Diamond Life
by Sade

From ilovelctr 08/03/2011 01:28 | #25586 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

This is Sade's best album. It's also probably one of the best R&B albums ever produced. Sade's always been a great vocal expert, but this record is where her vocals are shown at the best angle.

A significant album in the history of music that is an extremely smooth and relaxing listen. The whole record comes together very nicely with each song matching in tone, style and environment. The music still sounds fresh to this day as well and has aged beautifully. This is really helped by the excellent instrumentation on the record. This peaks with the performance on the saxophone which adds an edge to every song it is on and really makes the sound stand out as truly unique. Some of the solos from the sax are just phenomenal as well with one of the best coming on Sally making a weaker track still possess a large amount of quality. Sade's voice dominates this album in my opinion though with it sounding so effortlessly smooth and so easy to get lost in. She uses her voice magnificently and builds upon an already enchanting environment. What holds this album back for me is the filler present on the album. A few songs are weaker instrumentally and they don't have the same hook effect as the bigger tracks. The record does feel unnecessarily elongated as well with certain songs feeling stretched thin and like they could have ended quite a bit earlier. Overall, an album full of talent which is very important in musical history and is worth a listen for its smooth and relaxing environment it creates for you.

A classic r'n'b record. Super smooth and slick, it's got some really good songs on it with the absolutely brilliant Smooth operator easily the best track. Your love is king and Sally are also quality cuts.

A voice like honey. Very sexy music but also good listening on your own.

An influential R&B classic, Sade burst onto the scene with this sleek debut, mixing glossy 80s production with soulful songwriting. Songwriting duo Sade Adu and Stuart Matthewman (singer and guitarist/saxophonist for the band, respectively) offer everything from smooth jazz-inflected pop ('Your Love is King', 'Frankie's First Affair', 'Sally') to funk ('Cherry Pie', 'Hang On To Your Love', 'Why Can't We Live Together'). Every track feels like a classic or near it. Breakout single 'Smooth Operator' is often considered their signature song, and for good reason. This record is ripe with bright keyboards, colorful saxophone solos, and slinky (but FAT) basslines.

Essential tracks: Smooth Operator, Your Love Is King, Hang On To Your Love, When Am I Going to Make a Living

Underrated gems: Frankie's First Affair, Cherry Pie