Band of the Day (02.12.10): SADE

Who?

Formed in 1983, many people confuse Sade to be solely Nigerian-born singer Sade Adu, but the R&B legends are actually a full-fledged UK band. First rising to prominence with the monster hit “Smooth Operator,” Sade have released some of their genre’s best songs and albums, though their output has been sporadic over the last twenty years, releasing only three. The most recent, Soldier of Love, came out this week, their first in ten years.

And I Care Because?

- It’s a different strain of R&B. In an era where extroverted, kitchen-sink R&B is dominating the airwaves, it’s a good thing that Sade came back to remind listeners of the other half, the sorrowful, warm, scaled-back R&B that projects just as much emotion, if not more.

- She’s still one smooth operator. Adu’s voice is something of a secret weapon: you might not go gaga over it at first, but it sure will put you in a lull. It’s comforting, stunning, and, ahem, smooth in a way that few can imitate, and it’s one of the main things that make Sade such a draw in the first place.

- Be thankful while they’re here. Let’s repeat it: this is Sade’s first album in a decade, and there was an eight year wait for the one that came before it. It’s not laziness, though, just consistency… each one of their records has so much thought and care put into it that it’s always going to be something special, yet another collection that makes the case that the album isn’t dead.

Stream Soldier of Love below, buy their albums, and watch the video for the title track.

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