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Sade hit the Day-Glo mid-1980s like a cool, monochromatic breeze. The singer updated the classic Continental style of Audrey Hepburn and married it with a vocal approach that was more whisper than growl. It's always worked, though, since Sade's icy vocal style brings out the stoic yet emotionally scarred nature of her well crafted torch songs. Much of the credit goes to her ever-tight, streamlined band, who have a knack for seamlessly mixing Smooth Jazz and Soul styles. After a fine debut and the excellent Promise (1985), her approach shifted as she began to mix overly repetitive light Funk workouts with darker mood pieces; so while Stronger Than Pride and Love Deluxe each contain a bit of filler, strong tracks abound. Lover's Rock (2000) is her best since Promise, and it proves that Sade doesn't have to compete with changing fashion or styles. She is a genre of one. |
