“Diamond Life” With The Unique Sade Adu. From her first album, “Diamond Life,” Sade Adu proved she’s in a league of her own. The music scene is majorly eclectic in the early 80s. Among the names that jump out is that of Sade Adu. As with many other artists, I discovered her through a music video. And I was captivated.
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Sade Adu’s voice, and music had a sophistication of one who’s been in music for years. But I was surprised to learn that the music I was listening to then, in 1984, was actually her first album. With such a maturity, I knew she was going to go far. That she did. But even as she gained successes worldwide, she held back on her releases. And this makes her music all the more endearing.
A Quick Introduction to Sade
Helen Folsade Adu is born in England, the younger among two children. At a young age, her English mother moves to Nigeria with Sade’s father. They part ways a few years later and Sade, with her brother, accompanies her mother back to the UK.
Sade completes her education in England, and goes to school for fashion design. It is but natural that while following this career, Sade is also be involved in modelling. But we are fortunate, that she also has interest in music. She joins a band named “Pride” as a backup singer. This blossoms further as she dabbles in song writing, leading to the beginnings of Sade Adu the pop artist. Her big hit is “Smooth Operator.” The popularity of this song and their self confidence, prompts Sade and guitarist Stuart Matthewman to form their own band. This band is “Sade.”
Sade’s Popularity Takes Off
Sade Adu and Matthewman are joined by keyboardist Andrew Hale, bassist Paul Denman and drummer Paul Cook. From here, there’s no looking back.
The recording industry notice Sade’s talent, and by 1984 they formally sign up and start work on their first album, Diamond Life. Diamond Life is completed and released by mid-1984. The album introduces Sade to the world, while becoming a runaway hit. It includes Sade’s first hits including “Smooth Operator,” “Your Love is King,” and “Hang on to Your Love.” To make such an impact during a period of a dazzling array of eclectic music in the 80s speaks volumes of Sade’s potential. This album is also the first time I heard her, and was also taken in by her music.
Sade’s Further Successes
The dust hardly settles from the success of the first album, that Sade releases another one. “Promise,” released in 1985, too peaks both sides of the Atlantic, selling millions of copies. Sade Adu becomes synonymous with a very stylish form of Jazz, which would influence a number of other upcoming artists.
Sade wins the Grammy for the Best New Artist in 1986. She also gets a brief part in the critically acclaimed David Bowie musical movie “Absolute Beginners” in 1986.
Further successes follow for Sade with her third, and fourth albums: “Stronger than Pride” (1988), and “Love Deluxe” in 1992. They sell millions of copies throughout the world. Strangely, this is Sade’s last studio album for almost a decade. There was the release of a compilation of hits entitled “The Best of Sade” 1994. This is where I lost track of Sade Adu.
Some of Sade’s Memorable Hits
Its no use talking about someone’s music until you enjoy a sampling of the music that define their success. So let’s check out some of my favorite hits from Sade Adu.
“Hang On to Your Love” (1984)
Taken from their first album, Diamond Life, this was my introduction to Sade Adu’s music, and is the one that defines her for me. Listening to her haunting refrains, with that gentle understated beat should tell you why it’s so appealing.
YouTube / Sade
“Smooth Operator” (1984)
This is also one of my favorites from this first Sade album. Very interestingly made video that seems to match the song so well with its theme of subterfuge, and “cloak and dagger stuff.”
YouTube / Sade
“Sweetest Taboo” (1985)
From the second Sade album, Promise, came this beautiful piece. Sade Adu seems to pick up right where she left off from her last album. The sophistication is well established by now. Their music videos were staple among the easy listening genre on MTV.
YouTube / Sade
“Is it a Crime” (1985)
Another amazingly produced number from her Promise album. This time the horns are in full play adding to jazzy influence.
YouTube / Sade
“Paradise” (1988)
The third, Stronger Than Pride, album brought us this slightly up-tempo number. Check out the cool bass going on in the background. Wonderful stuff from Sade Adu, well backed up by the band of course.
YouTube / Sade
“No Ordinary Love” (1992)
By now, Sade Adu had carved out her niche, and what seems almost a new sophisticated jazz genre of music. Other artists seem to emulate her style. To me, Sade stood above the rest as the original. This number comes off her fourth album Love Deluxe. Again, a classic.
YouTube / Sade
Okay, I’m getting carried away. I could listen to Sade for much longer, but I’m sure you get why I consider her so gifted. Kudos also go to Stuart Matthewman and Sade, the band – the former for co-writing most of the lyrics.
Sade’s Return in the 2000s and Privacy
After 1994, Sade Adu did not release new material until almost decade later. That’s a pattern she’s followed. She leads a self-imposed private life in England. Not that she was very open during her early years either. Both these factors add mystique and an extra allure to her. As a result, there are many who are still surprised to discover her musical sophistication.
One thing’s certain: Sade Adu created a new genre of stylish jazz, and dance music that set a new trend for other artists to follow. While her “old” music is timeless, releasing a new album ever few years ensures we still get new stuff from her.
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