Album review: 'Soldier of Love' by Sade

The refined vocalist takes a more aggressive approach than usual.

First, a moratorium: no more mentions of Sade and products for the bath in the same paragraph. The impossibly refined vocalist Sade Adu and her faithful band reinvented singer-songwriterly soul in the 1980s, and its sparse output since then still sets the standard for the field.

If Sade were, say, Nick Drake or Bill Withers or Elliott Smith -- male singer-songwriters with a similar gift for expressing introspection, and for honoring the sotto voce side of musical dynamics -- her work would not constantly be compared to Lavender-Verbena Mineral Soak.

Perhaps disgust with being branded as terminally relaxing inspired the title track of Sade's latest studio release. Its moody martial beat and (subtly!) aggressive vocals bespeak Grace Jones more than Norah. "Soldier of Love" is unique in its confrontational tone, but it connects to the other best tracks on this album, which employ minimalism and the rules of cool to carefully reconstruct various musical styles.

"Be That Easy" lopes along using the cowboy-song beat that the Jones most indebted to Sade so often uses, yet its bleak lyric lends a very different color to the theme of the wandering heart. "In Another Time" offers the most delicate spin possible on gospel music, reworking the dynamics of call and response until they're as subtle as a tap on the shoulder.

"Bring Me Home" reconsiders trip hop by making a connection to Arabic music. On more familiar ground, "Babyfather" works Sade's style of gently skanking reggae, with a sweetly told story of a child's journey from twinkle in the eye to beloved reality.

All of these songs work not only because of Sade's perfect phrasing but because the band (permanent members Stuart Matthewman on guitar, sax and programming, the keyboardist Andrew Hale and the bassist Paul S. Denman, augmented by half a dozen trusted friends) is expert at getting the most from the limited gesture.

"Babyfather" is one of only a few hopeful lyrics on "Soldier of Love" -- another good reason not to lounge in the tub while listening to Sade is that you might be tempted to slit your wrists. The mix of musical restraint, and sad, sad words sometimes creates a static feeling: There's just no hook in a meditation like "Morning Bird," and it somehow becomes forgettable. But those moments are infrequent on this release, which will surely be treasured by Sade's many fans, if dismissed by those who can only see her and the band's indigo-colored surfaces.

--Ann Powers

Sade
"Soldier of Love"
Epic
3.5 stars (out of four)

Comments

[Tom O]

Love SADE. Glad she is back. Thank you, Ann.

[Mark]

Count me amongst Sade's "many fans". Taking a cue from Maxwell, Sade comes back strong. I look forward to enjoying it.

[dan w.]

I usually enjoy Powers' writing but the whole bath thing seems unworthy of her. Other than that, glad Sade's back.

[Sam Taylor]

I am so excited about this album. Sade is one of the few artists that I will buy the album vs. a selected song here and there.

P.S. this review was horribly written

[Merrian Brooks]

I disagree that the title track Solider of Love is some kind of rebellion. Anyone who knows the Stuart Matthewman and Andrew Hale combo is VERY familiar these fierce bassy sounds. Its a strong sound because its a strong song. I'm no expert of the sotto voce or indigo colored themes but I know Sade very well and this album to me (got to listen to it a few days early) is a contemporary but classic Sade band production. Thats what they have done over their span as a group. They have updated their music, adding a freshness that reflects growth. Yet they are still classic Sade. The Sade that has always been just as down to earth as it is sexy, just as thoughtful as it is emotional. They have always made emotional music that spanned the breadth of feelings from sadness to hopefulness to pure true love. This album like the others, expresses disappointment in love, hope in love, family love, strength in love. On her website she talks about making the album and she says she doesn't have a plan when she makes these she (and all the members of SADE which is not a person but a group) just makes sure they are made with love. Sade fans of course will love this ... its been a decade we are desperate! But EVERYONE who is a fan of genuine smokey soul music that gets to what you have probably felt sometime in your life about one relationship or the other, will love this album. The lyrics are fresh, the vocals smooth. I do agree that the musicians of the group are masters at making the music layered and complex without going over-board, and that there is a definite feeling to the album that is very well tied together. I have listened to it straight through so easily twice now. My only complaint is that, like the others there isn't enough! 10 songs!!!! come on Sade :)

Who says that expressions of sadness can't be relaxing? She has always at least one or two songs that were not 'hopeful' in their lyrics. I find the album to be very relaxing and very easy to listen to as if they were favorites on first or second listen. Listen to it straight through when you buy it and see what I mean.

[La'el]

I had never heard of Sade before, but I"ll definitely be checking out this album when it comes out!

[Cameron]

Have you ever listened to Sade before? This is a terrible review with no regard for Sade's previous career, nor mention of the fact that she hasn't recorded an album in ages, good job LA Times!!!

[livey]

What ever happened to all the good writers LA Times used to have??? Poorly written review. Don't understand the comparison to soap but obviously the person who wrote piece was not into music back in the 80's when Sade put out some great music and continues to do so with this new release. So happy you are back Sade!

[Malorie]

Big Sade fan, her album is one I would buy without even hearing it first. She has a soothing raspiness in her voice and if you have seen her live you get a visual , she is effortless the saying less is more is true for Sade.

[kbelov]

I was with you until 'Morning Bird' ..one of the most powerful songs on the record....

[Tony Barkley]

I'm sorry, but i just don't get his album. I didn't understand Lover's Rock either. Sade has always made songs that were somewhat morose, but they were always funky. Where is the funk? It's as if she's obsessed with sadness. Where are the songs like Maureen, or Nothing Can Come Between Us? I understand that artists grow, but i just don't know what this band is "growing" into.

[Yono Toko]

This is probably the most disrespectful album review ever done for a beloved musician. It's as if this person had never heard of Sade and Wikied her before writing this review. It is immature and shallow, you'd think the L.A. Times would hire someone with a little more knowlege...budgets must be tight these days.

[mattx]

I can't wait for this album, have been wanting it for years. And yes...very poor review. Get it together.

[Mathew Cherian]

Sade's music has always been stylish, and her newest album Soldier Of Fortune is "stylish sofistication crystallized in the heart of a rose"...............for me its been a long time since i have enjoyed any album in its entirety as i have this one, Every track a masterpiece, and there is a flow and sway - sometimes brooding and sad but always mature and appropriate in verbage and tone.

Sade has grown into a extremely mature artist, and she is sure to find a place in the 2011 Grammy awards, probably album of the year!

[Marlene]

I just have to chime in with the chorus. I expected more from Ann. I remember she did this whole analysis of Adam Lambert's music. Adam Lambert! I wanted to know more about the genesis of the album after 10 years. I'm a fan of Sade, I remember her music growing up, but I had to go elsewhere for for info on Sade, some other blog.

[Lynn]

Horrible review. Don't buy the hate in the review. The album is beautiful to listen to.

[FAT FREDDIE T]

BY FAR THIS IS NOT HER BEST WORK BUT SHE IS FAR AHEAD OF THE CRUVE. I LIKE THE NEW SOUND OF THIS ALBUM BUT I ADMIT THAT MY EXPECTATIONS WERE TO HIGH AND IM SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED. I AM SOMEWHAT SPOILED BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT SHE HAS EVER MADE HAS BEEN TO GREAT A CHORE TO CHOOSE A FAVORITE SONG. AFTER GIVING THIS ALBUM A LISTEN I HAD TO PUT MY GREATEST HITS OF SADE ALBUM BACK IN THE CD CHANGER WHERE IT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST 5 YERAS. ITS LIKE MY AMERICAN EXPRESS, I NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.

[Jay L]

Oh, gee, I don't find Morning Bird "forgettable." I think one simply needs to listen to it more to see what it's doing. "I will not run" is the hook you may be looking for.

[Vanessa]

I've played "Morning Bird" in my car at least 20 times since buying the CD a few days ago. It has to be one of the most powerful Sade songs I've heard, and I'm talking her whole collection. Stunning that someone would find it "forgettable" -- but hey, you're a critic for a reason. When Sade sings of the "ghost of my joy," I can't help but be transported to another place... the narrative possibilities are endless in those few words.

[Olenka Alexandra Gadzik]

I agree with Tony Barkley, Sade's rhythms and arrangements were much more syncopated in her earlier work. There was a complex charm that created a spacious funk somewhere suspended in the empty center of the syncopated whirl of bass and perfectly placed and mixed percussion. Listening to it was an experience of contantly shifting magic, deserving of the timelessness of her work. And there were jazz chords. Soldier of Love seems simpler, rushed in it's arrangement, often using a two chord structure as if she has been influenced by some bad examples. One prop however: the bass is mixed beautifully.

[Ed]

Among my favorite songs in the album is "Skin." It is not only soothing to listen to--but also cathartic. Just imagine what wonders it can do just by listening to the song while taking a relaxing warm shower or soaking in the bath. My other favorites are "Be That Easy" and "In Another Time."