Sade’s compilation, The Best of Sade, perfectly showcases the mastery of the British band, which debuted 10 years earlier in 1984 with Diamond Life. The album marked the beginning of an active career spanning almost 20 years, garnering multi-platinum status on each of Sade’s six studio albums.
The jazz/soul band is commonly mistaken for a solo act, partially due to its lead singer of the same name, and easily so. Her velvety alto voice creates a perfect match for the heavily percussive arrangements that accompany her, and a jazz influence is unmistakably present throughout the Best of’s snapshot of the first decade of Sade’s career.
The album includes the band’s most successful two singles, “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo” of 1984 and ’85, which were in striking contrast to the big-hair, electric guitar popularity of the day.
“Jezebel,” “Like a Tattoo,” “Please Send Me Someone to Love” and “Pearls” are the only additions to the 12 successful soul singles in Sade’s repertoire on The Best of Sade.
“Like a Tattoo” from 1992’s Love Deluxe is especially stunning and personal. The remainder of the album follows suit in a hard lean toward easy listening rather than the commercial bravado typical of the 80s. Lead singer Helen Folasade Adu’s voice is spectacularly entertaining on its own.
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