... Much maligned as "cocktail bar" music, she recorded Diamond Life in late 1983 ready for assault on the burgeoning "yuppie" scene of the 80's. Needless to say the Filofax and brick-like "mobile" phone brigade bought it in their droves. So did the soul boys and girls up and down the country ... Read review
It could have been that Sade (collectively, the vocalist Sade Adu and her band) would have ... more
remained the darlings solely of the British underground rare-groove scene, but the sound ofDiamond Lifeproved irresistible to the mainstream, and the rest is his...
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It could have been that Sade (collectively, the vocalist Sade Adu and her band) would have ... more
remained the darlings solely of the British underground rare-groove scene, but the sound of Diamond Life proved irresistible to the mainstream, and the rest is h...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
It could have been that Sade (collectively, the vocalist Sade Adu and her band) would ... more
have remained the darlings solely of the British underground rare- groove scene, but their sound proved irresistible to the mainstream, and the rest is history. C...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Smooth and mellow Disadvantages: A very samey kind of smooth and mellow
..."cocktail bar" music, she recorded Diamond Life in late 1983 ready for assault on the burgeoning "yuppie" scene of the 80's. Needless to say the Filofax and brick-like "mobile" phone brigade bought it in their droves. So did the soul boys and girls up and down the country as a soundtrack for a little bit of white-towelling socked late night loving! Go Darren and Tracey!
WHAT'S THE TRACKLISTING? ...third of the way through Diamond Life, that you realise that Sade is not going to exert herself vocally, there's going to be no lung-busting here. If you're looking for 80s soul's answer to Courtney Love or Jocelyn Brown - forget it. The vocals are creamy, smooth and whispered. This song displays a nice line in slinky piano grooviness about four minutes in. Which is nice.
Mark: 3/5
4. When Am I Gonna Make A Living (3:32) more
WHO'S THIS THEN? Looking at the dates of birth on many of my email alerts and COT's I'm finding a startling amount of Ciaosters born after 1984, the year of this seminal album's release. Sade Adu was/is an Anglo-Nigerian singer and owner of a silken voice. The album is a Marmite case: you either love it or hate it. Much maligned as "cocktail bar" music, she recorded Diamond Life in late 1983 ready for assault on the burgeoning "yuppie" scene of the 80's. Needless to say the Filofax and brick-like "mobile" phone brigade bought it in their droves. So did the soul boys and girls up and down the country as a soundtrack for a little bit of white-towelling socked late night loving! Go Darren and Tracey!
WHAT'S THE TRACKLISTING? 1. Smooth Operator 2. Your Love Is King 3. Hang On To Your Love 4. When Am I Gonna Make A Living 5. Frankie's First Affair 6. Cherry Pie 7. Sally 8. I Will Be Your Friend 9. Why Can't We Live Together
ARE THE SONGS ANY GOOD? Well let's see, shall we? Here come the track descriptions:
1. Smooth Operator (4:18) You'll know whether the album is for you before 10 seconds have elapsed. A pretty bossa nova rhythm played out on the handrums as a seductive bass coaxes the meandering saxophone in starts the track/album and it's all very nice. If you like music that kicks up the batty or stors an emotion in some way, then look away now! Sade's voices comes in as the perfect foil for the nonchalant beats and sax. "No need to ask" she whispers, "he's a smooth operator". A song about "playas" (hip hop terminology for a person with more than one partner) before they were invented. This is very jazzy in an accessible and good way. Relased as a single. Mark: 5/5
2. Your Love Is King (3:43) The track that thrust Sade into the limelight. A real fairytale story, this, because it was her first single and it went into the top ten in the summer of 1984. Back in the 80's, overnight sensations were virtually unheard of, and those that did appear out of nowhere generally disappeared pretty sharpish too. A great love song with more dreamy sax and chilled hand thumped percussion. "I'm coming up" she cries after chorus. Whatever can she mean? Released as a single. Mark: 4/5
3. Hang On To Your Love (6:01) Until now, all modern jazz elements have been used: the cool vocals, the metronomic basslines and the sax. Now the understated picked jazz guitar surfaces on this track. It's at this point a third of the way through Diamond Life, that you realise that Sade is not going to exert herself vocally, there's going to be no lung-busting here. If you're looking for 80s soul's answer to Courtney Love or Jocelyn Brown - forget it. The vocals are creamy, smooth and whispered. This song displays a nice line in slinky piano grooviness about four minutes in. Which is nice. Mark: 3/5
4. When Am I Gonna Make A Living (3:32) This is my favourite track because it's the nearest Sade gets to funking out. A lovely bass and piano riff ploughs through the intro before a hi-hat joins in the jazzy furore. Almost an anti-Yuppie anthem, "I hunger for a life I can't afford" she sings over an enthusiastic sax. MY, how the Yuppies must have spluttered into their Delboy-endorsed Pina Colada's over that one! Released as a single. Mark: 5/5
5. Frankie's First Affair (4:38) Similar in pace to Your Love Is King, but lacking it's class. To be honest once you've heard the bass, sax, tinkling piano and bongos on Diamond Life, you've really heard all it's got to offer, I'm afraid. A brave attempt at consistent songwriting but very much of it's time and therefore fails to stand up to scrutiny in 2004. Totally forgettable and the weakest track here. Mark: 2/5
6. Cherry Pie (6:20) "Sweet as cherry pie", Sade sings over this by-now familiar rhythm. It's the nearest we get to a bit of emotion from that husky and hushed voice and if the producer had just turned the beat and "wah-wah" guitar down a bit, and let the vocals surface, it could have been a more intriguing track. As it is her cocktail bar backing band are the real stars on this track. At 6:20, it's too long too! Mark: 3/5
7. Sally (5:22) The first sign of a bit of adventure on album's that's now two-thirds of the way through. The beat - when it appears - is staccatoed and unpredictable and most of the time it's just Sade, a bass and a meandering piano with a side order of very subtle percussion. This beatless approach would work well on a shorter track, but at an ill-advised 5:22, it's pillows at the ready! (Hence the title of my review). Mark: 3/5
8. I Will Be Your Friend (4:44) Virtually the twin sister of Smooth Operator but the only difference being the difference in lyrics. Same pace, sam mood, instruments, sax intro, everything! The lyrics, as on the rest of the album, are not very inspiring. "I will be your friend until the end of time". Perhaps it's telling that Diamond Life was recorded 20 years ago, because the lyircs on this track and the album as a whole wouldn't really hold up these days. Mark: 3/5
9. Why Can't We Live Together? (5:30) Subtle, echoed bongos and a schmoove bass start this track up and after 60 seconds of this five and a half minute epic, the only newcomer is a punchy Hammond organ riff. AS we apporach the two minute I'm beginning to think this track has accidentally made it onto the album and is really an instrumental track made by one those hotel lobby entertainment duos usually called something like Fahrenheit or Reflections. But no! "Tell me why, tell me why" Sade cries in the most empassioned vocals yet seen on Diamond Life. The song is unintentionally moody and no drums really kick in at all and the track relies on the bongos and it's anti-war message. Quite good, actually. Mark: 4/5
SUMMARY Diamond Life has a smooth and classy sheen wiped across it. All the tracks are similar in tempo, feel, atmosphere and vocals and instrumentation. That's the idea, though. Look at her other albums and even her greatest hits collection (her style never changed over 18 years of recording). And that was the point. Diamond Life was never meant to change the world, just to evoke a feeling. Chillout before chillout was invented? OK, so perhaps the album can't be classed as chillout but it's still quiet, sulky, mellow, relaxing and subliminally uplifting all the same. And isn't that what chillout's all about? But whisper it - despite my assertion that this is a love it or hate it album I do find that if I'm not in the mood for it, Diamond Life is a BIT BORING!
OTHER SADE RELEASES Promise (1985) Includes the Glamma Kid cover Sweetest Taboo
Stronger Than Pride (1988) With a very fine song called Paradise
Love Deluxe (1992) More of the same but with a 90s slant.
Best Of Sade (1994) The only greatest hits album where all the songs sound the same?
Lover's Rock (2000) Her comeback album.
Lover's Live (2002) Her comeback album. Live.
LIKE THIS TRY THESE (OR VICE VERSA) Artist: Bebel GIlberto Album: Tanto Tempo Year: 2002 Why: Diamond Life in Portuguese
Artist: Swing Out Sister Album: It's Better To Travel Year: 1987 Why: For Blue Mood and After Hours. Both could have appeared on Diamond Life.
Artist: Amy Winehouse Album: Frank Year: 2003 Why: A British sensation with Sade-like jazz sensibilities.
Artist: Anita Baker Album: Rapture Year: 1986 Why: Smooth Sade-esque soul without the jazzy overtones.
Advantages: Relaxing, passionate tunes Disadvantages: A little too short
...stage with their debut release, Diamond Life.
-- Smooth operator –
A song that should hopefully not need many introductions. It was the group’s first major release and was also the one that gave them recognition in the States. It has quite a summery and sultry sound and is making a statement about a certain class of man, usually to be found in a lot of the venues that Sade performed in in the early days; the smooth loving, smooth living ... ...feet then left them high and dry. This one is still played on radio today and is definitely a classic tune. co-written by Sade and her guitarist/boyfriend of the time, It is a fine collaboration.
-- Your love is king –
A classy and laid back ballad that is also a song many of you will have come across. It’s quite a clever concept this one, that personifies love and gives it regal status: “Your love is king, crown you with my heart, ...
craiggy_boy 05.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Diamond Life - Sade
Advantages: Chill is set at maximum Disadvantages: You might chill out too much
Apparently, it's not fashionable to like Sade. Whenever this album has been seen in my collection, people usually raise an eyebrow. Dunno why. This was Sade's first album, and I happen to really like it. For those unfamiliar with her, she possess a deep, smokey voice that sounds as though it's one step up from Paul Robeson's (ask your Grandmother). The songs demonstrate her silky tones, and that she really can hit the occasional top note too. If ... ...been recorded in a basement jazz den, then this is yer boy! Very smoochy. Very sexy.
"Your Love Is King" and "Smooth Operator" were chart hits in the early 80's, and the slow jazzy style was in deep contrast to the other sounds of that decade. Most of the other tracks fall into the category of sexy blues/jazz, that wouldn't go amiss in any setting where seduction is anticipated. "Sweet as Cherry Pie" and "Why can't we live together" are about as ...
Salgirl 17.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Diamond Life - Sade
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
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Advantages: Sultry sexy music,easy listening and a great distinctive voice Disadvantages: only 9 tracks
Sade Adu was an artist that I always associate strongly with the eighties but the music was not eighties. Of Nigerian descent she and her band managed to fuse together American and Eurpean jazz grooves with African rhythms.With her sultry looks and distinctive cool exotic voice she burst on to the scene in 1985 with 'DiamondLife' , an album that perhaps she never managed to surpass.
'Smooth Operator' with its languid beat was perhaps a flag bearing single for the album.Lazy and Summery and with a great sax solo in the middle it parodies the eighties yuppie man with a great lyric 'his eyes are like angels but his heart is cold'.
'Your Love Is King' was another single and has a similarly laid back bass groove.Its a lazy song but with a great melody.The lyrics can be read in two ways but I firmly believe this song is as ...
Advantages: Stunning Vocals / Music with Very Emotional and Heartfelt Lyrics Disadvantages: Probably a bit too short
, and one I think will remain in most peoples collection for a long time. It reminds me of the the first time I heard the stunning " DiamondLife " by Sade in 1984, its THAT good, and that is some recommendation indeed, as that album went on to be one of the great debut albums ever released by a female artist.
I bought this at Tesco for the ridiculously low price of £8:79, so if you are out shopping soon, put it in your basket, you won't be let down....
Trust Me...
I'm Welsh.... ...
n13roy 08.03.2008 (10.12.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Rockferry - Duffy
Advantages: Hits the spot Disadvantages: None, if you're a fan.
Sade always seemed to me to be one of those performers who should have stopped at one (album, that is). DiamondLife was such a difficult act to follow, and later albums, didn't, to my way of thinking cut the mustard.
Sade has had to bear the brunt of various dubious titles - "The Best Backing Singer Ever To Make Her Own Album" etc.
This is not an opinion I endorse, and I am happy to say that, having bought Lover's Rock, more for old time's sake than anything, it seems that her earlier promise has been re-fulfilled.
It has the late-night smoothness of DiamondLife, it's just a pity it isn't her second album. ...
Minidisc available on Epic (39581). NOTES: Also available as a 3-pack with PROMISE and LOVE DELUXE. Sade: Sade Adu (vocals); Stuart Matthewman (guitar, saxophone); Andrew Hale (keyboards); Paul S. Denman (bass). Additional personnel: Terry Bailey, Gordon Matthewman (trumpet); Dave Early (drums, percussion); Paul Cooke (drums); Martin Ditcham (percussion). Digitally remastered by Tom Coyne (Sterling Sound, New York, New York). Sade crept up on the music market when they were least expecting it. The surprise hit 'Your Love Is King' was a very mature record for the singles market and one that opened the door to smooth soul-based pop. This album proved that she was no fluke and it became one of the most acclaimed debuts of all time. Sade rode out the publicity and coped with everything; for once the music did the talking. 'Smooth Operator' put her back in the pop charts but it was the overall class and confidence of the whole album that makes it so darn good. Her reading of Timmy Thomas's 'Why Can't We Live Together' is a highlight.
Album Reviews
Uncut (2/01, p.87) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...[The album] sounds as seductive as ever..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Smooth Operator
2.
Your Love Is King
3.
Hang On To Your Love
4.
When Am I Gonna Make A Living
5.
Frankie's First Affair
6.
Cherry Pie
7.
Sally
8.
I Will Be Your Friend
9.
Why Can't We Live Together
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17/03/2001
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