Sade – Soldier Of Love
Just when they start to get this overpopulation thing under control in most of the world, along comes a new Sade album and sets back the cause for decades. Speaking of ten-year time frames, it’s been that long since her last album Lovers Rock and with the new work Soldier Of Love, expectations have been sky high.
In answer, Sade (Helen Folasade Adu) wisely takes the template from her previous works and expands upon the formula. Music blending a plethora of individual genres into one has made large inroads in the commercial sphere and here she has incorporated a number of embellishments that give the album a worldlier feel. The sultry is still there but it isn’t the only emotion.
Far from drowning out that voice with unnecessary instrumentation, the song’s arrangements are pleasantly sparse and one of the world’s most recognizable vocalists is still in top form. The nuance and quality of timbre in her voice still takes your breath away.
Great music will always illicit a strong emotional response and with Soldier Of Love those emotions can still get the best of you, so just remember to keep the curtains drawn. Rob Hudson www.sade.com
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