Reviews (page 10 of 13)
For me, this is one of those influential albums just blend into the era they were created in. Sounds like generic 80s to me. The only song I knew was Smooth Operator, and it is now stuck in my head.
Liked this far more than I thought I would. Easy smooth jazzy with Latin overtures. Hang On To Your Love was my favorite here. Nice album. Smooth Operator is almost a memeish song.
Love smooth operator. Great song to open an album. moving into your love is king which is equally great. It goes down hill from there and becomes very biege and safe. Slcik sounds with very little edge. I can see why people like Sade but she is not for me. Favourite song: Smooth operator Least favourite: from track 3 onwards all songs are a bit meh. Album artwork: Strong cover
Its Sade
Najbolje pjesme: 1. Smooth Operator 2. Cherry Pie 3. Hang On To Your Love
The lead singer has an enchanting, beautiful voice. On a few too many of the songs here, the hooks repeat themselves until the appeal is gone. The production is a bit dated to my ears as well. I didn't dislike my listen, but I wasn't moved by it. Highlights: Hang On to Your Love, Frankie's First Affair
I'm with Kev here on the 80s pop R&B vibe just not being what I'm into. Two songs in, I certainly can appreciate the quality of her voice and the backing vocals, but the instrumentals are drowning in cheese. Something about the over-produced silky bass mixed with saxophone and artificial keys just reminds me of growing up shopping with my mom at a department store (lol just re-read Kev's review; funny we are in the same spot mentally here). Instrumentals for Hang On to Your Love have an undeniable groove about them. This taps a similar energy to Beat It, but like more relaxed. Love the meaty bass here with the scratchy guitar licks. Sally is another standout to me. Describes Sally (if genius is to be trusted a personification for Salvation Army?) as someone who was there for a number of people fallen on hard times -- taking in people swallowed up by the streets in one way or another. This album isn't something I'll be back to anytime soon, but I'm actually glad to have listened to it. Sure, the instrumentals have plenty of cheese, but the production is clean and there were several points that actually pulled me in. This is a solid 3 for me.
I knew Smooth Operator. Common theme of knowing like one song. I'm not familiar with Sade. Sounds like an 80s drama fill soundtrack with some jazz vibe. 3 stars for me
Enjoyable listen that had me going in and out of paying attention while working. A nice jazzy number is always welcome in my headphones. Definitely caught some 4 star moments in here, but ultimately I was tuned out for too much of it to really warrant a 4. Definitely a high 3 though.
Pretty solid jazz-pop that was really cool at times but at other times a bit boring. Smooth Operator is obviously a jam, but I have to give it a knock because Carlos Sainz Jr chose it as his theme song and fuck that guy. I'd say the highs outweigh the lows and this turned out to be a pretty high 3
I almost like Smooth Operator, Hang on to Your Love, Cherry Pie (instrumental parts, especially intro), Why Can’t We Live Together (especially intro)
2.75
The loveliest taboo. 3 stars.
I have very vivid memories from when I was a kid of smashing my head against a wall waiting for my mom to finish up shopping in the Lord and Taylor in the mall a few towns away. I am convinced this is the album they were playing in the store. I associate this type of music with that stale department store smell and the cinnamon from an Aunt Annie's pretzel. That's all to say that as oddly nostalgic as this album feels, it's so safe. I can't speak to whether or not this was 'revolutionary' when it came out, but nowadays it sounds pretty unremarkable. Pretty standard commercial music coming out for the decade.
While I really enjoy Sade's voice and smooth operator is a banger, the rest of the album didn't wow me. Definitely great for more relaxed listening.
A little groovy here and there. Not my genre so doubt I'll give it another go. Good for a one time listen from me. Will I listen to again: 0.1%
Sade should team up with Slade from Teen Titans
Super smooth. I liked the similar songs that Spotify found as well.
I like this artist more than I thought I would.
Es tönt alles easy guet, aber au sehr ähnlich und für mich irgendwie z langwilig
Feels like if you told ChatGPT to make a jazz album with Nico’s vocals. This album confuses me. Sometimes I really enjoy the unique vocals, then sometimes I find them abrasive. This can change even mid song. Instrumentals are solid though.
Good I guess? Kind of a blur
This album felt like elevator music, which made me wonder if elevator music in the 2060s will be Beyoncé, Cardi B, SZA, etc. I never wanted to turn this off, but probably won’t listen again.
A fun thought experiment here is, what would this album sound like if it came out today and someone was like, “hey maybe cool it with the sax?”
Me ha gustado... lo justo
It's OK. She's obviously very talented and has a great, smooth voice. But the songs sound quite dated to me. I'm actually a little disappointed, to be honest, because I've always known Sade to put out masterpieces - but apparently they haven't aged well to my ear.
How the heck did I not know that Sade was the artist behind Smooth Operator?! Also that Smooth Operator is now a 40 year old song (!) as is this album. What a wild time when I hit play on Diamond Life. I was also shocked to note that on Spotify Smooth Operator was not the most listened to song on the album! At the end of the day, who can resist the smooth sounds of Sade with her stellar debut, whilst it wouldn't be on my regular rotation, it is lovely to hear every now and then. Best: Smooth Operator Worst: Cherry Pie
It's very pleasant and chilled. Smooth songs, sung very nicely. I wouldn't usually go along with this level of sensual 80's sax, but you know what? It's working. 3.5 rounded down.
Unexpectedly good. It makes you wonder if you’ve already hear it somewhere else. I won’t put it more than three-stars because those qualifications are reserved only for albums that I would listen by my own and that I would REMEMBER to play. I doubt this would ever happen with this…
Sexy and engaging
Very much the silk sheets of 80s music
I expected to enjoy this more than I did. Smooth sounding with decent melodies, but ultimately a little too boring for my taste.
Bah, normal. Agradable. Electro-R&Balternative R&Belectronica.
Smooth, jazzy, repetitive
Nice and smooth. Despite is not my main music style I really liked listening.
Smooth Operator bangs, naturally.
Always thought Sade would be neo soul Erykah Badu-esque but this had an older soul sound to it. Good voice and made me want to listen to more
Sade is cool
Love her voice, the smooth bass and jazzy saxophone are great. I've hear Smooth Operator countless times, but never with the spoken word intro, they must cut it out for a radio edit. I also liked "I will be your friend " off this album. It was pretty good, definitely different from what was being played on the radio at the time. Best track Smooth Operator
B- Smooth Operator 4 Your Love Is King 3 Hang On To Your Love 3 Frankie's First Affair 3 When Am I Going To Make A Living 3 Cherry Pie 3 Sally 4 I Will Be Your Friend 3 Why Can't We Live Together 3 To quote Tom Hardy in the timeless film This Means War, "Sade is not exclusive, my friend."
The music here was alright, not bad. Biggest problem here is that the production is way to clean for my personal taste.
It’s unfair to be judgy about this album because Sade has a gorgeous voice and the musical choices completely work. Dinner by candle light? Put it on, open the wine, and let everything breathe. This album will deliver the right notes. Except.. just like the line in Your Love is King, “I’m crying out for more” here. I kept wanting stretch in this album. I wanted her to climb tougher hills instead of blending in with the admittedly lush sax notes. As I said, it’s not fair of me to judge, but I wanted it to take bigger steps.
5.5/10
Smooth soul and it doesn't get any smoother than this, especially "Smooth Operator" and "Your Love Is King".
3/5
I grew up listening to this album because my mother loved Sade. Not my cup of tea but there are a few songs that I enjoy.
Not bad, I like her sound a lot. Not many standout tunes, but I'd like to hear more
Nice but repetitive in melody
Some groovy 80's music. Really like Smooth Operator and Sally. Could use a few more upbeat tracks.
Sounds like 80's porn music. Not bad. Favourite songs: Smooth Operator, Hang On To Your Love, Cherry Pie Least favourite songs: Frankie's First Affair, Sally 3/5
One of my old favorites, reminds me of my younger youth. Still love the style of music and her smooth voice.
In the span of just 6 days, I've had albums by Mariah Carey, Madonna, and now Sade. My Spotify algorithm is going to think I'm a middle-aged mother going through a divorce. It's pretty good. Very smooth, as the name of the first song implies, but I'm very rarely in the mood for this kind of music and today was no different.
I remember liking the smooth operator song back in the day, and remember the video well, but listening to the whole album it really sounds the same after a bit. Extra point cuz she's cool
Nostalgia trip
Sade
Good. Definitely a relic of the time.
Someone sped up some vaourwave! On first listen I found the album to be bland. I have listened to it 3 times now to try to get a better understanding. I have managed to find some interest and have warmed to it somewhat. 2.5+/5
I don’t like this genre (quiet storm?) and Sade in general.
I thought this was pleasant but the band really carried Sade here. Her voice is smooth and all but I wouldn't say it blows me away. It almost sounds like that when she pushes her range, it kind of... falls flat and makes me want more? Anyway, Smooth Operator the biggest hit of her career, all other tracks are fine. 6/10.
Nice jazzy pop music
Bah, normal. Agradable. Electro-R&Balternative R&Belectronica.
Best Song: Hang On to Your Love. Really dug the groovy vocal rhythm. Worst Song: Cherry Pie. I like actual cherry pie as much as I like any of the myriad songs that reference it, which is to say not much at all. Sing about pumpkin pie if you want my interest. Overall: Liked it a lot more than I thought that I would. Soulful, poppy. Easy-listening that works well for cooking or lounging.
Tu peux le laisser en boucle sans enlever une seconde, très très smooth... Je comprends totalement Elrich Bachmann: "Just maintain eye contact, light some scented candles and throw in some Sade. The early stuff, though, before her arrangements got too baroque."
"See the people fussing and thieving, while the sharks are wheeling and dealing" It's the 'smooth operator' album, but it offers more than just a single hit. This is the type of female vocalist jazz that I can enjoy (looking at you, Ella Fitzgerald). I put this album on, and as soon as I knew it, it was over, not due to the run-time, but because it flows really nicely in the background T1- "Smooth Operator" is a really really nice track with an addictive chorus (playlist track). Tracks 2 and 3 "Your love is king" and "Hang onto your love" were also notably good tracks, but not close to the caliber of Smooth Operator. The rest of the album wasn't memorable, and didn't add (or take away) much. Another album with what seems to be a 1 hit wonder with other decent songs around it. 3/5
So smooth and sultry, some lovely bubbling bass and silky vocals. Not my usual cup of tea but a nice way to spend 44 minutes.
Next 5 Songs played by my Spotify playlist: Al Green - Let's Stay Together Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine Amy Winehouse - Love is a Losing Game Lenny Kravitz - It Ain't Over 'til it's Over Marvin Gaye - Keep on Dancin' Part 1
😎
Legendary classics
Groooooovy!
Very pleasant
Smooth af
Enjoyable 80s smooth jazz-pop that bears repeated listening.
Haven’t listened since it came out, but it was good at the time.
One hit wonder.
It's very much an album that defined that period of time, and I enjoyed listening to it having not done so for decades.
This album is a time capsule. It's like opening up a time capsule of early-to-mid-80's R&B/soul. You have the soft keyboards, the easy tempo and the excessive use of the saxophone. It makes me want to hop in the car with my parents and listen as they turn on the easy listening station as I play my Gameboy. This isn't a bad album at all. It's good for the 1980's and has a specific sound that was not really heard prior to this album.
A good album at what it's trying to do.
Smooth operator has a great chorus but the rest is pretty meh background music. Second listen I liked it a bit more but still only a 3/5
-Didn’t write a BL- AL: Sade is very good at what she does. I however find that she’s a bit of a one trick pony - atleast within the scope of this album. While it was by no means bad the album ended up dragging for me by the time the last 3 or so tracks occured. Smooth Operator is still a classic though FT: “Smooth Operator”, “Frankie’s First Affair” 3/5
Fun album, a little samey for my liking but I generally enjoyed the vibe
This sort of super smooth pop-soul is definitely of a certain era, and not that much my thing, but it has a certain charm.
It makes for pretty smooth listening
Soul.
Ganska soft och skön.
Sort of disappointed because I knew and liked Smooth Operator but the rest of it felt like background music; I spent most the time focusing on the bass which is interesting because it wasn’t exactly mind blowing. Album overall wasn’t too bad.
Not something I would think to listen to but I enjoyed it
Decent album, but Smooth Operator is the only song that really shines
A classic album. Very nostalgic and she has a lovely voice. I only wish I could have listened to it again. Originally I was thinking 4* but truly maybe it’s a high 3*
awe, my wife's favorite artist. I liked it, maybe 3 stars.
This was 1984?? That doesn’t seem right. And yet… yeah, I guess it does. While I could’ve sworn “Smooth Operator” was more of a 1988 or 1989 thing, much of this album feels more connected to sounds of the ‘70s than what I think of when I think of “‘80s music.” For example, if you say “Cherry Pie + ‘80s music,” I’m going to reply with “Warrant” every single time even though that technically came out in 1990. Just how my mind works. I’m not good with dates, guys. But speaking of, there are some songs on here like “Cherry Pie” that don’t much move the needle for me, but on the whole I liked the album more than I expected. And I think I may even like “Frankie’s First Affair” more than “Smooth Operator,” which has never been a song I’ve loved, per se. But there’s no denying it’s got a vine and an ability to stick in your head for (almost) four decades. And that’s gotta count for something. Good on ya, Sade.
I like Sade's voice and this album was smooth as. Smooth Operator is a classic. Fave tracks When Am I Going to Make a Living, and the 80's vibes on Why Can't We Live Together.
A weird amount of vitriol spewed at this album in the reviews! It's not quite my thing, but I appreciate the smooooveness and Sade has a lovely voice, so it's a perfectly pleasant background listen. No complaints! Fave track - "Smooth Operator" was the one I was familiar with going in - "Sally" I quite liked, too!
her first album smooth operator is here but the rest is forgettable
Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. She's got a lot of interesting textures in her voice, and the storytelling is both nostalgic and vivid.
Have the vinyl, remember when Sade burst on to the scene like a breath of fresh air. Beautiful voice. Understated production. Doesn't really hold up as anything super special in the context of history, though.
2/9, 22%
I can see why this is popular but not for me. A high 3.
Ihan jepaa, mut ei silleen mitään hirveen erikoista. Mutta smooooth operatoooor
This album has most of the right ingredients for me: strong jazz influence, thoughtful lyrics, strong voice. The arrangements are nice, but it feels like there could have been more sophisticated uses of the instrumentation. Favorite track: Smooth Operator
jazzy pop ballades aren’t really my thing, but I can hear the direct influences on others artists and albums. I’m sure folks in the 80s were blown away by this record. It still holds up pretty well.
Good, weird tone shift after ramones
Not really a fan of this, but I knew 80% of the songs. Must have been playing on the radio during my tenure as a maintenance man at TJ Maxx circa late 90s.
Top 3 Songs: 1- Your Love is King (2) 2 - Cherry Pie (6) 3 - Smooth Operator (1)
Seductive, obviously. Not as dated as you might expect. 3/5
So good, had echt een kut album kunnen zijn maar het klopt allemaal vind ik qua flow. Vooral details kan ik van genieten zoals de beetje tropische beats, nice akkoorden en de saxofoon. MAAR: Wat een bad B-side.. Favoriete nr.: hang in to your love
Feels like a 3*; some good tunes and a good vibe but nothing outstanding.
Fine.
This is cocaine jazz, providing the perfect backdrop for conversations between lines following your eighties themed dinner party. It's so smooth you can listen to it front to back and still want more. Five hours later you realise you're not the smooth operator of the titletrack.
Smooooth operaaaaator Followed by inoffensive choons
мне кажется я слышала его один-два раза лет двадцать назад на домашнем сд-центре в полутьме, ну он милый) респект ей за такой популярный альбом
Listened Before? N Nice silky smooth 80s pop. Smooth Operator is a classic if you were alive in the mid 80s. I enjoyed the rest, too. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Smooth Operator
This was fine. Very 80s. I did not mind listening to it, but I don't think it is anything amazing.
It was decent
Frankly I liked the vibes but think it would hit much harder if I was cruising Route 66 or something on a road trip. Not great not terrible. 3/5
Smooth operator by carlos sainz, formula 1 racer for Ferarri, is my favorite song. Coast to coast la to chicago? I mean i guess lake michigan could count as a coast… But real talk this record is a vibe from the get-go. I feel like its hard to dislike this record, its got good vibes, great production, soothing vocals, what else would you want? However! Im not too sure if i feel like this is deserving of one of the greatest records of all time — i do get a little tired of it going through the record as it has the same problem as some other records we’ve listened to, its TOO consistent, most songs have the same general vibe and styling, but alas they are very well made and its hard to not enjoy it for what the music is.
This one is nice! What a refreshingly pleasant album to listen to that didn’t drop any hard slurs! I don’t really have a ton to say as this album isn’t exactly the most memorable. It’s a pretty chalk album, but at this stage of the 1001 generator project I can’t be upset with chalk. I think this album is the pinnacle 3.5 rating, it’s something great to put on when you have the in-laws over (something I have no experience with unfortunately). P.S. for Chip: That first track was giving some real Steely Dan vibes.
Smooth is right, the album flows from one song to the next with no real bumps or distinguishing features for each track. The opener is certainly a standout track but the rest are pretty vanilla.
Yeah, fine.
Listened to it while gently pottering around tidying the house on a Sunday afternoon. It was perfectly fine for that.
Ziemlich Ruhig aber schön! Ich würde es aber eher als Hintergrund Musik hören
Nice and smooth (operator).
Would be rad playing in a party under conversation, but focusing on it revealed few secrets or rewards.
Well I normally hate 80s albums and Sade did get a bit of a reputation as coffee table/dinner party/wine bar music but you know its pretty fine. Her voice is great and the the production is not like s typical 80s album. 3.5
Decent.
Not bad
sade's diamond life was absolutely a pleasant and smooth listen. the jazz undertones, especially with that horn (!), is what made for such a smooth ride. there were no bad songs, because it was such easy listening. but at the same time it made for good background music, it was too uniform and it blended too much together. i wish there was something to make it stand out more. ultimately, an average album.
Another artist that I had heard OF, but not actually HEARD. This album was beautifully sung and recorded, but ultimately a bit uninspiring for me. It was pleasant enough to listen to, but was just very middle-of-the-road. I will say, "Your Love is King" is an exception to that statement -- this song really struck me and I couldn't wait to go back and listen to it again. The album closer, "Why Can't We Live Together", also had its own very unique vibe and passion that resonated with me, leading me to look at it as a standout song from the album. Really, all of this was easy enough and unoffensive to listen to, just also not particularly remarkable. This is probably a 2.5+ for me, so rounding it up to 3.
Pretty solid 80s pop album.
it's ok, sounds like something you would have sex to.
It was good but it all kinda sounded the same
Classy stuff. Not something I'd race to put on, but I was and would be happy to listen to it (and found I enjoyed it more if I really listened than as background music). It was starting to get a bit same-samey through most of the 2nd side, but then the last track was enjoyably different.
The best tracks on this are the opening 2 tracks, both killer singles in their day & still holding up very well, track 3 (Hang On To Your Love) & the last track, a cover of a song by American r’n’b singer Timmy Thomas, Why Can’t We Live Together. The other 5 tracks are not quite as good, but, put them all together & the album flows quite well. I was really only familiar with the first 3 tracks, but thought the LP was a pretty good listen.
ok but not great
Not my usual fare, but it's hard to go wrong with Sade. She's got a fantastic voice, and "Smooth Operator" is a classic.
Solid
Smoooooth (operator).
Sade y otro disco con Groove y buenas vibras. Las letras no me matan, pero no son malas, tiene una voz espectacular, las melodías son hermosas y el remate del disco se lo da la delivery de la artista que es excepcional. Por mas de que ninguna canción me cansó me precio bueno pero tirando a medio.
Now this is the 80s
Smooth and sexy is how I would describe Sade. Her voice is incredible and pretty unique. Mot for everyone and some of the songs seem to similar. The First three songs are best, Smooth Operator, Your Love is King and Hang on to your love. Pretty sure if you're going to get laid, you're already into it by the 3rd song. If not, no loving for you. Special shout out to the remake of Warrant's Cherry Pie. Sounded entirely different than the original. Haha. My wife really liked some Sade back in the college days. I encouraged her to be a special guest on our album review. She declined, but she's still awesome! First 3 songs are 3-4. Rest is a lot of, yea, this is OK. 2.5 for me. Will score a 3 because I thought of college and my beautiful Mindy
Smooth Operator, what a banger! Loving her voice so much! It sounds exactly like my Finnish musician friend. I never knowingly listened to Sade other than hearing Smooth Operator of course. Now I'm really enjoying the sax and her voice and passion, amazing. Very relaxing and sophisticated. I'm not so hooked after Smooth Operator though I'm a bit bored zoning out. Overall it's creating a good vibe and feeling but not exactly capturing my imagination.
Apparently, I should start 2023 with an extensive 80s vibe. Nothing so much special about this one. Good vibes, the first song is nice and memorable, but nothing else is a particular highlight for me.
Bien, mais pas vraiment marquant.
One of the, if not the most recognizable smooth pop, soul, funk female voices! Sade has a beautiful warm, tender voice. She pens down great catchy hooks and has a solid band supporting her. Key tracks: Smooth Operator, Your Love Is King, Hang On To Your Love, When Am I Going To Make A Living, Cherry Pie, Why Can't We Live Together 7.5 out of 10
Enjoyable enough. Not amazing.
Nice not too crazy tho
There is no question that Sade has an amazing voice, it is just a pity that she is backed by what sounds like lift music. The arrangements on this album have really dated, which is a shame really
A nice voice and some great tracks, bit as an album i found it kinda up and down.
helt bra men de klicka int helt me mig
Omg…. Såååååååå chillllll
Kool
Its starts off really nice, but drops off a bit badly
Nudne, 2.5/5
It ess OK
A pleasant background album but nothing extremely memorable here for me Saved tracks: Smooth Operator, When Am I Going to Make a Living, I Will Be Your Friend
Not as polished as I remember, she sounds so young!
Muito legal, me lembrou música nacional boa. 7/10
80's smooth contemporary music. Classic voice.
first listen kinda sleepy, not the worst 80s record i've heard
Smooth
Solid
This was nice and relaxing. One of those albums where nothing really stuck with me but the spotify radio that came on after the end was pretty good.
Pretty decent, starts out strong
Soul. Un megahit. Se me ha hecho bola. Un 3.
Bah, normal. Agradable. Electro-R&Balternative R&Belectronica.
Sade was a good singer. I like the songs "Smooth Operator" and "Your love is king".
1001 Albums is part of my morning drivetime routine. Would have loved to listen to Sade after dark. Mood would have been more intimate. Still lovely to listen.
Meh
Hasn’t track 1 come up on the show multiple times?
The first half is great, but then it tapers off. Overall still good. 3.5/5
Ok… i dont know
Love Deluxe is better
Pretty good
Good hang monday, cold and bad at work, cha cha real smooth
Decent
gostei mas as músicas são muito parecidas
good but tiring eu daria 3,5/5 se desse pra fazer isso
I should like this more than I do. Too much of it sounds the same.
A bit too smooth for me. ; doesn't really stick either. Good background music. Sooth operator is quite catchy though
really nice. will be going back to a couple of songs on here for sure. something id like even more if i was in the mood for it
On one hand, I wonder if this is elevator music that I'm listening to. On the other, it sort of works on me [but what does that imply about me?]. I guess I've been conditioned to like Smooth Operator. P.S. Not the most, how shall I put it, modern album in terms of lyrics, is it?
Such a beautiful voice, such a great singer. It's impossible not to be hooked when she sings the line, "Coast to coast, LA to Chicago..." The other songs on the album are solid, but nothing too outstanding. 3 stars.
Close between a 2 and 3 for me. I liked it on the first listen but was a little boring coming back the second time, might just be nostalgia for me from high school. Compositions are not super interesting but I do love the horn work on this album. Her voice is very relaxing and nice, good music to work to. Favourite songs: Smooth Operator, Cherry Pie
Chill album with some classics, all in all not something I would generally listen to but enjoyable none the less
First time listening to this album. One of a kind voice. Favorite track is ‘When Am I Going To Make A Living’.
it wasn’t bad, it just didn’t really catch my eye.
Well the singles are the singles, there's no denying the production (gets a star) it's is as good as it gets, it worked as background while I did dishes and tidied up the living room, but didn't inspire me to do it quickly, by the end I was happy when Ozzy osbournes voice kicked in on my regular spotify stream. wouldnt listen again, but wouldnt change the station if it cam e on the radio, would prefer to wear headphones if it was playing in the supermarket
Very smooth and very dated, with way too much saxophone for me. Good vocals, but not a lot else worth revisiting. Torn between 2 or 3, I will err on the side of generosity!
Diamond Life is the debut album by the band Sade. This soul/pop album contains elements of jazz, and can be classified in the sophisti-pop genre. This is a highly acclaimed album, because it won the 1985 Brit Award for Best British Album, has been certified 4 times platinum in the UK & US, and was the best-selling debut album by a lead British female vocalist. Diamond Life is an easy-listening album - perfect for a casual cocktail-lounge environment - as the soulful and jazzy, but poppy and funky beats will appeal to most listeners. This was a well produced album and I'm happy to have listened to it. If it wasn't for this site, I would've never heard this album.
I like Sade - but this record is basically Smooth Operator - and a few more A side tracks but not much more. It tapers quite a bit towards the end and from something special it turns into an easy listening 80a album.
Chill and nice, but beyond that it's just ok for me.
An enjoyable listen, mainly due to a strong melodic presence and powerful vocals from Sade. Some tracks (mainly those that lean heavily on the auto-wah) do feel a bit outdated, but most are still engaging and fresh enough to warrant a relisten.
huh. i mean. sure? i liked some of the music but i'll be honest, i think i'm lacking some of the language required for talking about it. like it's objectively good but i think my reaction to it warrants 3 stars? idk. actually it gets 3 stars for when am i going to make a living jumpscaring me.
Funky, really like the basslines, and keeps my attention, smooth operator is catchy as
Heerlijk relaxte muziek. Het nummer Smooth Operator is wel de knaller van het album, maar de rest is goed aan te hebben op de achtergrond.
Today I learned that "Sade" was/is the name of the group, not just the singer. Huh. I kinda hated this when it came out - then again i was a young teenager injecting non-stop Van Halen and Def Leppard into my veins so I didn't allow for this smooth neo-soul to enter into my consciousness. My loss - this is pretty excellent - I appreciate and actually like it way more than I used to and it's wonderfully produced. Personal favourite: "Cherry Pie" - that little echo guitar fill is gold. 7/10 3+ stars
A pretty good album. I enjoyed the instrumentals and her voice. There wasn't a ton of substance to the songs, but I don't really think there needed to be. I really enjoyed it while I was listening, but now, a couple hours later, if you were to ask me my thoughts on it, I wouldn't really be able to come up with much that was memorable.
Production is really crisp "Smooth Operator" "Your Love Is King" are two nice album starters. I feel like there are a lot of nice songs on the album and only a few that stand out. I think that's kind of her thing though? Smooth and sultry R&B doesn't usually have big banger tracks. I do wish some of the tracks had more direction to them. Maybe a second half key change, a shift in major/minor tonality, or even instrument changes just to add some excitement.
So soft, so smooth
Was really enjoying the first three tracks and then it kind of fell off a cliff
3.3 - Relaxing, mellow soul with solid vocals.
Enjoyable, very smooth and listenable albeit nothing special
Another one I skipped because I wasn't in the mood. Doesn't sound nearly as 80s as I expected it to in 2022. maybe if i played it through my mum's kitchen radio then it would. It's a very nice sound - but it doesn't take long to fade into the background. samey. Frankies first affair was good. As was I will be your friend. Not very likely to come back to this often but it was good.
Solid album but it did not leave the biggest impression on me.
Soulful music, but not my favorite genre.
Honestly, I can't remember hearing any other songs by Sade between this album's Smooth Operator and their 1992 album's No Ordinary Love. But reading up on them, each album in that time (4 of them) plus their next one in 2000 were at least triple platinum. Wow. Maybe their sound was too steamy hot for radio? I still do not know jazz, or soul, so this album was just okay. I listened to it over and over, but I couldn't shake that it sounded like muzak with a very talented singer to boot. Admittedly, the lyrics are pretty good - it's not sex-based drivel but really complicated musings (listen closely to Smooth Operator, Frankie's First Affair, When Am I Going to Make a Living, and Sally). Put this on my list of potential future regrets but I couldn't get past 3.5.
(3/5) fue un buen álbum pero siento que ninguna canción es memorable, no hay nada que resalte ni que te haga recordarlo.
smooth. sleepy
Well done but not for me
Wish it was more compelling. Great voice, incredible bass lines. Not a whole lot more that grabbed me.
Smooth Operator is great, but the rest of the album doesn’t keep up.
Mä itseasiassa oon aina tykännyt tästä levystä vaikka tässä on nää siirappiset hetkensä. Mut onhan tää niin smoooooooooooth ettei tolkkuu. Todella kasari olematta sillai ihan liian huonolla tavalla kasari. Et esim jos tää levy olis turboahdettu huonoilla syntikoilla niin tää olis tosi raskas. Okei muutan mieleni: toi Timmy Thomas cover Why cant we live togetherista on niin hirvee että alennan pisteellä. 3/5
While I didn’t see much excitement with this album, I thought the vocal was unique and I enjoyed listening to this as an easy listening type album.
Para ser sincera, no esperaba mucho de este álbum, lo subestime mucho pero me lleve un gran sorpresa. Tiene una melodía que es simplemente buena a lo largo de todo el álbum
Not bad, but also not really my style of music.
Wasn't in love with it on the first listen, but I liked it more on the 2nd listen. I don't really have any touchpoint for this style of music. I enjoyed it, but probably not enough to revisit. 3.5/5
"Smooth Operator" is smooth indeed and the only song I know by her. Very catchy and a great voice. Not really my thing generally but enjoyable enough for sexy-time-soul. Bassline in "Hang On to Your Love" is sick.
Despite my appreciation for R&B/soul/jazz, I never totally got into Sade. Giving this a spin, I kind of see the appeal, but it’s not especially for me. I can get behind bits of quiet storm, but it’s just not a sound that I can spin for a full LP. I’ll give it credit for some solid jazzy interludes and killer vocals, but I don’t think I’ll ever fully get into them. Solid C
Smooth Operator was a hit when I was younger. I enjoyed listening to the whole album.
Diamond Life by Sade (1984) With prominent bass lines and soulful jazz/pop arrangements, lead vocalist Sade Adu delivers sensuous sound layered over rhythms that are easy on the ears. Her voice is not strong enough to dominate, but it’s disciplined enough to carry melodies with confidence. Lyrically unremarkable, Sade’s themes treat of the ups and downs of love, with enough standard advice to help keep the listener on the straight and narrow. Wholesome. Comfortable. Two tracks depart from this main theme: a closing cover of Timmy Thomas’ rather bland peace exhortation “Why Can’t We Live Together” and Sade Adu’s excellent “Sally”, a moving and redemptive paean which celebrates the heroics of a woman who rescues the down and out in the ugly underbelly of New York, vicariously “doing our dirty work”, loving the lost on behalf of the rest of us. Musically, Stuart Matthewman provides funky guitar and smooth saxophone, but the bass playing by Paul Denman stands out, occasionally expanding scales and intervals enough to provide countermelodies that complement and amplify without distraction. This album is an easy listen, and it won’t start a revolution or transform your self image, but it’s suitable background for getting your stuff done. No excuses. 3/5
Smooooooooth operator
Prefs: Smooth Operator, Frankie's First Affair, When Am I Going To Make A Living Moins pref: I Will Be Your Friend
When this album originally hit the airwaves I was so narrowly focused on rock, some mainstream, some not, but especially trying to avoid anything that wasn't rock on the radio. I have since expanded my musical palate and can appreciate this genre of smooth jazz that has a time and place. I always think of smooth jazz as a "pop"-gateway towards "real" jazz that introduces the masses to how potentially commercial this music can be. For me Sade was my introduction to smooth jazz and listening now I can't say I don't like it. Again, it has a time and place and if you want to create a mood of romance and serenity, Diamond Life is definitely your record. Oh, and Valentines is coming up so cue up your Sade albums. Smooth operator, indeed.
Very pleasant. Never heard the whole album
I like many of the tracks, but it's the nostalgia thing again - my parents frequently played this album. Good tunes, but overall felt dated, 80s bossa nova lounge kinda dated.
Cool lounge album from the 80s.
SMOOOOOOTH OPERATOR!!!! #CS55 Also enjoyed 'Cherry Pie' but that was pretty much it
Enjoyed it but probably not something I would listen to again
Almost as smooth as me
Bueno
Relaxing
In fact, despite being a not-so-special album(for a MUST LISTEN 1001), it's an album I enjoy listening to. Probably because of my love for the saxophone sound and her voice. (6/10) FT: Smooth Operator, Your Love is King , Sally
Leuk ni echt mijn ding, beetje flauw
This is probably the most dated thing I’ve heard on here. In a good way. It makes me want to meet glamorous women in hotel bars and drink cocktails. Her voice is surprisingly rough though, I assumed it would be silky smooth, but she strains when she extends her range. Oddly felt like a Karaoke version of Steely Dan.
Rating: 6.5/10 Some very good funky songs on this album.
6/10
Possessed of a stunning voice, Sade sounds crystal clear and note perfect: and maybe that’s the problem. A little less polish, a little more grit and maybe these tracks would sound a more vivid; overall, then, a disappointment, notwithstanding that the opening two tracks are quality pop singles.
Riktig stämningshöjare! Bra, homogent sound på hela skivan. Väldigt lounge-jazzigt och lekfullt generellt. Smooth Operator och Why Can't We Live Together var bäst. Sammantaget ett riktigt härligt bakgrundsalbum med rejäl 80-talsvibe.
Not unlike the operator in the opening track this album is impossibly smoooooth. The best tacks are the afore mentioned Smooth Operator and the closing track Why Can't We Live Together. These two tracks book end a syrupy smooth collection that is perfect dinner party music. Ultimately a little too polished to get to 4 for me. 3.5 stars
Slick well-crafted pop. 6/10
Liked this! Very easy to listen to
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I went in with no expectations and no knowledge and I found myself really digging it. Admittedly I am a sucker for brass instruments so that helps. If I could go 3.5 I would.
Still amazes me that "your love is king" has more plays than "Smooth Operator" on this album on spotify. Rest of the album was okay, but I wouldn't go out of my way to listen again. 3.5/5 but rating it a 3 as I definitely don't think it's 4 material.
I saw the cover, and thought "Ah, an artist and album I've never heard anything about, here we go" and then I saw 'Your love is King' and thought "Oh yeah I can get onboard with this". And indeed, I can very much get very onboard with this. Go Sade. Really wanted to turn it off halfway through though. Hitting it with a 3 as it's all a bit too samey for me but really enjoying the smoothness of this.
Pretty good
Soul. Un megahit. Se me ha hecho bola.
Is ok
I like it a lot more than I expected to. Sade's voice is fierce and sexy!
80s, sultry, a little hard to take seriously personally
Very smooth indeed and enjoyable. The sac was in trend back then and it shows, but here it’s used in a nice not so much overused way
Knew of smooth operator but never knew the artist. Pretty good album. A few songs were repetitive and slow but it evened out with the first two that were substantially better. It’s a good album that’s a easy listening r&b. 6.0/10
I sit in the global coffeehouse, second hand smoke atop first. Frasier Crane sends me a drink. I resolve to later memorialise him as a neon statue.
Ajoittain tempaisi tunnelmaan. Ei ihan paska vaikkei soittolistoille tule nousemaan.
Ehjä levykokonaisuus. Ykkösraita toki loppuunsoitettu, mut kyllä sen tässä yhteydessä kuunteli ja loppulevy oli vähintäänkin miellyttävä
Me gustó mucho más de lo que esperaba. Conocía Smooth Operator pero nada más de ella y la fue muy agradable escucharlo. Muy meloso pero sin llegar a cansar, puedo volver a escucharlo aunque seguramente no se volverá mi género favorito. 3.5 estrellas que bajan a 3 porque aunque agradable, tampoco me parece revolucionario ni sobresaliente. Songs: When Am I Going to Make a Living, Hang On to Your Love, Smooth Operator
3 1/2
Je tiens a saluer le travail effectué par Robert depuis que mon camarade d'ecoute robpeucher l'a alerté sur la baisse de qualité des albums du generateur. En effet, nous sommes gâtés ces derniers jours, même si je me doute bien que dès l'instant ou je presserai la troisième étoile, afin d'attribuer à cet album une très belle note de 3/5 (le système de notation n'ayant toujours pas changé, une étoile égalant 1/5, deux étoiles 2/5 etc etc), un nouvel album de rock completement oubliable fera son apparition.
Fantastic voice. But really, apart from the singles, the album was a bit samey
Bah, normal. Agradable. Electro-R&Balternative R&Belectronica. Un 3
I liked the way that she told stories with her lyrics in Sally, Cherry pie, When am I going to make a living, etc. Kind of a sexual album
Smooth operator un folded a mini memory tucked away in my brain. Pretty cool
People do be having sex
Musical equivalent of wallpaper.
fine
Non offensive background music. Is this what easy listening is?
Diamond Life's music is silky smooth and enjoyable to the point that I was pretty frequently bummed when the songs faded out in the middle of the group's musicians picking up business. Sade's a talented vocalist, but on top of the lyrics being pretty generic love song fodder (though a few thematic diversions keep it from being as exhausting as Let Love Rule), I'm just not that into her voice on a lot of these tracks. If you threw someone like Chrissy Hynde on here, though, it'd be the sexiest shit on Earth. Key Tracks: Smooth Operator, Hang On to Your Love, When Am I Going to Make a Living
3/5
Just okay. Pretty run of the mill 80s rnb pop. Smooth operator is obviously a classic. Nothing really bad but not much really caught my attention either aside from maybe Cherry Pie. Wouldn’t turn it off if it was on, but wouldn’t be the one to put it on.
I like it but nearly every song sounds the same.
Get the cultural importance, but not my cup of tea
Fine, a bit samey and borin
If I was scoring a movie in the 80's and there was a sex scene, I'd definitely try to license a track or two off this album. Also, Smooooooth operator.
I recognize that this is good music, but it's just not my bag. It's not bad ('cept for that 'why can't we live together' song, Jesus tits that's bad), I don't mind listening to it so much, but wouldn't go out of my way to do so.
-Smooth Operator was nice -Hang on to your Love is catchy -I like the baseline in Cherry Pie Perfectly fine, just not my style
Decent album of smooth jazz. A few strong tracks, led by 'Smooth Operator.' Glad I listened to it, but would not put it into regular rotation.
Pretty good album, solid songs.
got some good songs in the middle
Enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. Nice and funky!
The music is very well played/sung and very well-produced. But it's slick and inoffensive to the point where there's nothing interesting about it. I can't really see this as anything else than background music.
A nice chilled listen!
Okay listening.
Enjoyed this a lot. Only listened once so not completely sure of this rating, but comfortable with a strong 3 Saved: Smooth Operator
pretty cool - love R&B - i guess this is that?
Nice, simple, unoffensive. Miss Sade has a nice voice to carry away with the music, but nothing ever feels like it sticks with me for more than a few seconds after. Sometimes it picks up and gets a little funky like Cherry Pie, but for the most part I'm just sorta vibing to the tunes.
Exceeded expectations
This album was pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of this genre of pop but I thought the vocals were incredible (obvi) and it was super fun to listen to.
Yesterday I worked on Penthouse coordination items. Setting details to penetration and realigning keynotes on our demo sheets. Sade was a nice group to listen to and I am always motivated by Jazz tunes. I looked up some of there videos on Youtube and they also have some captivating performances.
R&B soft rock. meh. She has a cool unique vocal sound tho. good bass parts.
good vocals - someone will like it - not for me
Just not my style :)
I liked "Sally". I like listening to Sade's music, but the album was aight.
Está dos trenzas pero el disco entero igual si enfada
Nice
nice, but a touch too loungy for my taste : 2.5
Smooth Operator
enjoyable album!
Smooth 80s sax/synth vibes
Not bad but I like more of her other work than this. Except Smooth Operator is pretty tops. Definitely would play this again though, but only during “sexy time”.
Lo tuve que escuchar varias veces porque no estaba seguro si era un cuatro o un cinco, y luego lo escuché tanto que ya no sabía si era un tres o un cuatro.
Pretty good. Decent baselines.
Very all over the place, 4 parts that let each instrument shine Devided into the ear speakers with clear distinction where each instrument would be in the room, which can be tiresome after a while when one instrument is just having a solo If you like jazz it's probably definitely for you