Sade’s Still Groovin’

Do you remember the first time you heard Sade? It might have been the track “Ordinary Love” or one of her earlier hits “Sweetest Taboo.” From that day on you were hooked on her vibe. Co-produced and co-written by Sade Adu the album “Soldier of Love” is filled with the signature sound and themes of love, sensuality and strongly-felt emotions that you fell in love with.

From the first throngs of “The Moon and the Sky” you know you are in for a special treat. Its heartfelt lyrics (“I was the one/I who could pull in all the stars above Lay them on your feet/and I gave you my love”) are echoed in every song on the album. You will be hard-pressed to find a favorite as it’s a selection of music rich with a variety of melodies that will stimulate your senses. However, there are a few songs that are standouts.

The title track of the album is currently on several charts including reaching number one on Billboards’ pop and R&B. While it is a strong representation of the album the songs “Babyfather,” “Bring Me Home” and “The Safest Place” reveal why some artists can get away with not producing an album of original music for ten years.

“Babyfather” has a reggae tone that is complemented with a combination of words that only make sense when sung by Sade. This boy meets girl storyline starts off as any ordinary song would: “We were waiting for the bus/No one much around but us.” Then as that reggae beat becomes insistent with its heart/drum-like rhythm it goes to a place that speaks of wanting to be something better – all for the love of a woman. The song is thought provoking as you begin to play with the notion in which Sade is singing about. Each time you listen to “Babyfather” you’ll begin to wonder, who are these people, where did they meet and under what circumstances could make two people live their whole lives in what seems like an instant?

Further on there is “Bring Me Home” where its low-key melody of a repeated drum beat and background vocalists emphasize the tension within the lyrics. “Put me on a plane with metal on fire/Send me out to sea” are only a taste of this mourning song of resentment for what is lost. Depending on what is occurring in your life these words will resonate without being intrusive to your personal space. Yet, the song will haunt you at the same time.

When you arrive to “The Safest Place” you will feel as if the journey is nearly over. It’s a slow, languishing rhythm that once again only Sade could pull off. Together the musical arrangements and words combine to create a mood that you will want to experience several times over.

Sade’s songs are the type where you find yourself putting the pieces of a narrative puzzle together. The songs all have to do with love in some form, this time the spin is on militant, downtrodden and warrior love. The people who Sade sings about need a respite from their lives and they find that in all forms of love. In this case they fight for it. At the same time it’s the sort of music that cleanses and renews your spirit. You feel as if you are a better person who is more in tune with the universe. And all you have to do is listen.