just fuckin cool, and effortlessly so songs: “smooth operator”, “your love is king”, “frankie’s first affair” rating: 8.2/10
Bardzo przyjemne. Spójny ze sobą album. 4/5
I have never been able to hear Sade since it came out without an almost allergic reaction, it’s just soo smooth. So when this came up thought easy 1 or 2. But, I know should judge each on its own as objective as possible on it'sown merit, but the other day a moderner take on Ms Sade ie big selling pop female star was the pick and shit the difference let me listen to this with open ears. This is organic and obviously come from the artist, the bands songs, choices and sound opposed to the by committee , focus group lead, production heavy, faux trite that generally masquerades as modern pop. Enjoyed this enough to return to throughday and it'smy biggest score change - from this morning opening bars of smooth operator a definite i hate this to by days end 4 bloody stars. This is actually pretty ageless and probably will continue to have more shelf life than the auto tuning of today, only taken me near 40 years to see its value.
I was listening to a lot of electronica and punk/new wave when this was released. It took me until about 15 years later to actually listen to the full album. What a magnificent album it is. Just wonderful.
Fuckin great
Solid R&B album, enjoyable listen
Great album!
Again, I find this project’s commitment to Latin-inspired music funny and a little confusing. But I ain’t complaining. Pretty cool little album. Feels a bit of its time, but I would have loved it when it came out and would have annoyed the hell out of my college roommate with it.
Smooth Operator // Your Love is King // Hang On to Your Love // When Am I Going to Make a Living // Cherry Pie // I Will Be Your Friend //
Very smooth. "Smooth Operator" is a classic and deserves to be one. "Sally" flys under the radar but was my 2nd favorite. Overall a great album, but not quite perfect.
I really like the blend of R&B, soul and funk, while still mainly being pop, I think her voice fits the atmosphere perfectly, and the vocals are obviously amazing. I quite like the lyrics and storytelling. Not too much else to say, I feel like this is on par if not better than some of the stuff on Michael Jackson Thriller, but this feels more authentic somehow, I guess everything fits together better. Not really any downsides, some songs it kinda feels like 'ok I get it', in the first 30 seconds, and nothing much else happens. Favourite songs: All but: when am I going to make a living. Overall around 7/10
Nice sax
When I was growing up in the 80s, I assumed being an adult meant wearing pastel coloured suits with the sleeves rolled up, driving a Ford Capri, drinking cocktails in wine bars and listening to Sade. Mercifully, most of these things never came to pass - I do like a bit of Sade though. In my mind this music is inescapably ’wine bar’, but the soulful, understated vocals and smooth, jazz-lite music have a pleasing effect. I enjoyed listening to it.
Smooth music
smooth
I don't really have many notes for this one. She has a great voice and this is a very solid album. Mid 4.
Chad 4.5
It’s a pretty solid album! I could see if the vast majority of the songs came on, I would appreciate hearing them on this one. It’s not 100% my style, but I love learning about more artists like this that I would never really listen to before. I think four out of five is good, a few tracks really stood out to me, but the music is a really good beat.
Smooth Operator :)
Adu's voice is husky smoky perfection next to a Rhodes and a sax. I love smooth jazz (aka elevator music) and this is no exception. Frankie's First Affair, I Will Be Your Friend, and Your Love is King stand out, as does the tight bass/guitar interplay in When Am I Going to Make a Living. Arrangements are tight and intricate, bassline and percussion set the groove alight. Percussion is giving quite a bit of Phil Collins though, especially in songs like Why Can't We Live Together. Only thing I'd like to see is her let that beautiful voice loose - it feels like she is keeping it reigned in to fit with the band's overall smoothness. But holy cracker I bet she could reach right inside you and touch your soul if she let it rip. I'll listen to this again for sure. 4 stars because the album was great but left me feeling like it could have been pushed much further emotionally.
"Diamond Life" is the debut studio album by English band Sade. Smooth soul and sophisti-pop are the Wiki-listed genres. Yeah, pretty the definition of those two in the 80's. After studying fashion design, British-Nigerian lead singer and songwriter Sade Adu began her musical career as a back-up singer with the British group Pride. Adu and three Pride members (Paul Anthony Cook (drums), Paul Denman (bass) and Stuart Matthew man (saxophone, guitar) left to form Sade and eventually got signed to Epic Records. Keyboardist Andrew Hale rounded out the group. The album had wide-spread critical acclaim and won the1985 Brit Award for Best British Album. Commercially, it did well hitting #2 in the UK and #5 in the US. A bossa nova beat, sultry sax and Adu's voice talking opens "Smooth Operator." She eventually sings in her chill style about a "player" collecting girls from LA to Chicago to London. A break with the sax, bass and bells. Yeah, this the song that pretty much defines that 80's sophisti-pop. The next song "Your Love Is King" features the sax a little more prominently and actually ventures a little more into the jazz area. Adu sings about the love her man has given her. "Hand On to Your Love" brings the groove with a funky bass and Matthewman replaces the sax with a guitar. You better hang on to your love after playing all your games. Three for three out of the gate with good songs. Sade Adu wrote the lyrics for "When Am I Going to Make a Living" on the back of a cleaning ticket when she was near financial rock bottom. Bass, piano, a wah-wah guitar and sax solo. This song reminded me a lot of the Style Council...I'm not sure if that's a positive or negative. The album closes with "Why Can't We Live Together." A long instrumental introduction with percussion, bass, sax and piano. Adu gives a more forceful performance as she laments why can't they live together like everyone else. A jazzy guitar gave me a Steely Dan vibe on this one. This is an album that still sounds great, especially for the time it was recorded...very chill. The producer Robin Millar and band do a great job mixing up the lead instruments and styles. Besides the soul-pop, there's elements of jazz, funk and Caribbean. Sade Adu tends to rely on a laid-back sultry approach but as she does in "Frankie's First Affair" has the ability to make her voice soar. All the musicians make timely contributions. I was expecting this album to sound somewhat dated but sue to the sound and song quality, it sounded fresh to me and is one worth going back for a listen.
News to me that Sade is a group and not just Sade! The band did an incredible job on this album, evoking a great jazzy feel. Smooth Operator as the opener was absolutely incredible, the first couple of songs were a fantastic introduction to the band. Sade's vocals are incredible!
Coast To Coast, L.A. To Chicago 1001 Albums Generator 49 (06/10/2025) Sade is a band? I really thought it was just the lady. Okay wow. I also have always associated Sade with the 90's because of Love Deluxe, but that was the only album they released that decade, with 3 of their albums coming from the 80's! Idk, this is probably not crazy to people that know more about music than I do but it's just blowing my mind. Diamond Life is Sade's debut album and was the best-selling debut by a British female vocalist until Leona Lewis (literally who) took that mantle in 2008. However, high sales do not necessarily imply high quality, so do Sade deserve this success and the critical acclaim that has followed them their whole career? Well, I will say that it's really amazing that Sade found their sound so immediately. I have noticed a trend with the debut albums on this list where the first song is just an incredible artistic statement that defines the sound of the artist for their careers. Led Zeppelin I, Songs Of Leonard Cohen, and In The Court Of The Crimson King come to mind. Diamond Life is no different, opening with the incredible Smooth Operator. This song is Sade's most popular for good reason. It showcases their sophisti-pop sound that they would help pioneer with a Latin flare and they manage to do smooth jazz in a way that feels unique and artistic. As someone that loves jazz, when I think of smooth jazz, I think of that curly haired fuck Kenny G. It turns out that smooth jazz is something that can be soulful and beautiful. Your Love Is King and Hang On To Your Love are also great. The former has a great 6/8 groove and almost sounds like Steely Dan at times. I don't know if that's crazy to say, but the sax solo just gives me Aja vibes. Hang On To Your Love is groovy and has a fantastic drum sound in particular. Cherry Pie is a funk-fest, which is again a sound that I do not associate with Sade in my head but damn they can groove. I could see someone arguing that this song gets stale, with its slower tempo and minimal changes in dynamics throughout, but I think that it is written and played masterfully enough that I don't have that problem with it. I do think that this album suffers at times from smoothness overload. This is an argument I also saw leveled against Steely Dan, but that album had enough technical playing that those arguments could be quickly dismissed with a simple "you just don't get it man". On Diamond Life, I think there is more of an argument to be made. Songs like Sally and Why Can't We Live Together don't add much unique to the tracklist, and they certainly don't earn over 5 minutes of runtime each. It would be hard to say that these songs are bad; they have catchy moments and sound great in the background, but I just wouldn't reach for some of the tracks here in particular. From Kind Of Blue to KIWANUKA to Diamond Life, I have been blessed the last few days with different styles of cool, smooth jazz (or jazz-inspired) music. While these three albums are very different in their approach and influence, it has been a great three days. Diamond Life deserves its praise, although it does drag at times for me. 4/5. Favs: Smooth Operator Your Love Is King Cherry Pie Least Fav: Sally
Beautiful
this sounds how floating on your back in perfectly warm water feels. fav tracks: when am i gonna make a living; frankie’s first affair; cherry pie; smooth operator; hang on to your love; sally
i love this album. even though listening through it for the first time in awhile i realized it gets very repetitive after a few songs. however it almost kinda works because it put me in a trance because of how soothing it was, so maybe not necessarily a bad thing. but really only a few songs that i'd return to (and it's the same ones as i had going into this relisten).
SMOOOOOOTH OPERATOOOR
smoooooooooooooth operatorrrrrr
Jazz Pop, 1984 -> 4
Great album, I really enjoyed this.
Smooth and sexy can be used to describe this record. Most, if not all, songs include a "sexy" sax accompanied by a bumping bass line. A highlight for me on this album was that saxophone performance. I feel like it just added a little extra to each track. The only lowlight I could find was that the tracks sounded too similar to each other. Favourite Track(s): Your Love Is King Least Favourite Track(s): Frankie's First Affair
Enjoyable
Great vocals over smooth r&b/jazz beats
First time hearing a Sade album and yeah this was really great, love her voice and the jazzy stuff is sick
Pretty good album, never hear itt before but I enjoy it.
Usually don't go for overly 80s sounding albums, but this is a great realization of that sort of sound 4*
Awesome album. So smooth, its a vibe for sure.
Excelente álbum. Una combinación de muy buen gusto de jazz y soul. Varios de los grooves son muy memorables. La voz de Sade es icónica. Tal vez las letras de amor son lo más cliché, pero es música pop, así que no se puede esperar mucho más. Es increíble lo actual que suena siendo que es un álbum de los 80s. No solo marcó una época, sino que estuvo adelantado al mismo tiempo.
Watered down jazz which "real music listeners " might whine about but I quite enjoyed it. Not all the songs, of course, but if this album was a play, the stage would have been set very well As for the narrative, I might have to listen to other albums to know if this is her style or something she would get better at
i dig it
Once again, I wish you could put half ratings on these albums. This one is a solid 4.5/5. This is their first outing, so the subject matter is very young. Stories about made up people, making it in the industry and love-making. But the instrumentation? Whew. What takes it down a half score is that very reason, though. I love Sade the band and the person, but they don't seem as laser-focused as they would even on their next album. But, Sade at 75% is some bands 200%. This album isn't perfect, but "When Am I Gonna Make A Living," and "Your Love Is King" make a strong case for greatest songs in their discography. Love it so much.
Nothing quite like this, her vocal style on top of these rhythms. Sultry, suave, smooth but never boring somehow.
Sexy. Sensual. Saxophone. Fave song: Frankie's First Affair
I liked this but I think not as much as Love Deluxe that we did for another list. Still very smooth though
Leuk, goed, maar niet extreem spectaculair ofzso
What an album. A beautiful voice and very well known songs.
I’m an adult. I don’t have time for people who don’t like Sade.
нормалек.
I love her voice, and the smooth jazzy feel is right up my alley. I own this album, as well as several others and have been a fan for awhile now.
Could listen to Sade all day.
Really great R&B soul album loving the use of saxophone will definitely come back to this one
7,22
Läpikotaisin miellyttävää musiikkia ja ne kaksi tuttua kasarihittiä
Smooth Operator is a classic and I loved Cherry Pie. Sade is always great for some smooth R&B background music and is really easy to listen to.
Overall thoughts: This was a nice afternoon listen. No particular song really shined above the rest, but the album was pleasant and enjoyable. I read that Sally was about the Salvation Army, which made listening to the song a little creepier. Also I can’t head Smooth Operator and not laugh about Carlos Sianz (look it up)! Favorite songs: Smooth Operator and Cherry Pie
85/100.
3.5 stars
Why didn’t someone tell me I liked Sade.
Nice atmosphere and cool vibe, interesting stuff. 4 stars
A classic in the relaxing-music genre. Found the back half stronger than the front with more variety in arrangements and subject matter. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Smooth Operator, Cherry Pie, I Will Be Your Friend
Smooth
Soo good
Much like the title track, this album is smooth. We're talking velvet and silk; dim lights, maybe a fireplace.... *smacks self across face* SETTLE DOWN!
Slow Jazz. Smooth operator, baby.
Very enjoyable 4/5
No one has a voice like this smooth operator. jazzy-funky-smooth vibes. And you know it was recorded in the 80s because there's a tenor saxophone.
Such a beautiful voice. Great listen, just not completely for me.
Smooth operatooor....iconic opening track
A timeless classic.
Cool and smooth, Sade's voice is fantastic as she gracefully glides through these jazzy and funky numbers. Interestingly enough, I have had a smorgasbord of female vocalists this week with Sade, Carole King, and Nina Simone albums. Each of these ladies has a distinctly unique voice, and I have enjoyed them all. It's been a good week on the 1001.
Groovy, vocally seductive and the bass lines and jazzy flair kept me interested from beginning to end
I'll have to take their word for it that this was genre defining but they're correct to include the album. Very good
What makes this so enjoyable is just how easy it is to listen to. Someone should start a genre of music like that.
Arranged, produced, and, of course, operated with supreme smoothness.
Fun to listen to.
Great album
Just lovely, easy, smooth listening
Smooth operator in-mothafuckin-deed. This entire album is jazzy-soft rock and I fuck with it heavy.
Great
V nice
A great debut album. They sound like they’ve been playing for years. It’s not my style of music, but they do a great job.
S M O O T H Vocals, instrumentation, production, operators. Smooth everything.
Smooth indeed. Sade reeks of the 80’s - and I’m all aboard.
This is yet another album that I overlooked in the 80s, mainly because I didn’t have a cd player or get invited to the sort of dinner parties where this would be played as background music. Listening to this today shows that it really benefits from being heard through good headphones at high quality, rather than on a crackly AM radio - I’ve only just realised that she’s not singing about travelling to ‘Western Maine’ in Smooth Operator. Sade has a voice that soars effortlessly on this, but she also has an equal writing credit on all of the songs on here, and clearly deserved the huge success that this album enjoyed. I’m not normally a fan of smooth soul/R&B but this is a cut above similar records from around this time. Dinner-party-tastic!
Great voice in her way.
Smooth operator is worth at least 4 stars
This was lovely.
Deluxe. Very fresh when it was released and still a pleasing listen.
Now we're talking, some ultimate 80s smooth jazz. Such a guilty pleasure!
Sweet and smooth and let's round up because so many of us got laid to this record in the '90s. Plus, musically, it's legit Singing is great. Playing is tight, polished, etc.
Friday albums are back. Incredible voice, and a surprisingly enjoyable amount of saxophone. I think Promise is better though, hopefully that'll also be on the list.
She sure is a smooth operator. I hope we get love deluxe too. 9/10
1986. I have a lady friend over. We are chatting and chillin. I am playing some music that I had come to know by various Windham Hill artists - George Winston, Liz story, will ackerman. Not Michael hedges - not the right vibe. Creating a little ambience. So I'm trying to keep things going but I have played all the bucolic instrumental music in my collection . So I go into my brother's room cause I know he has some options - e is the one where introduced me to the whole Windham Hill thing. So I see kitaro - the japanese composer who lives at the base of mount Fuji and features a multitude of bird sounds and keyboard whisps. uh. That's a no. Next up 6 Andreas vollenweider - Swiss harpist - I mean. I'm sixteen. She's sixteen. It's pretty out there. Probably too much of a risk. Pass. And then I spot it - Sade's Diamond Life. I remember that song Smooth Operator from the radio a few years earlier. Not really my jam (I was 14 when it came out) but I remember it was you know - smooth. Probably wouldn't be off-putting. Maybe it would even create a nice...ambience. That's it. Ambience. I grab the cassette. Throw it in my boom box and bam - Sade. Smooth. Not a note out of place. That voice. The instrumentation. It's certainly has some similarities to the jazz of the day. Smooth. But it doesn't bother me here. Because it still feels like humans playing. Restrained but expressive. This would define their whole career. And what ambience. Wasted on a couple of 16 years olds but it did start a life long relationship with Sade While I usually like the get to it - for some reason this 40 year tease works. Even No Ordinary Love - which absolutely rips live (the live 2011 version)- they take you right to the edge - but their will be no rolling over. Just a long coda. An always good and often great band. And the ambience...
Excellent album to vibe out to. Soft, silky, beautiful. Will put it on again.
classic!
The lovely sultry voice of Sade Adu with a jazzy background makes for great music!
One of those that opens up more and more per listen, but it's very well put together even at first glance. Sade's voice is a huge highlight. All flows together amazingly and there's no track that I'd say is filler, at worst I could say there's little bits of dragging, I remember feeling that way a little with Cherry Pie. That said I could see it being even stronger in the right mood. I do think I prefer Love Deluxe ultimately, at least on the production side, but this one is still amazing.
easy 4, super chill, easy to listen to, thank you women
What I will say is Diamond Life while there's no denying it's a fantastic and beautiful album, it just isn't consistent enough for my taste. There are moments when the record shines so brightly you can’t help but get lost in its lush, soulful vibes, but as a whole, it doesn't quite fully work. The production on this album is absolutely gorgeous. Every track is bathed in smooth, polished sounds that effortlessly blend soft jazz, R&B, and a touch of pop. Sade's vocals are, as always, mesmerizing—silky, sophisticated, and full of understated emotion. When she sings, it’s like every word is delivered with a quiet confidence that immediately draws you in. The instrumentation is lush too; subtle keyboards, gentle percussion, and refined guitar lines create a soundscape that feels both timeless and comforting. Tracks like “Smooth Operator” really capture that essence and remind you why this album became such a classic. That said, the album’s consistency leaves a bit to be desired. While a handful of tracks hit all the right notes and flow beautifully, others feel a tad flat or disconnected from the overall vibe. It’s like there’s a gap in the cohesion of the record—some songs simply don’t match the magic of the others. This inconsistency means that, as a complete album, Diamond Life doesn’t quite hold together as well as it could. I found myself wishing for a bit more variety in pace or emotional depth on some of the lesser moments, which in turn detracts from the album's overall impact. Diamond Life is a stunning record that displays Sade's exceptional talent and the pure beauty of her music. However, despite its high points and those unforgettable tracks, the album as a whole doesn't fully hit the mark due to its inconsistent flow. It’s a solid 3.8/5 stars for me. a must-listen for its brilliance, even if it occasionally leaves you wanting just a bit more.
No complaints, but wasn't blown away or anything. Still really solid and looking forward to hearing what's next because it's apparently peam. Bass and sax holdin it down. 7.5/10
I didn't relaize how many of the songs i've heard off of this already. A lot more nostalgic then i expected it being.
aggressively chill, I would feel bad rating it lower.
8/10 Sade’s debut album is a flawed masterpiece that serves more as a great sampler for what’s to come. After starting her career in fashion and modeling and eventually running away with a backing band, they crafted the successful formula for a perfect “Sophisti-Pop” band, making “Sade” (both the artist and the band) an absolute icon for the genre. However, Diamond Life has a sort of lack of consistency, especially with how stacked the first side of the record was in terms of hits. She had the shortcomings of an inexperienced songwriter with everything in its right place. A fantastic voice, phenomenal production and backing band, it was extremely easy to glaze over any weaker songs with all the Jazzy instrumentation. All she really needed to do was give us a couple of absolutely perfect hit singles and some filler jams that make for good background noise at the cocktail bar. It’s easy to see why this album specifically has succeeded the most, especially amongst British audiences who adored the extremely sophisticated appearance of her music. Even though it seems I’m being a bit nit picky with this record, I only critique it because of how phenomenal the rest of her discography gets, with Promise being the fully realized Sophisti-Pop masterpiece people think Diamond Life is, and Love Deluxe being one of the greatest Soul albums in history. Strangely, as her music appeared less “fancy”, and started to evolve more into modern Soul, she started to lose that British audience a bit. Those damn red coats lacking taste yet again.
So groovy, this is a sunny Sunday album
The saxophone was really nice
Irgendwie ne sehr chillige Stimme die Frau, hat mir gefallen - 4 Sterne
Angenehme Stimme. Smoooooth Operator.
I mean, it’s awful isn’t it?(!) Sade was stunningly beautiful and still is. The songs and style were effortlessly cool and still are. Each tune is like a warm bath of honey, enveloping, caressing, nurturing. How rubbish is that! I recently fell down a Sade rabbit hole when we were all listening to Dido and I then went on a female singer songwriter binge. I’d forgotten the sheer power of this album. The tragedy is back in the 80s I just wasn’t that into her! How sad! But now… I will be your friend.
Music for ski chalets and yachts!
A sultry and soulful listen that's aged like a fine wine. At times it's a bit easy listening for my tastes, but that's the only knock I have.
Sade has long been balm for my soul.
I just realized that I've only ever heard the single version of "Smooth Operator" all of my life. Thought I was listening to a completely different track to start this. Anyway, I like me some Sade. Not sure if this was the album to best suited to represent the group, but I digress. It's cool, smooth, and most of all, sexy. Sade's sensual voice is obviously at the front, but the ensemble of smooth drums, omnipresent basslines and keyboard and sax complete the picture. Sade's discography only gets better from here in my opinion, but this is still a good debut from one of the bigger sophisti-pop players in the game.
Takes me back. Great, smooth & just timeless.
Smoooooth operaaaator
7.5/10
Gorgeous, smooth voice. Sade is the true smooth operator. The music is classic 80s soul. Great listen. 4/5
7/10 "Smooth Operator" and "Your Love is King" are very strong, and rightly hits. Such a smooth album.
Ok, ça c'est du vrai bon soul, avec ce qu'on a eu dernièrement, ça fait du bien à l'âme
Listened to after work, learned her name is Shadé
I like this album.
smooth as a baby's bottom
so smooth so chill
Is that the same font as Nirvana’s Bleach? Anyway, wow! I really liked this! This is a lotta fun, in a smooth kind of way.
I played this to death on vinyl, as I did with the second album (which I marginally prefer). One look down the track listing and I can phrase each song in my head still. four stars, as they did at times succumb to a cheesy sax solo or two. But pretty perfect sophisti-pop and spawned several minime's like Swing Out Sister.
Had not heard of Sade until a couple years ago. Got an Uber to the airport at 3am in Savanah, and the driver had some intense Taxi Driver vibes. Telling me about all the terrible people he gives ride to. He played Sade the entire time and really sold me. Went on to listen to this album and enjoyed it. Still haven’t really figured Sade out but I think that’s her thing. Mysterious. Frankie’s First Affair has been on the regular rotation since.
I remember being in the back of an Uber like ten years ago when I heard Sade for the first time. Was so surprised she wasn’t a bigger name growing up, though maybe just not in my world. This album is awesome. Beautiful instrumentals and such a smooth voice. Especially love Frankie and Sally.
Muy chulo, soul beats to relax/study to. A partir de hoy le guardo bastante cariño a este álbum y seguramente vuelva a él. Canción destacada: Smooth Operator
Smooth classy soul/r&b. She can sing too.
Smooth as hell
Even though I don't enjoy the music as much as other genres her voice alone makes this worth 4 stars or B+.
Smooth & funky jazz with Sade singing over it. Nothing bad about this album 1001 album worthy: Yes - 45/79
Difficult one to rate for me. It's smooth despisable and awfully cheesy 80's adult contemporary music, but its executed so incredibly well. The recording is crisp and every note and beat is well thought out. It's more 80's Steely Dan than Michael Bolton or Richard Marx. Very commendable to make the dreariest and most cliche music genre sound good. Smooth Operator is a certified classic and I really liked Frankie's First Affair as well.
Smoooooooooooooooooooooth.
Vibes are HIGH. Smooth Operator is all time. This is really my first time hearing Sade but I feel like I’m a noir detective in a smoky night club tailing a lead and that feeling is always good.
So smooth, so jazzy, so sensual, so Sade. I really enjoy the '80s production on this thing. Those synth and drum sounds are the perfect amount of corny, and help to make the whole thing feel like love in an elevator or something. My only gripe is that the tracks get a little too same-y and tend to meander for a bit too long. With an average track length of nearly 5 minutes, I'd expect each one to be doing some fun things composition-wise, not just repeating the same phrases. It's not groundbreaking, but it's fun and sexy and sometimes that's enough. 7.5/10
Not much I can say about this album - not even close to being one of my Sade favourites and its still so important as the genesis of the band's eventual evolution into a genre-blending/R&B fusion powerhouse. Such a treat to listen to this one <3
An absolute banger, smooth operator is obviously a bop, hadn’t really heard any of the other songs before! Cherry Pie was very groovy, all in all really enjoyed!!
Fantastic album, one of my fave vinyls to put on in the background, the whole album is just cooL. This album sounds so good on good speakers / a good pair of headphones - Sade has a powerful voice and the instruments are great throughout, love the sax 😎 Fav song gotta be smooth operator (cherry pie runner up)
This is one heck of an album. The beginnings of Sade, with some of the greatest hits on here. The music is so sensual and smooth it unbelievable. I think this group was one of the first to combine jazz, r&b and ophisticated pop. All of the tracks bring out Sades voice, as well as the nice and laid back instrument section, which provides a musical background, without being boring. Including nice bass lines and drum fills. I'm assuming other albums of the group are also on the list, so I resisted to listen further.
Sade - Diamond Life Really good smooth album from sade, first impression was how catchy and melodic it sounded, i really have no other words to explain this, this is really good! 1.- Smooth Operator = 9/10 2.- Your Love Is King = 9/10 3.- Hang On to Your Love = 7/10 4.- Frankie's First Affair = 8/10 5.- When Am I Going to Make a Living = 8/10 6.- Cherry Pie = 9/10 7.- Sally = 9/10 8.- I Will Be Your Friend = 9/10 9.- Why Can't We Live Together = 7/10 FINAL SCORE: 8.3/10
....
She was in the David Bowe zone of unapproachably cool. A great album. Inimitable sound.
Singer has a lovely voice which made me happy. Nice chill vibes but some of the songs got repetative after a while. Don't think I'll listen again. Favourite track: Why can't we live together
Very smooth, I like it.
Solid Sade sound
A nice sexy time
JFC, how many babies were born 9 months after this album came out. If you don’t like this, you don’t like sex. This album is probably called diamond life due to all the engagement rings people threw at her during her shows.
Awesome, soft
I enjoyed this one, it was smooth, soulful and full of emotion. Love and loss were oozing out everywhere. Her voice is a little different and just seeps into every pore.
This is so heartfelt and romantic. The grooves are sublime and I really enjoyed playing bass to it. It's not overcomplicated and the grooves just flow. Great song writing! favorites: Smooth Operator, Hang On to Your Love, Cherry Pie, I Will Be Your Friend.
This is so super silky smooth. She has a very warm and sensual voice, and the music feels almost like it envelops you, and it's something I found myself getting a little lost in even. Favorites were Smooth Operator, Hang on to Your Love, and Cherry Pie.
This is OK. Sure, I get why it's seen as easy to listen to, but at least it has some swagger to it. Maybe it helps that it's my era, so I can put images to Smooth Operator. But I quite enjoyed this and would, frankly, listen to it again as an album.
## In-Depth Review of *Diamond Life* by Sade Sade's debut album, *Diamond Life*, released in 1984, marks a significant moment in music history, blending elements of soul, jazz, and pop into a cohesive and sophisticated sound. The album not only showcases Sade Adu's distinctive vocal style but also reflects the cultural and musical landscape of the mid-1980s. This review will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while also discussing its pros and cons. ### ****Lyrics The lyrics of *Diamond Life* delve into themes of love, heartbreak, and social commentary. Each song tells a story that captures the complexities of relationships and personal experiences. - **Love and Longing**: Tracks like "Your Love Is King" and "Smooth Operator" explore romantic relationships with a blend of passion and melancholy. "Smooth Operator," in particular, presents a narrative about a charming yet manipulative lover, encapsulating the duality of attraction and danger. - **Social Commentary**: Songs such as "When Am I Going to Make a Living" address broader societal issues, including economic struggles and gender dynamics. The lyrics reflect a sense of disillusionment with the promises of success in a capitalist society. - **Character Studies**: The song "Sally" serves as a poignant character study, portraying the life challenges faced by women in society. Sade's ability to create relatable characters adds depth to her storytelling. ### ****Music Musically, *Diamond Life* is characterized by its smooth jazz influences combined with pop sensibilities. The instrumentation features prominent bass lines, lush saxophone melodies, and subtle percussion that create an atmospheric soundscape. - **Instrumentation**: The album employs a variety of instruments, including saxophones, keyboards, and brass sections. This rich instrumentation contributes to the album's overall sophistication. - **Vocal Delivery**: Sade's vocal style is often described as sultry and aloof, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics. Her voice effortlessly glides over the smooth musical arrangements, creating an intimate listening experience. - **Production Quality**: Produced by Robin Millar, the album showcases polished production techniques that were ahead of their time. The mixing balances Sade's vocals with the instrumental backdrop, ensuring clarity and richness in sound. ### ****Themes *Diamond Life* encapsulates several themes that resonate deeply with listeners: - **Ambivalence in Relationships**: Many songs reflect on the complexities of love—its joys and sorrows. The duality of desire versus caution is prevalent throughout the album. - **Socioeconomic Commentary**: The lyrics often critique societal norms and expectations, particularly regarding wealth and success. This theme is especially evident in tracks like "When Am I Going to Make a Living." - **Empowerment vs. Vulnerability**: Sade explores the tension between empowerment and vulnerability in relationships. While her characters often seek love and connection, they also grapple with feelings of insecurity and loss. ### ****Influence The impact of *Diamond Life* on music cannot be overstated. It played a pivotal role in shaping the genre known as sophisti-pop—a blend of pop music with jazz influences characterized by its smooth production and sophisticated lyrical content. - **Cultural Significance**: The album emerged during a time when British pop was transitioning from punk to more polished sounds. Sade's unique fusion helped define a new era in music that embraced both commercial appeal and artistic integrity. - **Legacy**: *Diamond Life* has influenced countless artists across genres. Its seamless blend of styles paved the way for future acts to explore similar musical territories while maintaining emotional depth in their work. ### ****Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: The fusion of jazz, soul, and pop creates a unique listening experience that remains timeless. - **Strong Lyrical Content**: The storytelling aspect is compelling, offering both personal reflections and broader societal critiques. - **Iconic Tracks**: Songs like "Smooth Operator" and "Your Love Is King" have become classics that continue to resonate with audiences today. #### Cons - **Pacing Issues**: Some listeners may find the album's slow tempo challenging or monotonous over time. - **Perceived Lack of Variety**: Critics have noted that while the sound is polished, it can sometimes feel overly uniform or lacking in dynamic range compared to more experimental works from the era. ### Conclusion In summary, *Diamond Life* by Sade stands as a monumental debut album that blends lyrical depth with sophisticated musicality. Its exploration of love, societal issues, and personal narratives resonates across generations. While it may have its pacing issues for some listeners, its innovative sound and emotional richness solidify its place as one of the defining albums of the 1980s. As Sade continues to influence artists today, *Diamond Life* remains an essential part of music history—a testament to the power of art to convey complex human experiences through song.
Smooth operator🕺🕺🕺
Smoother than peanut butter and almost as good.
Big fan of Sade and super familiar wit this album , not my fav Sade but no one does smooth quite like Sade … soulful and poppy and beautiful … a stable in my rotation
Favourite tracks: your love is Kung; smooth operator; cherry pie; sally; when am I going to make a living
A magnificent woman and a magnificent band to boot. No one has ever managed to make the smooth, sultry, loungey, proto-downtempo sound feel as good to listen to as Sade. Is it their best album? Probably not. But it is seminal.
This is really good. Its a vibe
This soul and smooth jazz style is right up my alley. The first track alone makes it a real gem. I listen to this type of music quite often.
Tolles Album mit einem Hauch von Soul und Jazz auf einem poppigen Fundament - und mit einer coolen Stimme (mir gefällt sie schon seit 40 Jahren!). Als Debut definitiv hörenswert und toll gemacht!
Very smooth, I really enjoyed dancing around to this in the house.
4/5
Ergens weet ik dat dit album deels omhooggehouden wordt door de pilaren die 80s muziek onweerstaanbaar goedkoop en zoetsappig maken, wat in deze generator al meermaals een afknapper was. Maar mijn god, ik smelt weg bij dit album. Het is extreem binnen de lijntjes en verfijnd, en de saxofoontjes zijn bijna een persiflage op jazz-acts van weleer, maar geen van deze factoren doen afbreuk aan de hemelse sensatie als ik haar (en hun) muziek hoor. Sterker nog, ik noem een muziekact zelden perfect, maar in het genre waarin zij zich bewegen (ergens moeiteloos tussen cheesy pop en sensuele R&B), is Sade feilloos en volmaakt. En Sade Adu's adembenemende voorkomen past perfect in dat plaatje. ''Diamond Life'' grossiert in elegantie en subtiele grooves, en voelt ondanks die typische 'slick' 80s sound ook telkens een tikkie mysterieus. Het begin- en middenstuk zijn om door een ringetje te halen. 8,5/10 Highlights: Smooth Operator Your Love Is King Hang On to Your Love Cherry Pie
Diamond Life is 40 jaren jong. Want hoe goed doen de bangers van Sade het nog in de huidige tijd. Het is een blend van alles wat guilty én goed is uit de 70's en 80's. Alleen van de saxofoon krijg ik soms een klein mondbraakje, maar die slik ik wel weer in. Kant B matcht niet de kracht van kant A, want die kan bijna integraal in de party-playlist voor aanstaand 30-feestje. 8/10 Highlights Smooth Operator Hang on to Your Love
Good
Very smooth.
Kann man immer mal wieder hören zum Runterkommen
This album made me pregnant and I'm a man
Like a lovely cup of coffee this!
Almost tropical With a calming seduction Breezy melodies
- Sade Adu is the lead singer of this band Sade, formed from their previous band Pride, with which Sade and the guitarist/saxophonist and bassist left to record together under the new name - They created this gem of pure 80s soul - This is a really relaxing album, that I'm sure I've heard several tracks from in the past - Are any tracks "Bangers"? I'm not sure, Smooth Operator is pretty kicking, but this album isn't a party pumping one, nor one for the mosh pits. - I think this is a solid album that hits all the right places for a Soul/RnB album from the 80s
Solid soft rock/pseudo-jazz album. Sade's vocals are always mesmerizing and her backup band is as tight as it gets. Even the non radio hits are well done.
Smooth
She’s so fucking cool
Immaculate, beautiful production, I love the way the songs are built, and while there isn't a ton of variety, that defining sound is perfected to a tee. It's smooth jazz with sex and soul, and that is a very good thing. Why Can't We Live Together is the perfect song to cover in this style.
Fantastic classic from Sade. Hang On To Your Love is actually my favourite.
Wijs album! Kende enkel Smooth Operator (maar da's niet eens het meest gestreamde nummer?). Een ideaal album om op te viben. Dit zie ik me nog eens luisteren op een nachtelijke rit na een optreden ofzo. 3.9
ive been thinking of what to say for hours but tbh im prob not in the right headspace for writing and also this is just about the most self-evidentially good music i can think of! if u share any values with western popular music, uve got something to chew on here...rich and melodic and polished and authentic and above all else constantly Touching. arrangements and vocal performances that feel like some kind of logical endpoint of those entire concepts, and yet idk its always human and approachable in all its mastery, never feels alienating or like its Above You even as u have to admire it. i cant even imagine what set of life circumstances could set u up to not love this besides like, racism HFJKFHSJKFSHKJ
Weird reviews on here like saying this is "too smooth" as if that's a negative. Also hating on the sax. Insanity. I really enjoyed the album overall. When I listen to Sade I'm not expecting Mudhoney's raw, noisy sound.
Really solid album. Loved her voice. A few of the songs felt pretty one-note but I really enjoyed this album. I've never heard of her before this, so I might check her stuff out.
Smooth Operator is in top ten of pop-hits forever! Masterpiece! Nice album!
Sade has a very nice soft voice. I've always liked this album in particular, especially the tracks Smooth Operator and Why can't We Live Together. Very cool and very smooth. 4/5
Start of a legend
Enjoyable and smooth.
i really like the sound and chill vibe of the album the songs are kind of all the same, smooth operator is amazing tho
A well produced and performed album.
It brings me right back to that time
No creí que este disco fuera tan bueno.
Smooth rhythm and cool saxophone surround flawless vocals. A really soothing mix.
Well orchestrated, lovely toasty voice. Interesting to listen to. Great for traditional slow dancing. Nice musical flourishes.
I have made out and had sex to this album easily a dozen times.
A few good songs, a few classics. But I'm not the biggest fan of some of the songs.
Good vibes loved it
This fucks
smooth
Very soothing
Loved it!
Good vibe but too sleepy for a mid-afternoon fall tune.
Think I would have gotten a better class of bird if I’d tried fingering them to this rather than Grace Under Pressure.
Smooth, baby
Sexy jazzy smooth cool ass album. Enjoyed.
Fico
i liked this one a lot. great vibe to it. feeling loved. 9/10
It'd be easy to dismiss this as a corny 80s album with a couple hits, but on a full listen it deserves a lot better than that review. Soul, funk, pop; jazzy muted trumpets, sax, bass, synths; long, expansive tunes - it's sprawling in every direction of genre, instrumentation and song length, yet the whole album is tightly constructed. And Sade's voice, perfect.
Decent
Jazzy and Epic and Smooth Operatooooorrrr
Great debut album. Sade is so smooth and the band operates with like a well-oiled sophista-jazz machine. Would like to know which other 6 songs they cut for this album cause the ones that made it are all good. Nothing beats this if you want a nice romantic evening with your sig-O. You start out with this and then throw on a little Marvin "Let's Get it on" and you know where it leads...3.55
Credit to Sade on a pretty great debut album. It opens with a very strong 3-fer and while the rest of the album isn't as good it is still a solid listen. There's something very pleasant about the backing band's smooth bass and sax accompaniment. This album must have been on in our house a lot as a youth because a couple of these songs lived deep within my psyche despite not recognizing the names. 3.63 stars
one or two songs sounded like music that would be playing in a Dillards. the rest were bangers, i really liked hang onto your love
So many samples have come from this album
More sex was had to this record upon its release than any record since Roxy Music's Avalon. It's also great musically – smoothly and exquisitely played, beautifully sung – with a sustained mood of most sophisticated languor and stylish ennui. One fully dug then, continues to dig now (though rarely listens), and believes it to have held up very well indeed.
Cool
really solid album. catchy tunes, slow and smooth. the production sounds as bit dated at this point but the songs are decent enough to carry it past that. a good time, but not a great time.
Beautiful album, incredible voice, chill music
I have heard of the band Sade, but I have never listened to them before. They are a group whose style blends soul and sophisti-pop, formed by singer Sade Adu, saxophonist/guitarist Stuart Matthewman, and bassist Paul Denman, with Andrew Hale on keyboard duties. Diamond Life is their debut album, and I will say it is pretty good for what it is. This is the kind of sensual music where Sade Adu's sultry contralto voice carries most of the tunes, with the rest of the band providing good soul/light jazz instrumentation to neatly back her up. It does help that the band does flourish when it needs to, particularly with the saxophone solos on "Smooth Operator" and "Love is King." If I had to complain, there's not much variation in the lyrical content. This is mostly a collection of love songs, where Sade Adu plays coy with the love interest while also observing relationships that fall apart such as on the track "Frankie's Love Affair." I will say there is a nice deviation in "When Am I Going to Make a Living", wherein she sings about surviving on the fringes of a livable wage. Given that Sade Adu squatted early on in her career, this song does come off as drawn from personal experience. Overall, it's a solid debut album from a group that would go on to influence the neo-soul sound. I'll give it a solid recommendation.
Really solid all the way through. Sade would have killed an 80s James Bond song.
Buen marques, mejor perrera
Ohja hoor, album over het weekend getild maar dat was een topkeuze. Wakker worden met Smooth Operator, veel beter gaat het niet worden! Hoop dat de rest van het album dezelfde kwaliteit heeft en dit kan zomaar een erg lekkere sessie worden. En het tweede nummer pakt gewoon lekker door, met een werkelijk waar fantastische saxofoon solo. En eigenlijk gaat dit vrijwel het hele album door. Sade klinkt geweldig, de muziek is ook echt top. Vaak lekker funky. En ik vind het persoonlijk geweldig dat de nummers lang zijn, maar niet 10 minuten lang ofzo. Een soulplaat mag van mij al snel 5 minuten zijn, dat er genoeg tijd is voor een goede solo ofzo. Dat is hier zeker het geval. Het album kakt wel een beetje in, in het midden, maar verder vind ik dit oprecht een geweldig album! FAVO: Smooth operator, Your love is king, Hang on to your love, Sally, Why can't we live together
Nice background music. Not sure I’d pick this every day but there’s a time and place for it. I also can see why “Smooth Operator” was a hit.
They do what they do very, VERY well. It's not for me but this album deserves praise. Everyone is on their A game. The fusion of a few genres all come together to make a smooth, easy listening album that fits the mood you're looking for perfectly.
Smooth Operator was the only hit from this record in my country, so that's all I knew going into this. This album has that manufactured "effortless cool" thing going on. I actually love the singers voice here as it suits the music perfectly. I would have liked just a tad more variety to make each song a bit more distinct.
Chill out to this, and you're automatically cool for 45 mins