The Best of Sade [Epic]

• Artist: Sade
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1994
• Total Time: 73:50
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

By the time this was released in 1994, something unexpected happened. Sade's early work became classic and the later additions boasted even better vocals and songs that nicely improved on the theme. The timeless sound and class always exhibited makes Sade Adu and her band a no-brainer for an appealing compilation. Like Al Green's Greatest Hits, The Best of Sade doesn't detract from the original albums and is a marker of time, not the end of the act. The ice-princess demeanor and detached vocals worked perfectly for the mid-'80s singles and radio samples "Smooth Operator" and "Your Love Is King." The tracks from the make-or-break second album, Promise, seem less dolorous propped up and sequenced for a compilation. The sensual-to-a-fault "The Sweetest Taboo" and "Never As Good As the First Time" both retain their strength here. The songs from Stronger Than Pride -- "Love Is Stronger Than Pride," "Nothing Can Come Between Us," and the great "Paradise" -- all benefit from Ian Cooper's mastering job. This set also includes tracks from Sade's "comeback" CD, Love Deluxe, including "Kiss of Life" and "No Ordinary Love." As a bonus, The Best of Sade also includes a rare cover of "Please Send Me Someone to Love" from the Philadelphia soundtrack. Despite its riches, The Best of Sade doesn't include all of the best, since "Maureen" and or "Keep Looking" aren't here. It's a small complaint and The Best of Sade is a great overview. ~ Jason Elias, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Your Love Is King	Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman, Gordon Matthewman	Sade	(3:41)
Hang on to Your Love	Sade Adu, Gordon Matthewman	Sade	(4:32)
Smooth Operator	Sade	Sade	(4:21)
Jezebel	Sade Adu, Gordon Matthewman	Sade	(5:30)
The Sweetest Taboo	Sade, Martin Ditcham, H.F. Adu	Sade	(4:38)
Is It a Crime	Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, Gordon Matthewman	Sade	(6:23)
Never as Good as the First Time	Sade Adu, Gordon Matthewman	Sade	(3:59)
Love Is Stronger Than Pride	Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, Gordon Matthewman	Sade	(4:20)
Paradise	Sade Adu, Paul S. Denman, Andrew Hale, Gordon Matthewman	Sade	(3:39)
Nothing Can Come Between Us	Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, Gordon Matthewman	Sade	(3:56)
No Ordinary Love	Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman	Sade	(7:22)
Like a Tattoo	Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, Gordon Matthewman	Sade	(3:41)
Kiss of Life	Sade Adu, Paul S. Denman, Andrew Hale, Gordon Matthewman	Sade	(4:12)
Please Send Me Someone to Love	Percy Mayfield	Sade	(3:43)
Cherish the Day	Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman	Sade	(6:19)
Pearls	Sade Adu, Andrew Hale	Sade	(4:33)

Credits

Sade (Arranger), Sade (Producer), Sade (Main Performer), Sade Adu (Arranger), Sade Adu (Vocals), Sade Adu (Producer), Terry Bailey (Trumpet), Pete Beachill (Trombone), Paul S. Denman (Bass), Martin Ditcham (Percussion), Martin Ditcham (Drums), Dave Early (Percussion), Dave Early (Drums), Andrew Hale (Keyboards), Gordon Hunte (Guitar), Nick Ingman (Arranger), Nick Ingman (String Arrangements), Jake Jacas (Vocals), Phil Legg (Assistant Engineer), Stuart Matthewman (Guitar), Stuart Matthewman (Saxophone), Robin Millar (Producer), Trevor Murrell (Drums), Leroy Osbourne (Vocals), Mike Pela (Producer), Mike Pela (Engineer), Mike Pela (Production Engineer), Ben Rogan (Producer), Ben Rogan (Engineer), Marc Williams (Assistant Engineer), Gavyn Wright (?), Gavyn Wright (Orchestra Leader), Hein Hoven (Producer), Hein Hoven (Mixing), Paul Cooke (Drums), Gordon Matthewman (Trumpet), Tony Pleeth (Cello), Tony Pleeth (Soloist), Tom Coyne (Remastering), Albert Watson (Photography), Alain Lubrano (Assistant Engineer), Vince McCartney (Assistant Engineer), Karl Van Den Bossche (Percussion), Olivier de Bosson (Assistant Engineer), Frank Segarra (Assistant Engineer), Melanie West (Assistant Engineer), Adrian Moore (Assistant Engineer), Sandro Franchin (Assistant Engineer), Peter Brown (Assistant Engineer), Jean Christophe Vareille (Assistant Engineer), Ian Cooper (Mastering)