Sade - The Best of Sade

By the time this was released in 1994, something unexpected happened. Sade's early work became classic and the later additions boasted even better vocals and songs that nicely improved on the theme. The timeless sound and class always exhibited makes Sade Adu and her band a no-brainer for an appealing compilation. Like Al Green's Greatest Hits, The Best of Sade doesn't detract from the original albums and is a marker of time, not the end of the act. The ice-princess demeanor and detached vocals worked perfectly for the mid-'80s singles and radio samples "Smooth Operator" and "Your Love Is King." The tracks from the make-or-break second album, Promise, seem less dolorous propped up and sequenced for a compilation. The sensual-to-a-fault "The Sweetest Taboo" and "Never As Good As the First Time" both retain their strength here. The songs from Stronger Than Pride -- "Love Is Stronger Than Pride," "Nothing Can Come Between Us," and the great "Paradise" -- all benefit from Ian Cooper's mastering job. This set also includes tracks from Sade's "comeback" CD, Love Deluxe, including "Kiss of Life" and "No Ordinary Love." As a bonus, The Best of Sade also includes a rare cover of "Please Send Me Someone to Love" from the Philadelphia soundtrack. Despite its riches, The Best of Sade doesn't include all of the best, since "Maureen" and or "Keep Looking" aren't here. It's a small complaint and The Best of Sade is a great overview. ~ Jason Elias, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adrian Moore Assistant Engineer Alain Lubrano Assistant Engineer Albert Watson Photography Andrew Hale Keyboards Ben Rogan Producer, Engineer Dave Early Percussion, Drums Frank Segarra Assistant Engineer Gavyn Wright Orchestra Leader, ? Gordon Hunte Guitar Gordon Matthewman Trumpet Hein Hoven Mixing, Producer Ian Cooper Mastering Jake Jacas Vocals Jean Christophe Vareille Assistant Engineer Karl Van Den Bossche Percussion Leroy Osbourne Vocals Marc Williams Assistant Engineer Martin Ditcham Percussion, Drums Melanie West Assistant Engineer Mike Pela Production Engineer, Producer, Engineer Nick Ingman Arranger, String Arrangements Olivier de Bosson Assistant Engineer Paul Cooke Drums Paul S. Denman Bass Pete Beachill Trombone Peter Brown Assistant Engineer Phil Legg Assistant Engineer Robin Millar Producer Sade Arranger, Producer Sade Adu Arranger, Vocals, Producer Sandro Franchin Assistant Engineer Stuart Matthewman Saxophone, Guitar Terry Bailey Trumpet Tom Coyne Remastering Tony Pleeth Soloist, Cello Trevor Murrell Drums Vince McCartney Assistant Engineer