Sade – Promise LP (2024 Reissue) – Sony

Review
Promise solidified Sade’s signature sound with lush, unhurried compositions that blended jazz, Brazilian pop, and soul. Building on the success of their debut, Diamond Life, this album established Sade as masters of mood music, transporting listeners with their sophisticated arrangements and Sade Adu’s soft-touch vocals. The lead single, ‘The Sweetest Taboo,’ epitomizes the album’s accessibility, with its infectious midtempo groove and breathy vocals. However, it’s the opener, ‘Is It a Crime,’ that steals the spotlight, showcasing Sweetback’s (the trio behind Sade) talents with Hammond organs and djembes, while Adu’s vocals soar over big band-style crescendos. Throughout Promise, Sade explores the varied stages of love and relationships, with Adu’s autobiographical lyrics conveying melancholy and introspection. Tracks like ‘War of the Hearts’ and Jezebel’ delve into the complexities of human emotion, while ‘Tar Baby’ addresses themes of racial identity and unexpected pregnancy with sensitivity and depth. With each track, the band reaffirms their commitment to crafting music that moves and transports listeners – an approach that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Label: Sony
Format: gatefold LP
Cat: 196587 84811
Released: 21 Jun 24
Genre: Soul
BUY LP

Tracklist
Side 1
1.”Is It A Crime” 6:15
2. “The Sweetest Taboo” 4:29
3. “War Of The Hearts” 6:48
4. “Jezebel” 5:27

Side 2
1. “Mr Wrong” 2:52
2. “Never As Good As The First Time” 4:58
3. “Fear” 4:05
4. “Tar Baby” 3:58
5. “Maureen” 4:18

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