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Rating: "Her origin from Africa... her zebra elegance..." It's natural to associate this line by Paolo Conte with Helen Folasade Adu, known as Sade, an exquisite singer and songwriter of Nigerian origin, who along with her band helped make the notorious and somewhat overly criticized '80s less bitter, continuing to offer her sound, more or less unchanged, up to the present day. To be honest, the African origin in her music can only be found in minimal traces: some typical percussion here and there, but above all a certain mournful inflection in her sensual and delicate voice, some notes held a bit long, almost dragged, especially at the end of the verses, which make her singing style unmistakable and at the same time, in the long run, a bit monotone and repetitive, but this concerns mostly the latest albums.
Far more important than the origin is undoubtedly the elegance, and paraphrasing Paolo Conte, one could say that Sade's is a mix of zebra and purebred English horse, in the sense that the natural grace of her voice is accompanied by a musical approach, hers and her band's, that is decidedly Western, perfectly fitting into that typically British trend of neo-aesthetes of jazz that in the '80s offered groups like Style Council and Everything But The Girl. Generally, they were competent purveyors of a clean sound, crystal-clear pop-jazz even if a bit academic, and the musicians accompanying Sade are no exception, particularly Stuart Matthewman, who, along with Sade herself, authored most of the tracks.
In this specific case, however, there was the added value of an uncommon voice, which at least partly explains the huge commercial success that rewarded the Anglo-Nigerian singer since her debut ("Diamond Life").
"Promise" (1985) is the second album, and while on one hand, it appears less packed with catchphrases compared to the first, on the other hand, it may still be the most striking example of the perfect formal elegance previously mentioned. Even the two "catchy" tracks, i.e., designed to be played on the radio by less discerning DJs, are alluring and have rhythms, quick but not too much, as their winning card: "The Sweetest Taboo" is a kind of accelerated bossa-nova punctuated by lively percussion, "Never As Good As The First Time" a compelling pseudo-soul, an ideal base for Sade's vocalizations. But it is in the slow songs, or better known as "ballads," that the album offers its best. "Is It A Crime" is a fairly sustained jazz piece, enriched by remarkable vocal evolutions and sparkling piano and sax solos; "Jezebel" sees Sade's voice and Matthewman's sax competing in skill over a gently melancholic theme, in "Fear" Spanish-like notes successfully blend into an otherwise a bit too polished sound: the guitar of Carlos Bonell, a soloist also known for his recordings of classical Spanish composers. "Punch Drunk" is a tranquil instrumental "ballad," while "War Of The Hearts" and "You're Not The Man" share a quiet beginning, a crescendo rhythm, and a hypnotic but also a bit overly prolonged finale in both cases. We also mention "Mr. Wrong," with its striking bass line, and "Maureen," a cheerful and lively soul, an unusual way to remember a friend who is no longer with us.
Those seeking strong sensations can safely steer clear of this, as well as all Sade's albums, but those looking for excellent background music will find it absolutely perfect, even if they can't help but notice the absence of that spark of genius and creativity that usually marks masterpieces.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Is It a Crime (06:22)
This may come, This may come as some surprise
but i miss you
i could see through all of your lies
but still i miss you
he takes her love, but it doesn't feel like mine
he tastes her kiss, her kisses are not mine, they're not mine
he takes, but surely she can't give what i'm feeling now
she takes, but surely she doesn't know how
is it a crime
is it a crime
that i still want you
and i want you to want me too
my love is wider, wider than victoria lake
my love is taller, taller than the empire state
it dives and it jumps and it ripples like the deepest ocean
i can't give you more than that, surely you want me back
is it a crime
is it a crime
that i still want you
and i want you to want me too
my love wider than victoria lake
taller than the empire state
it dives and it jumps
i can't give you more than that, surely you want me back
is it a crime
is it a crime
that i still want you
and i want you to want me too
02 The Sweetest Taboo (04:38)
If I tell you
If I tell you now
Will you keep on
Will you keep on loving me
If I tell you
If I tell you how I feel
Will you keep bringing out the best in me
You give me, you give me the sweetest taboo
You give me, you're giving me the sweetest taboo
Too good for me
There's a quiet storm
And it never felt like this before
There's a quiet storm
That is you
There's a quiet storm
And it never felt this hot before
Giving me something that's taboo
(Sometimes I think you're just too good for me)
You give me the sweetest taboo
That's why I'm in love with you (with you)
You give me the sweetest taboo
Too good for me
(Sometimes I think you're just too good for me)
I'd do anything for you
I'd stand out in the rain
Anything you want me to do
Don't let it slip away
There's a quiet storm
And it never felt like this before
There's a quiet storm, I think it's you
There's a quiet storm
And I never felt this hot before
Giving me something that's taboo
You give me the (you give me, you give me the) sweetest taboo
That's why I am in love with you (with you)
You give me, keep giving me the sweetest taboo
Too good for me
You've got the biggest heart
Sometimes i think you're just too good for me
Every day is Christmas, and every night is New Year's Eve
Will you keep on loving me
Will you keep on, will you keep on
Bringing out the best in me
04 You're Not the Man (05:10)
you're not the man who gave me everything
i've ever wanted
you're not the man
who stepped inside my life
and haunted every, every day
you're not the man
who said he'd never leave
couldn't breathe
and could not sleep without me
that was someone who you left behind
a long time ago
you're not the man
who would bleed for me
never shed a tear
you're not the one
said he'd always be near
you're not the man
who threw me a lifeline
and you're not the man
i am so proud to call mine
and you're not the one
who said he'd never leave
the one who made me believe in me
that was someone who could do no wrong
but you lost him
you're not the man
who would bleed for me
but never shed a tear
you're not the one
who said he'd always, always, always be here
said he'd always, always be near
but don't get me wrong
although it seems sad
it's not all bad
you see
i'm not the little girl i used to be
you're not the man
not the one
who said he'd always, always, always be near
he was everything you see
he made me believe in me
said he'd always, always, always be here
05 Jezebel (05:30)
Jezebel wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth
She probably had less than every one of us
But when she knew how to walk she knew
How to bring the house down
Can't blame her for her beauty
She wins with her hands down
Jezebel, what a belle
Looks like a princess in her new dress
How did you get that
Do you really want to know, she said
It would seem she's on her way
It's more, more than just a dream
She put on her stockings and shoes
Had nothing to lose - she said it was worth it
Reach for the top
And the sun is gonna shine
Every winter was a war she said
I want to get what's mine
Jezebel Jezebel
Won't try to deny where she came from
You can see it in her pride
And the raven in her eyes
Try show her a better way
She'll say you don't know what you've been missing
And by the time she blinks you know she won't be listening
Reach for the top she said
And the sun is gonna shine
Every winter was a war she said
I want to get what's mine
06 Mr. Wrong (02:52)
he don't care
where he's been playing
he doesn't hear
a word she's saying
she's a fancy girl
so why's she staying
hanging on for mr. wrong
he doesn't show her that he needs her
she doesn't know his love's a liar
she's a fancy girl - got to be strong
say so long - mr. wrong
bye bye
get out on your own girl
show him how
you can be strong girl
you don't need him now
run away, pretty girl
say so long - mr. wrong
run away
bye bye
08 Never as Good as the First Time (05:01)
good times they come and they go
never going to know
what fate is going to blow
your way just hope that it feels right
sometimes it comes and it goes
you take it ever so slow
and then you lose it, then it flows right to you
so we rely on the past
special moments that last
were they as tender as we dare to remember
such a fine time as this
what could equal the bliss
the thrill of the first kiss
it'll blow right to you
it's never as good as the first time
never as good as the first time
good times they come and they go
never going to know
it's like the weather
one day chicken next day feathers
the rose we remember
the thorns we forget
we'd love and leave
we never spend a minute on regret
it is a possibility
the more we know the less we see
second time, second time is not quite what it seems
natural as the way we came to be
second time won't live up to the dream
it's never as good as the first time
never as good as the first time
natural as the way we came to be
second time won't live up to the dream
natural as the way we came to be
second time is not quite what it seemed
it's never
as good as the first time
as the first time (never as good as the first time)
the first time
natural as the way we came to be
second time won't live up to the dream
natural as the way we came to be
second time is not quite what it seemed
it's never
as good as the first time
as the first time (never as good as the first time)
the first time
09 Fear (04:11)
blue is the colour of the red sky
will he, will he come home tonight
blue is the colour that she feels inside
matador i can't hide my fear anymore
azul es el color del rojo cielo
volvera, volvera a mi esta noche
azul es el color que siente a dentro
matador no puedo esconder mi temor
can she tame the beast that is her fear
puede domar la fiera que es su temor
waiting for her matador
will they bring the bad news
blue is the colour that she feels inside
matador i can't hide my fear anymore
azul es el color del rojo cielo
volvera, volvera a mi esta noche
azul es el color que siente a dentro
matador no puedo esconder mi temor
10 Tar Baby (03:58)
grandma came to see
something she could not believe
how could her girl be
so naive
tar baby, tar baby
told the secret she conceived
oh, that big old smile of yours
could turn the wind into a song
how could i have doubted
honey it's with me that you belong
tar baby, tar baby
i love you so
(i love you)
like a brand new blade
you cut into my life
cut through two decades
like a hot coal on ice
tar baby, my tar baby
it maybe, was meant to be
when i look at you
i can't believe my eyes
and with your magic
i think you just might charm the birds out of the skies
tar baby, tar baby
came good out of grief
a golden thread inside of the web
that i got caught in
oh, it's a lover's revenge, but out of the pain
come the best things you see
you cut into my life
you cut into my life (baby baby baby baby don't you know that)
you cut into my life (i love you)
you cut into my life
la la la la la ooh
you can turn the wind into a song
la la la la la baby baby baby
it's with me you belong
11 Maureen (04:21)
maureen
it's hard to explain
i'm never gonna see you again
and you'll never meet my new friends
maureen, i miss you
i just can't explain
i'm never gonna see you again
i wish you could meet my new friends
walking along the subway listening to
loving you is easy acapella
you were a souped-up car in that rent-a-go-cart town
and i miss you maureen
we're as thick as thieves
maureen, maureen
remember when my mother said to me
sade don't you come home too late
till you're back i stay awake
and maureen
with the boys you could tell at a glance
you'd say he looks good
let's hope he can dance
wicky wacky party to the...
where are we going tonight
and what will you be wearing
shone like a souped-up car in that rent-a-go-cart town
and i miss you maureen, i miss you girl
you were my best friend
never gonna see you again, maureen
and you'll never meet my new friends
you really were a pearl in my world, maureen
maureen
it's hard to explain
you'll never call 'round to see me again
you'll never meet my new friends
never meet my new friends
never meet my new friends
never meet my new friends
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