Missing for eight years, Sade finally re-surfaced last month with fifth studio album 'Lovers Rock'. The US welcomed her with open arms, her album peaking at a massive Number Three on the Billboard charts. In the UK meanwhile, the sultry diva received the good old British cold shoulder and currently sits at a measly 36.
If we can't cherish our own talent then that's our sorry look out. But then, Sade must be used to it by now. For by the time she dropped from view in 1992, her smoky jazz tones were selling consistently better in the States than in the Nigerian-born singer's adopted homeland. Both last album 'Love Deluxe' and 1988's 'Stronger Than Pride' made it to Number Ten in the UK, while notching up Number Three positions in the US. To this day Sade's only chart-topping UK album is her second, 1985's 'Promise'.
So it remains to be seen how Sade's remastered, reissued back catalogue will do. She may have sold over forty million albums worldwide and this year Glamma Kid and Shola Ama may have notched up a UK hit with a cover of her 'The Sweetest Taboo' but that don't cut no ice with the British record buying public. No sirree!
If the truth be known, Helen Folsade Adu's output hasn't waned in quality since she emerged with her 'Diamond Life' (4/5) album in 1984. A collection of jazzy, smooth, sophisticated, ersatz soul, it slotted in nicely with the cool, jazzy likes of Everything But The Girl, Matt Bianco and The Style Council.
The same excitement that greeted sax-powered songs such as 'Smooth Operator', 'Your Love Is King' and a fine cover of the Timmy Thomas classic 'Why Can't We Live Together' was lavished upon 1985's 'Promise' (5/5) a smoother -if that were possible- affair than its predecessor it was nonetheless melancholy and heartfelt, boasting such gorgeous tunes as 'Is It A Crime', 'The Sweetest Taboo' and 'War Of The Hearts'. But perhaps that's where the rot set in.
Perhaps it was people's averse reaction to coffee table music, to the Yuppie-style wine bar vibery often associated with Sade's music but third album 'Stronger Than Pride' (3/5) released in 1988 only made it to the UK Number Ten, despite featuring the throbbing bass-driven delights of 'Paradise' and the dreamy 'Nothing Can Come Between Us'. Maybe, if truth were told, the songwriting was not so strong and assured. Even if the late-night loveliness of the distinct Sade vocal was still intact -despite the fact that on some tracks she was being bolstered by Leroy Osbourne.
Which could explain why there was a four year gap before 1992's 'Love Deluxe' (4/5) appeared. A return to form, it boasted the dreamy sensuous gem 'No Ordinary Love', the sweet sigh of 'I Couldn't Love You More', the Spanish guitar touches of 'Like A Tattoo' and the sombre strings and moving lyric of the truly beautiful 'Pearls'.
Aside from 'The Best Of Sade' compilation, which notched up a UK Number Six placing in 1994, nowt was heard from the woman with the stunning plaintive tones until this year and her low-key yet triumphant US return with 'Lovers Rock'. She's done few if any interviews and rumours about her eight year absence abound.
She's had her ups and downs in relationships and personal troubles throughout the years. And who are we to probe, however sordidly fascinating it may be. Truth is Sade has made consistently beautiful and heartfelt records over the years whether she's been in vogue or not. And if we've failed to make the most of her then that's not her bloomin' fault. As someone once so wisely remarked there's no accounting for taste.
