Reviews (page 8 of 13)
I think I prefer this to the other Sade album on the list. This is calming and voice is great. For some reason I have a little trouble understanding the lyrics.
Standout voice, very good singles (first two tracks) and the remainder are pleasant enough if not essential listening.
This lady can sing. The first two tracks were the best. Not quite my genre, but good for it's type.
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
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.
All the songs sound the same, but it’s not bad
Smooth 80’s yuppie pop…I sort of dig it. 3.1
2,5
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.
7/10 - some classics here, nice relaxed pop vocals, also not overly long or dragged out
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.
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.
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".
Solid album.
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.
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
i was expecting more
Ok but not for me, some classic songs
Great album. Love 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.
Okay I love Sade but this album not much compared to others….
Smoot operat. 6/10
I don't feel like this has aged well. I liked the lyricism and storytelling, but the musical arrangements overshadowed her voice.
S'alright.
Not that bad. I don’t know why you would listen to a whole album of this kind of music.
Above average R&B slop
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
Some good songs but idk it wasn’t amazing
Smooth operator is voor mij wel het bekendste liedje van Sade. Heerlijke plaat, zeker om in de mood te komen. Niet superbijzonder.
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.
not my prefered genre nor my fav album of sade but SADE ADU THE WOMAN YOU ARE!!!! lemme feel that voice range!! SING ITT!!!!!
The album is okay but apart from a couple of songs the rest for me is just nice music to have on the background.
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.
Enjoyed smooth operator but nothing else really struck me.
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.
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.
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.
This is just a very cool album. Starts off really well, wains a little towards the end. Enjoyed it though.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
3.5
Very soulful and 80s
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
Groovy!
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
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!
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.
its fine. prob foundational. too slow and not enough emotion for me; put it in broadening anyway
Smooth Operator is a great song. The rest of the album has the same mellow beat, but the songs aren't quite as strong.
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.
Ok
Pretty smooth lounge music.
RATING: 6/10 HIGHLIGHT: Your Love is King LOWLIGHT: Cherry Pie
😮💨
Real Classic Africa POP from the 80s brings back memories
not as good as love deluxe
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
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
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
Sade really has a voice! There’s a reason this album sold so well. This whole album is a jazzy pop soulish vibe.
smooth operator
Hey it was ok
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 :)
Lowkey understated.
Well done but not my thing
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.
Jazzy, a bit boring
it`s good I guess but not my kind of music
Wine Bar Music - but Premier Cru Wine Bar music
Okay!
Chill 80s album
Perfectly fine, though I think her 1992 album Love Deluxe is really much better. I also liked 808 State more 😂. 3 stars is apparently a broad umbrella for me.
In theory I should like this, she sounds great and the music grooves but this has always kinda bored me
first track is obviously a hit, the rest was cool to listen through, not a TOP album at all but really loved it sonically. Coincidentally, just saw today that Sade ("shar-DAY") was just entered into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
I love her voiceeee, felt the lyrics a bit basic but still an enjoyable album
Easily recognized for the radio hits. This one got a lot of play in its day. I also read and remembered that it could double as an emergency zombie killer in a disarmed society. (Shaun Of The Dead).
gran disco, buenos temas. se disfruta escuchar
Favorite Track: Smooth Operator
it is indeed smooth and chill, the whole way through. it's one note but at least that note is good.
Good enough. ★★★
Nice and smooth
The thing about smooth jazz that I tend to forget is that it's usually made by incredible musicians. I don't often like the whole, but there's no denying the parts. I had low expectations. This exceeded them.
Probably foundational, not my cup of tea. Great vocals, interesting Brazilian beats, but a little ambient/lounge vibe just didn't hit for me.
3/5
I found this very pleasant to listen to and could have it playing just about anytime. I was already familiar with Smooth Operator, but that was about it. Anyway, although enjoyable, it didn’t excite me at all and is the perfect example of a 3 star album for me.
Funky. Soul. Not A single banger. But good music all around. 4.5/9 70.71%
This was about what I expected. Background music. Good background music, but still. Not for me.
Although its cool and her voice is really sexy, I lind of listen a lot like of wham. Same style and delivery. Not my thing but cool music
Guaranteed to have smooth operator stuck in my head for a week now.
2/3. This album sounds like luxury. The arrangements can be a little boring at times, but more often than not they’re actually very musically interesting. But the centerpiece is obviously her voice; so rich and sensual. Really enjoyed listening to this, even if much of the album feels similar track to track.
Not a go to album for me, but on first listen I just enjoyed the chilled vibe. Played it a few times through the afternoon in the sunshine. Not groundbreaking but enjoyable
2 song became my fav!!
I would have told you in the 1980s that I hated this music. But I was a child and this album is great.
Good instrumentals. Sade has nice smooth vocals, but they're a little too smooth and with her singing style remaining mostly the same throughout the album, I found myself getting tired of her voice on repeat listens. My favorite track was "Frankie's First Affair".
I can see why Sade is praised so much. They really knew how to use a saxophone in the 80's
Hey, that’s iconic! Mastered very well.
Beautiful voice. Music was just ok.
Smooth Operator is a great song. The rest of the album can’t quite match that level, but it’s very chill. Tons of sax.
I liked this more than I was expecting to. I bet this was a huge hit in 1984! It still sounds modern.
Favourite Song: Sally Rating: 3.5 Stars Relaxing, with several moving songs. She has an amazing voice, and the rest of the band is also very good. However, nothing particularly stood out to me. Beautiful, but forgettable.
Was pretty good way to start a raining, tired Monday morning. Solid 3.5
This is fine, background listen stuff. Frankie my favorite, I guess
Sade mag ich gern, vor allem "Love Deluxe". Das Album hier klingt noch sehr nach den 80ern.
Loved smooth operator and frankies first affair but the rest fell flat
Couple bangers in here. Felt a little like a female version of George Michael’s. Really liked the groove a couple of the songs got into Fave songs: Smooth Operator and Hang on To Your Love Rating 3.5/5
Chill and sexy. I like the aux percussion and the organ and the electric piano. I wish there was just a tad more variety in tempo, key and time signature tho—some tracks were not especially memorable.
3.25 - I liked it pretty well. I definitely wouldn't throw the vinyl at a zombie, even if it belonged to Liz.
Smooooth operator! 3.5/5
Very soulful.
Aburrido, decepcionado
All the smooth jazz and soul you could want.
Beautiful voice.
5/10
Decent album with nice groove and vibe to it. From time to time it felt a little dull but overall it was a nice listening experience.
2.5 Stars Not bad, but not for me. Couple good tracks, but I'm not likely to come back to it. We love a good saxophone, though, so it gets an extra .5 for that
It’s not really my style of music, but I can appreciate that it’s a great album, and it brings back memories.
Very chill. Made for a good morning commute listen.
Good album. But she has better ones. Songs to long
음악을 가구처럼~
Enjoyed that much more than I expected to.
Great listen, laid-back impression, fantastic songs. I just can't rate the album higher because it's not my genre.
Props to the saxophone player
Smooth Operator is so good but it's clearly the standout
I'm not cool enough to really appreciate this.
3.25
Not bad
Just okay
Pretty good - not really my sort of thing but she has a great voice and the melodies are a relaxing listen.
3/5
This was a very new style for me but I enjoyed it. Pretty consistent all the way through with some strong sax parts. Hard to carry an album with a saxophone but this made it work.
Not my fave Sade
i feel like i'm getting seduced fav song: Smooth Operator
This is a vocalist so remarkably skilled and blessed with so great a voice she overcomes my dislike of the genre. She did record one song I truly loved, but it's not on this album.
Cool background music but I feel like the songs all sounded the same.
This was pretty average. Sade is a great singer and this isn’t bad by any means, but it does start to sound similar. The guitar funk tones are great. Liked Songs: "Smooth Operator" , "Your Love Is King" , "Hang On to Your Love" , "When Am I Going to Make A Living" , "Cherry Pie"
Good 3
Objectively good, but I just couldn’t get behind the lyrics. First two tracks are stellar.
This is basically what I expected it to be after seeing the cover. It’s good, but not up my alley 2/27/26
2.7 Like I'm having a really long elevator ride and the elevator decides to come on to me and it's just kind of awkward.
A really good album. A smooth operator on the ears.
It’s a smooth sound. Almost too smooth
Sade is alright in my books but I feel like you need to be in a particular mood to throw this on.
Typical album for the 80s via incorporating funk and jazz influences Best-Smooth operator Worst-Frankies first affair
Muito mais do mesmo. Algumas músicas muito boas. 3 estrelas está bom
okay
Nothing much to say about this album other than I wished I liked it more. The instrumentation is smooth and good, Sade Adu is a fantastic singer, and the songs are good. Just... not great. Or maybe they are great, but it's just not for me. I would never say that this album is bad, and there is a lot to love here, but it's nothing I find incredibly interesting. I had a fine time listening to the album, but it's not fantastic and the chances of me re-listening to this album are slim to none. Good, but not great. The highlight for this album is Hang On to Your Love, which is a great song that is so well done.
Not what I’d usually put on - middle of the road for me
I like Sade's voice but her vocal hooks tend to be repetitive and same-y. I like the chill vibe but at the same time I got kind of bored with it and was skipping ahead before I hit the half way point. I liked it more than I didn't like it. 2.5/5
Quite good
Pretty much put me to sleep.
SMOOTH OPERATORRRRRRR. what a chill album, really really good
Not my thing.
Smooth and easy. I do like the clarity of the instruments and the voice. It's a very pleasant experience, but I probably won't return to it.
some smooth shit right here oh yeah.
Groovy I liked everything going on here, but I could’ve used a little more variety. Some of the songs seemed too similar. 3-3.5
Perfect background music for getting a tooth drilled.
Nice album. Obviously Smooth Operator is an iconic song, but I really think I liked Cherry Pie the most, very good
Summer in the 80s—smooth jazz
Je connaissais uniquement le morceau 'Smooth operator' de Sade, en particulier sa superbe ligne de basse. Les autres morceaux, plutôt soul que jazz, sont sympas à écouter : basse, sax et clavier (accompagnement et chorus), et voix plutôt agréable. Mais parfois les morceaux sont inutilement longs, avec trop de chant et pas assez de chorus pour relever l'ensemble. Je l'écouterais probablement de nouveau, mais il ne rejoindra donc pas ma collection. =>3/5
Love makin’ music
Smoooootttthh operator
This album packed a lot more bass than I expected. It was pretty great. Smooth Operator will probably be stuck in my head for the rest of the day.
A very smooth listen. 3.5
Smooth. Always loved a bit of Sade. Tight band. Good groove and Sade’s smooth as silk voice. Time travel back to the 80s thanks to the sax, but stands up really well. Arrived fully formed and mined the same seam from here on, so the debut is the best for me. Solid 3
Nothing I didn't already expect going in. Sade is brilliant, but I already knew the vibe. Maybe I wast feeling it that day
Beautiful voice but nothing stuck out beyond the opening track.
3.5. Very smooth and engaging in the moment, I thought it was going to end up being 4 stars, but it hasn't really stuck with me into the next day. I'd listen to it again though, and definitely see what people like about it.
Chillige Background-Bumsmusik
Solido
6.5/10 - Not a genre or style that I have a lot of experience in. A fine album but not one I would revisit often.
It's easy listening and there are some great songs here, but it's not anything that blew me away. 7/10
Dated 80s jazz based soft rock. Smooth Operator still sounds good. The rest works as background music, but is boring if you are actually concentrating on it.
Hot take but kinda whatever
It’s definitely smooth.
Yea idk I dont really have any strong opinions on this one. It's not bad, its just not really my thing. I liked Smooth Operator tho, 6.5/10
in breve: bello ma monotono
This was a nice album. I had heard Smooth Operator. The longer this album went on the more I liked. It may be one that I come back to as I expect it is better on a relisten
Definitely didn't realise a few of these songs were Sade. Liked it - definitely smooth and funky, but still a product of the 80s which I'm yet to be converted to. Can see the vibe, but not totally feeling it.
Great vibe and voice
3.5
There is so much about this album I can admire. She's got an incredible voice. The musicianship of this album is impeccable. I can truly see how this can move people. But it only moves me so far. I don't totally know if I can 💯 pinpoint why. But my only two real critical notes are the keys (and somewhat the production as a whole) has a that mid 80s glossy sterile feel. Sometime the playing overcomes the production, but there is an overall lack of grit to the sound. The second is this album picks a lane right at the beginning of the album and stays in it for 45 min. Still, I have an admiration of this album. It be wasn't until this fouth track that I really started to get restless listening to this. And quite frankly the closer "Why Can't We Live Together" has a kind of dirty instrumental vibe for the first half, even if the lyrics from the second half came from the 60s hippy dippy playbook). It at least made me take note where the rest of the album blended into each other I've often been torn about where to place this in a ranking because I think I have total admiration to the style, but for some reason I have always felt disengaged from the actual product 7.4 ★★★½
Nice playing, but very much bachgroune music. 3.5 stars
Helt okej, kul med Smooth Operator, antar att detta är originalet men visste inte att de var en kvinna.
Starts off really strong - Smooth Operator and Your Love is King are certifiable bops, but the rest of the album feels underdeveloped.
She’s got a great, soulful voice. A groovin’ band behind her. I mildly enjoyed Smooth Operator, but the rest of the album is a surprising delight. It takes some real musicianship to keep it funky in such a laid back platform.
Если это и попса, то попса здорового человека. Не скажу, что понравилось, но для фоновой музыки пойдёт.
Ja ok kult ikkr hørt så mye på pop soul men veldig frisørsalong typ greier jeg likte det var funky rolig beroligende kunne sovnet til noe av dette veldig smooth musikk jes men sånn samtidig ikke noe veldig spesiellt liksom litt søvnig litt treigt ofc det er ikke noe galt med det bare ikke helt min greie men jes greit nok album 3/5
This is a really good background album. Good vibes all the way through. Instrumental is top notch.
In some ways Sade was a direct influence on Red hot chili peppers (horniness)
It's a classic, three back-to-back hits. But the album becomes background music for me in the second half. But still beautiful music.
Nice chill album for a smokey cigarette filled bar in the 80s. 5.5/10
Smooth Operator the BANGER that you are. Γενικά όλο το άλμπουμ σε αυτό το vibe συνεχίζει και είναι εξαιρετικό. Βγάζει γενικά έναν ερωτισμό και groovy vibes ιδανικά για dinner parties (τρομάρα μου)
Love the vocals, like the overall funk, great sax, some nice piano. Pretty decent album. Highlights: "Smooth Operator" - obvious classic for a reason. "Cherry Pie" - involuntary-head-bob song.
Decent album, nothing crazy but decent
Lovely
3.5
Listening Notes Band sounds great and Sade's voice is the main attraction here Some good jams on here but not a ton going on at the same time? Really solid debut Standout Tracks "Smooth Operator", "Hang On to Your Love", "When Am I Going to Make a Living" First time? Yes Will it go into your rotation? Probably not
Leuke achtergrond muziek maar te eentoning om de echt naar te luisteren luisteren. 3/5
Sade has a beautiful voice. Nothing too crazy here though.
Very chill vibe, love smooth operator of course. The rest of the album wasn’t bad at all and was easy to listen to. Did not enjoy the last 3 songs nearly as much as the rest.
Gostosinho e sensual Porém não me pegou muito
Nice
what a VOICEEEEE. I want to play this at a schmooozy dinner party where everyone is dressed up and drinking wine. favourite songs - smooth operator (obvs), cherry pie
It’s really good but not my vibe. Didn’t wanna keep listening
Smooth
I liked it more than I thought I would going into listening to it. Lots of sax.
Chill 80s music, a couple of known songs, I listen to this album while doing my monthly recap and it was a good vibe for the tasks. It had some song that I wanted to skip, but it was entertaining
My rating 3.3
If you’ve heard one Sade album, you’ve heard them all. She’s like Bjork. Never straying from her typical sound. This is mid in any category she’s supposed to be in. I will say, I like how hard the drums hit. Great production move. Choice cut: Smooth Operator
I completely understand why this is on the list cause it’s very good but it doesn’t immediately speak to me. BUT Sally is an incredible song and I keep randomly singing sallyyyyyyyy around the house.
I love Sade! Just not what I thought it’d be
Instrumentals are unique and calming. Harmonies are nice. Not my type of music. Sally was my favorite song.
15/20 Album difficile a juger A la fois, il est très agréable a écouter, plusieurs musique qui restent dans la tête (dont Smooth Operator évidemment) et un goût de reviens y (j'ai probablement écouter l'album au moins 4 à 5 fois en deux jours). A la fois, je l'ai trouvé un peu plan. Je n'ai pas réussi a accrocher pleinement a l'album, ni a distinguer les musiques entre elles. Musicalement, il manque quelques chose. Ça reste une belle découverte.
I enjoyed this album. A chill and soulful listen. This is an 80s sound that feels ahead of its time. I did feel like a lot of the songs felt samey, but they all sound great, so I wasn’t too fussed. Would give 3.5 if I could.
By the time I got to 'Frankie's First Affair' I couldn't believe there was another sax solo. Some undeniable classics here, all round great album but the opening four tracks just need some variation for me. 3.5
Smooth, but forgettable
The bass in pretty much every song was amazing. Pretty decent album, overall.
Smoooooooooth operatooooooor This is chill
not bad
She has a great lounge bar voice. Unfortunately only a few songs stand out. Overall a bit forgetable.
Somehow this just barely threads the needs to achieve classic status--instead of floundering into an 80s sore-thumb of synth vibes.
Never much enjoyed Sade, but everyone else’s admiration surely indicates a blind spot on my part.
𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 is smooth, elegant and effortlessly stylish, with Sade’s voice gliding over polished arrangements of soft jazz, soul and pop. The atmosphere is warm and refined, but also very controlled — the kind of sophistication that can drift into sameness when the mood doesn’t shift much. The songwriting is pleasant rather than gripping, and the album relies more on texture and vibe than on standout moments. It’s classy and easy to enjoy, but its calm surface sometimes works against deeper impact.
Rock jazz, synth pop Smooth operator Hang on to your love Cherry pie
Easy listening..better than I expected.
SMOOOOTH OPERAAATAAAAAAAAAH Nicely recorded, not my normal style of music but I can appreciate it.
Sade is one of those many artists of which I am happy to listen to if a single is played on the radio but don’t really want to explore further. This is a nice blend of pop/soul but it didn’t really enthuse me.
A great voice and about the smoothest sound you can imagine. Pretty soon, all the songs start sounding pretty much exactly alike, though.
Kinda liked this one. Smooth Operator is a banger
Perfectly smooth
Nice.
Sade is a vibe. Smooth Operator to kick off the album? Mmm yes lets goooo. Off to a good start, let's see how the rest goes. I've learned to have a bit more respect for some 80s tunes lately, so I'm becoming more of a fan. Some of it is pretty mid. I still just find a lot of 80s music to be pretty meh, but it wasn't painful to have on in the background while I worked. Didn't kill me. I find it surprising Your Love is King has substantially more plays than Smooth Operator or any other song on the the album on Spotify... It's a pretty damn mid song, especially compared to Smooth Operator. I find there are very few gems that come out of 80s music. The way people made music can be so easily so cheesy, but when done right it can be reallllly good and timeless and just unlike any other era of music (Look at Michael Jackson) but unfortunately so much of 80s tunes just aren't great.
Smooth & classic; soaked in vintage ‘80s style & tones.
Like it
Listened to it while falling asleep
Timeless classic, foundational for soul and r&b. Smooth Operator is such a strong opening. Gets a bit redundant towards the end.
didn’t totally listen but love smooth operator, and i’ll defo listen to more of Sade’s stuff, i like her voice.
fine
Smooth but unforgettable.
3.4
Quite mellow for my taste, but great vocals and sax.
Slow and sexy
Sade is living right. Make an album, go on tour, make a bunch of money, chill out for a decade or so, come back with another album, make more money, go back to your cottage in England and live a happy life, rinse, repeat. The fact that people always show out for the new albums and tours in enviable numbers means she's doing something right. I'm not the best person to judge what she's doing right as whatever this kind of music is (Wikipedia lists the genres as "smooth soul," "sophisti-pop," "quiet storm" and "smooth jazz," and I can only say the last one is wrong, because this isn't any kind of jazz) really isn't my bailiwick, although I certainly don't mind having it on. It's pleasant and polished, and the music production side of me approves. Even though the album is forty years old, it doesn't feel like it needs a remaster. It's not very exciting (to me), but if I were in the mood to just listen to something to chill out, you could do far worse.
Not really my bag, but appreciate it's beautifully made.
Too easy for my listening
It's probably a bit "smooth" for my liking, good background music.
A few real gems here surrounded by 80s waiting room (yes I was there)
Day 122 My penis has a Pavlovian response to this album, probably shouldn’t have listened whilst I was out shopping. Anyone have the number for a good lawyer? Highlights Smooth Operator Cherry Pie
Nuthin' but sax and sex on this LP, baby. Sade can hang. 80s as hell, but this time it works for me. Maybe I can rock with pop when you stir some R&B in there too.
Love some of Sade’s songs and others not my cup of tea.
Smooth operator may be overplayed, but it's a strong track. The rest of the album is fine. Standard 80s love anthems/R&B. The jazz influence elevates it, but the grade stays a 3.
80s soul debut. Sophisti-pop, very unique voice and characteristic style. Smooth and sexy. Bonking music. Genre is kind of boring to me.
It's a bit cheesy but there's some solid groove in there and even if something feels slightly passé about it, there's loads for the listener here, worth a shot certainly but don't know if I'll ever get back to it (except for Hang On to Your Love maybe).
Better than I expected!
Is it for me? No. Can I appreciate what it is? Yeah, I guess.
No sound is more redolent of peak 1980s for me than the sound of Sade singing Smooth Operator. Everything about it, The sound, the theme, the attitude, it bleeds that celebration of excess for which the decade is partly known. The other big singles, Your Love Is King and Hang On To Your Love both have quite an old school soul feel. The rest of the album shows a decent versatility in songwriting and there’s a great sonic consistency, credit in part to the production, which is certainly glossy but then that suits the songs and the mood, the late night smoky bar vibe. I’ve a fondness for the last two tracks, I Will Be Your Friend and the unexpected anti war themed Why Can’t We Live Together, for the unexpected thematic departure from the rest of the album, though I’m not quite sure they are quite competent enough as songwriter to sustain deeper themes. A confident debut, which turns out on re listening to be more than a period piece - just.
Great
I love how pure and passionate Sade is. I feel like this album is one that bears repeat listening because it would definitely grow on me. Favorite songs: I Will Be Your Friend, Why Can’t We Live Together, Smooth Operator.
Standouts: Frankie's First Affair? Sally Pre thoughts oh god... (negative). I'm really trying to go into this with an open mind The first few songs are repetitive. Sade's voice is quite nice but didn't really do much different throughout the course of the album. I didn't hate listening to it but I found the whole experience a bit boring. Was considering a 2 at the start but I might be nice and give it a 3
The sound didn't age that much and the jazzy vibes are easy to listent to. Groundbreaking? Don't think so.
This album is pure 80s, but somehow one of the rare ones that actually aged well. The occasional synth pads still stick out, but the rest is so warm and organic that it never feels cold or overprocessed. And that voice… instantly recognizable, one of those singers you can identify before the first line even settles. I’m not a huge fan of where her later discography drifted, slowly turning into something a bit too bland for me, but this record is just nice. I don’t listen to it all the time, yet every time I do, it lands just right. And honestly, it’s one I know I’ll keep coming back to. And I was in love with her when I was a child.
Warm jazz R&B poppy. Easy Saturday morning listening. Jasmine says melancholy airport background music.
A bit smooth for me but otherwise good
Could really do without the sax but I love the sound of this record. Super warm. Heard Sade being played a fair bit recently due to a co-worker that’s a big fan and I understand why her records are considered classics. They really set the template for modern smooth soul. I used to find that cheesy but think I would now say I’m a fan.
3.5
Lounge tracks for 80s shaggers
Sade does sensual jazz and r&b better than anyone.
File under: Music to undress to
smooth operator- 6 your love is king- 6 hang on to your love- 5 or 6 frankies first affair- 5 when am i going to make a living- 5 or 6 cherry pie- 7 sally- 5 i will be your friend- 5 why cant we live together- 5 or 6
Very 80s soft pop album with a jazzy twist. Decent overall, but Carlos Sainz is better at singing Smooth Operator
Perfect music for a Friday night cocktail party if people have those anymore. It’s a bit too sedating for me but nice.
Unique at the time, she didn't sound like anyone else and that still ring true today. Definitely an album that stands up well and has had good longevity. The listen counts are off the charts, which speaks to popularity and staying power. You can hear "Smooth Operator" (758M listens), "Your Love Is King" (272M) or "Hang On To Your Love" (120M) any day of week on popular radio. The vibe across the album is steady, without a lot of change in beat or pace. You can't argue with the numbers - her greatest hits album is one of the most impressive I've seen and I'm 300+ albums in to the Top 1001. The weakest track has 25M listens, not many artists can say that. Top 1001? Not sure. She definitely created a sound of her own, the popularity is there, the longevity is there, the sax is there, the hits are there, so yeah. I'd give it 3+ stars.
I remember in the 90s when Sade was big in the US, everyone was just wondering how to pronounce her name. I did not expect all the funky, amazing bass lines that is prevalent throughout the album. I'm more impressed by the silky smooth, funky, jazzy music throughout then the songwriting but the lyrics are pretty good. I liked Cherry Pie & Hang on to Your Love especially. Some of the songs start out with the same with sax. I wasn't that impressed with Smooth Operator but I think it may be a cover. This is incredibly close to 4 but I'm going with a 3.8 This is my 100th album, which somehow landed on my sister's birthday.
Smooth Operator oli ainoa tuttu biisi. Aikas easy listening ja sunnuntai aamun musiikkia. Rentoa ja rauhallista.
Highlights: When Am I Going To Make A Living, Smooth Operator, Cherry Pie. In a nutshell: sleek, sophisticated jazz I think we have Sade to thank/blame for 90s and millennial neo-soul. Two of the four singles- Smooth Operator and Hang Onto Your Love- are key examples. Also, I'd be miffed at Ed if he threw my copy of Diamond Life at zombies. Good call for chucking the Batman soundtrack though. Overall: 5/10
Cool, sexy, beautifully sung and competently played. I will say that this much sax is not my usual thing. I'll give this a middling rating because it falls into that tragic category of things done very well that I just don't care much about, just like elite handball or tennis or top quality fermented yak milk. 3/5