Sade’s rise to the zenith of smooth jazz started humbly enough in the early 80’s. Following a university career that saw her study fashion design and a brief stint as a model, Sade Adu was recruited to become a backup singer for the British band Pride. After establishing a songwriting partnership with guitarist/saxophonist Stewart Matthewman, Sade began opening Pride shows with short sets that focused on her original songs. One of those songs, her iconic “Smooth Operator”, caught the attention of a few record execs who attended a show in Britain (where Sade had lived since the age of four). And the rest is history, with Sade going on to become one of the most iconic jazz singers of all-time.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what has made Sade such an enduring force in music despite her relatively limited output as an artist (she’s recorded six studio albums in her forty year career). It’s of course found in her voice, sultry and sensual and pure and personable all at the same time, as well as her musical arrangement choices– the prominent bass, delicate piano lines, and Latin-influenced rhythm section are all hallmarks of Sade’s sound and defining factors. But the thing that has always struck me about Sade is how unpretentious her musical choices and lyrical themes all feel. There’s a real sense of striking sophistication found in her music, whether it be the musings of lusting over a romantic partner you know will break your heart (“Smooth Operator”), the euphoric nature of love making (“Your Love Is King”), a letter to a friend who is having an extramarital affair (“Frankie’s First Affair”), all the way down to the societal benefits that the Salvation Army provides the poor (yes, really, that’s what “Sally” is about). Sade covers all these subjects without them feeling cheap or gimmicky, which is quite a remarkable achievement when you also consider the fact she’s using smooth jazz as her vehicle.
Net-net: Sade is a legend, a surefire must-listen, and Diamond Life is the album that started it all which makes it even more fun to listen to. This is one of those albums that shouldn’t be missed.
Standout Songs: “Smooth Operator”, “Your Love Is King”, “Hang On To Your Love”, “When Am I Going To Make A Living”, “Sally”
