Sade-Diamond Life

It's hard to believe that it was twenty years ago that this came out. Narrowly avoiding being ignored as merely another entry in the 'New Mod Craze' that lasted a few months and included Nine Below Zero, The Style Council, Elvis Costello's "Punch the Clock" and both the KinKs records that year. Luckily her 'could freeze coffee' voice, her retro-yet future sounding self- named band, and stellar songwriting elevated her from that pack. "Hang on to your Love", "Your Love is King", and the title track are now all pieces of the global musical lexicon, and the whole album is an undisputed classic.

I remember first seeing Sade at LiveAid in 1985 via Satellite from Wembley Stadium. Her striking features and red lips seeming to speak directly to my 15 year old heart that "I was still her brother", then as the camera panned around to reveal that that white turtleneck had no back, well that day Sade moved into a special place in my heart.

I purchased Diamond Life the next week on cassette and it opened doors for me. Soon I was seeking out chantueses of all eras and styles: Edith Piaf, Marianne Faithful, Josephine Baker, Pat Suzuki, I was all over the map. But, I was learning about the sensual power of the female voice and its delivery, lessons that haunt me and challenge me to this day

Sade's sound evolved nicely, bouncing between American, British, African, Latin and Island rhythms throughout her career she has always remained original and genuine.

Sade is Sade and that's beautiful

Does anyone else think Elvis Costello would be a perfect candidate to cover "When Am I Going to Make a Living?"
Sade