From her album listening party last night:

JackieBlue said:

she could go out in pajama-like clothes and still look like royalty

PricelessHo said:

I'm sorry, was she asleep in some sort of time-suspension device in between records??

johnart said:

barbie dolls ought to be ashamed of themselves

how does she not age? damn!!

More pics of Sade at the listening party.

http://room55.multiply.co...ty_dec_09#

Sade + Maxwell = Ideal 2010 Winter Tour

Sade Unveils 'Soldier' Album In New York
December 2009


Sade, the R&B group featuring vocalist Sade Adu, will release its first collection of new material in almost ten years, "Soldier of Love," on Feb. 8, 2010 through Epic Records. The singer/songwriter, looking as youthful as ever in a black, silk pant suit and her staple slicked-back ponytail after revealing herself to thrilled members of the media, previewed the album in New York City's Frederick P. Rose Hall at Lincoln Center last night (Dec. 14).

"Soldier" is produced by Sade along with the band's friend and longtime collaborator Mike Pela. The band's lineup remains virtually unchanged since its inception in 1983, and the songs on "Soldier" are written primarily by Adu, saxophone and guitar player Stuart Matthewman, bassist Paul Spencer Denman and keyboard player Andrew Hale.

"The Moon and the Sky" finds Adu declaring her devotion to her former lover, singing, "I pulled in all the stars and the moon/laid them on your feet till I gave you my love/you are the one that got me started/you could let me love anyone, but I only wanted you/why did you make me cry? Why didn't you come get me one last time," over choppy violins and simple drums. The title track, which was released last week as the first single, begins with a gentle wind, followed by muted trumpets. "I've lost the use of my heart, but I'm still alive/still looking for the light in the endless pool on the other side," Adu croons in her husky voice over marching band drums and smeared electric guitar riffs.

The heartfelt "Morning Bird" is packed with strings, piano strokes and tambourine clatter, as Sade questions, "How could you? You are the river/I told this life, how could you/you are the morning day, you sang me into life/everyday, fly away, you are the blood of me/the heart of my dream." She commends a man's fatherly instincts on "Baby Father" over a guitar and drums, while she shelters the love of her companion on "The Safest Place," singing, "In my heart, your love has found the safest hiding place" over a piano-based production.

"Long Hard Road" has dramatic violins and "Be That Easy" is reminiscent of a country love song with guitars and whistles. Meanwhile, Sade sounds pained on "Bring Me Home," with lyrics like, "I've cried for the lives I've lost/I feel so close but far away from God;" "In Another Time" is one of the album's highlights, with a stunning violin arrangement and saxophones; and "Skin" features a delicate drum and bass beat.

Sade's 2000 release, "Lovers Rock," sold 3.9 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.




http://www.billboard.com/...3759.story
[Edited 12/31/09 8:50am]

Sneak Peek: Sade's Soldier of Love
12/15/2009-VIBE


Few recording artists in the time of continuing shrinking record distribution, digital music downloads, and a never-ending recession, would receive the posh red carpet rollout exhibited last night (Dec. 14) at New York's historic Lincoln Center. But not every artist has the immense mystique and event-like cache of Sade, an act who has meticulously stayed away from the proverbial spotlight since her neo jazz-based 1984 debut Diamond Life.

At an exclusive listening party for the Nigerian-born British singer-songwriter's sixth studio release Soldier of Love (due Feb. 8), the atmosphere was as elegant as the 50-year old singer herself. Pink roses, pear bellinis, and a mammoth window overlooking a postcard-worthy view of Manhattan's bustling Columbus Circle proved to be a savvy backdrop. But you get the sense that the diverse range of individuals who made it out to hear Sade's first new studio album in nearly a decade (who else could get the likes of golden age hip hop producer DJ Marley Marl, legendary radio personality Tom Joyner and the New York Times' respected veteran music critic Jon Pareles in the same room together?) would have gladly listened to the album at a greasy hamburger joint in Queens.

Musically, the 10-track Soldier of Love doesn't stray too far from the classic Sade sound. Mournful lyrics that dive into the emotional cost of lost love as well as hope-driven introspection fuels much of the album's dramatic tone. And that voice? It's still there: haunting, calming, gorgeous all at once.

Still, nothing could have prepared those in attendance for a rare sighting of the reclusive Sade, who following the session, appeared with members of her backing band that have been with her since the beginning of her career. Dressed in an all black silk outfit, with her trademark crimson red lipstick and pulled-back hair, Sade was greeted enthusiastically by the usually jaded music industry tastemakers who stood in line just to take a picture with the singer who seemingly ages every twenty years.

"She's been signed to the label for 25 years now, so obviously she's an incredibly iconic artist," glowed Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia and Epic label Group, Sade's longtime label home. "We are just thrilled that she wants to make music again. She doesn't have to put records out every year to be relevant. She's earned that respect and credibility to where she can put records out whenever she wants."

To hear a straight-no-chaser record-man like Stringer make such a statement runs counter to the strike-while-it's-hot mindset of a music industry in which a much hyped pop star like Rihanna has released four albums in five years. But Sade, who has sold more than 50 million records worldwide, is known for taking long hiatuses between albums. Her last studio album, Lovers Rock, was released in 2000. So why the long break this time? "She's been busy raising her daughter," said Sade's longtime manager Roger Davis. When asked about the prospect of a tour, he laughed and said, "We can only hope. We have to get the record out first."

And what does the lady herself have to say about all the outpouring of support? "I'm just happy that everyone came out," Sade told VIBE in a whispered British tone. "Thank you."

Highlights on Soldier of Love include:

❦"The Moon and The Sky"
A seductive Latin groove accented by Spanish guitars is paced by an assertive rim shot. "Why didn't you come get me one last time...we could have had the moon and the sky," Sade sings. Intensely sexy.

❦"Soldier of Love"
The official first single and album title track has been a curve pitch for longtime Sade fans. The harder edged Portishead-style production and winking western-standoff feel of the track (complete with rumbling military snares) takes a minute to get used to. But its relentless groove and Sade's sincere vocal performance makes it more than believable.

❦"Babyfather"
Sade at her most whimsical. "For you, he's the best he can be...daddy loves you," she says on the reggae-tinged track.

❦"Bring Me Home"
One of the tracks that will surely get play from club DJ's who worship at the alter of early '90s, digging-in-the-crates hip hop. With it's thumping bassline, this standout cut is easily the fastest paced song on Soldier of Love. There's ominous talk of tears. But this dramatic line says it all: "I've cried for the lives I've lost..." Wow.

❦"Skin"
Ranks among Sade's most heavy vocal and lyrical performances of all-time. A Fender Rhodes keyboard can be heard. So can the pain of a romance gone terribly wrong. "I wish I could wash you off my skin." There's no room for ambiguity here.

❦"The Safest Place"
Sade finds comfort in another's arms. Lush harmonies. Hope closes out the album.--Keith Murphy

http://www.vibe.com/mt/20...r-of-love/
[Edited 12/15/09 20:58pm]

More sax? Beautiful poetic lyrics? WOW!! I. Can. Not. Wait.

See, what sells Sade for me is that even on songs that aren't melodically the most memorable, the lyrics make up for the slack and allow for years and years of enjoyment.

full tracklist

1. The Moon And The Sky
2. Soldier Of Love
3. Morning Bird
4. Baby Father
5. Long Hard Road
6. Be That Easy
7. Bring Me Home
8. In Another Time
9. Skin
10. The Safest Place

funkyslsistah said:

I am not joking when I say I would pay an obscene amount of money to see that show!

Militant said:

10 tunes huh?


probably can played the cd without skipping one track

wow reminds me of a frida kahlo painting. lovely.

JackieBlue said:

how does she manage to look so young?

okay the following folk have access to the fountain of youth and I am determined to gain access from one or all of them.

Sade
Prince
Lisa Coleman
Christy Brinkley
Elle MacPhereson
Barack Obama
Daniel Day Lewis.


I mean they just don't look their ages.
[Edited 12/21/09 22:48pm]

funkyslsistah said:

‘Love’ promo clip.

PurpleJedi said:

I normally don't listen to the radio, but today, I was surprised that Sade's single "Soldier of Love" was playing on 98.7kiss fm in NYC. I was quite surprised, seein how some of these black radio stations rarely play new stuff from legendary artists.

That girl's looks is stuck in 1992. I'm mean seriously, when does that girl age!?!

JackieBlue said:

...so is that dude in the back with the red tie checking out her onion or what?!?!?