Search - Sade :: Love Deluxe

Sade Deluxe

rmcrae | Houston, Texas | 12/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sade is one of my favorite singers of all time. True, she doesn't have the widest range, but she uses what she's got to her advantage. Her velvety voice makes the sky transform into "the color of love" and tells the most beautiful stories. I grew up on her music and will never get tired of it.



Love Deluxe is an excellent title, not only because it's about love (duh), but because it explores all types of love. From love gone wrong (No Ordinary Love) to explosive, erotic love (Kiss of Life) to love for a child (Pearls).



No Ordinary Love kicks things off nicely with it's snaky bassline and ocean deep atmosphere. It's only fitting that Sade would play a mermaid in the debut single's music video. The song seems to take on a different meaning to different people. Some might call it a pure love song, but I hear regret and desperation in Sade's vocals. "I keep crying, I keep trying for you, there's nothing like you and I baby", she pleads. Obviously her lover wants to leave and while she understands that their relationship may not be considered the norm (mermaid problem, anyone?), she knows in her heart that it can work. My favorite part is the middle of the song where the band is just jamming and Sade wistfully sighs "and I'm falling". Beautiful.



Kiss of Life is pretty much neck and neck with No Ordinary Love and Cherish the Day. The music is jazzy and midtempo (reminds me of New Orleans for some reason), but Sade's voice remains soft and almost sounds like a lullaby on this jam about two lovers brought together by an angel. Excellent work from the band as always during the song's middle.



Cherish the Day sounds different in it's original form (I only heard the remix on her best of album and the radio), but it's still a winner. From the opening airy guitar strings to the closing notes, it has me spellbound. It sounds like it was made in the heavens, it's so magical and beautiful. "You're ruling the way that I move, and I breathe your air. You only can rescue me, this is my prayer" Is that love or what?



Bullet Proof Soul should have been a single. Leroy Osbourne, Sade's backup singer since 1988, really gets to shine on this "you can't hide from love" slow jam. When is he gonna release a solo album?



Pearls and Feel No Pain are the closest Sade has ever gotten to political songs (if you exclude Why Can't We Live Together which is a cover) and both are not preachy, but done right. The first tells the story of a woman in Somolia who struggles to survive with her young daughter. This is a song that will tear your heart to pieces once you take a look at the hunger and pain happening in the world. Feel No Pain tackles unemployment and the subsequent breakdown of a family. Heartbreaking with a beat.



The piano driven melody of I Couldn't Love You More oozes with unconditional love and has so much space. It totally hypnotizes me.



Like A Tattoo is based on a man's experience with war. The thing I love about Sade is that she's not particularly "wordy". She's able to get her point across in a straight forward way and paints a picture of pain and regret with this song.



The last track is the ethereal instrumental Mermaid. If mermaids existed, I bet this is what their underwater world would sound like. This entire album seems to be built on an underwater theme. Each track conjures up images of the ocean or the shore. Like taking a midnight walk on the beach. Peaceful, clear, and otherworldly.



My only gripe and a very small one is that the instrumental Room 55 was not included on the album. It's on the very rare and hard to find Kiss of Life cd single, but it has to be the sexiest and most erotic piece of music my ears have ever had the pleasure of hearing.



Anyway, there is not a bad track in the bunch and if you want to explore Sade's collection, start with this one. All of her albums are excellent, but this is the one you wanna cop if you plan on making whoopy or just relaxing by yourself."

Mellowing out

Bee2Bee | 02/11/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I read several reviewers commenting on how the album wasn't a "typical" SADE release. I feel that only added to it.



Not being one that needs the same ole same ole songs, this was a refreshing change. The music is exceptional.. including the solo instrumental. A perfect album for a Sunday morning breakfast in bed."

Good job

Ronalda Schweit | 01/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Heard this played and knew I had to get it for myself and haven't been disappointed. Been paying it over and over. Sada is someone you don't get tired of listening to."