I didn't need to buy this CD because I already have all four of Sade's releases, but a friend left this laying around the house, so I gave it a listen. This is a greatest hits compilation that lives up to its billing. Usually, on this type of collection, the listener gets maybe 4 or 5 truly great hits and some filler. Such is not the case here because all 16 tracks are fabulous. The only songs that are missing are "Maureen" and "I Couldn't Love You More," but I suppose there had to be some cut-off point.

Sade is one of my all time favorite artists because she is just so smooth and mellow. Her songs may be a little tortured, but that delivery is always flawless. And the inclusion of some of her uptempo cuts should silence critics who claim that she is monotonous. My top picks are "Is it a Crime" "Jezebel" "No Ordinary Love" and "The Sweetest Taboo."

sade is truly amazing. possessing the captivating beauty of iman and naomi, more recluse than the artist formerly known as prince and exhibiting musical skills that unite roberta flack and astrud gilberto, sade is a legend in her own time, though we know nothing about her. the mystery that shrouds sade is reflected in the sixteen tracks selected as her best. present are her more popular songs like "smooth operator", "the sweetest taboo" and "no ordinary love", but it would seem that it is not lost on sade that some of her "best" work never saw the light of day, so to speak. true fans of the diva are privy to the sheer beauty of "jezebel", a third-person narrative about inner strength and beauty of a very uncommon streetwalker. similarly, "is it a crime", a jazz-infused song about the longing of a love that is over, but not yet dead, has attained cult status among sade's loyal supporters. the beauty of sade, the group, goes well beyond their front-woman's silky, soaring vocals and the band's undeniable skill. rather, like the spanish group mecano, what keeps fans waiting anxiously for the next release from the less-than-prolific sade is the lyrical depth of the material. ironically, the same thing that has prevented sade from achieving the cursory pop icon status of such stars as madonna and whitney is the same thing that has ensured that her records will always sell rapidly and consistently to fans who yearn for music that dips deep beneath the surface. if you can't be bothered to buy each of sade's albums...well, shame on you...buy this album. if you own all of sade's album...as well you should...buy this one anyway for easy-access to her best work (thus far).

MAN!! When I first started listening to Sade a while back, some friends warned me not to listen to her in the wrong mood, as her songs such as "Jezebel", "Is It A Crime", "No Ordinary Love", and "Pearls" will have you sitting in a dark room with a loaded gun(jokingly). I was somewhat skeptical at first, thinking this songstress would be crooning about the horrors of love. WAS I EVER WRONG!!! Well, they were wrong more, but that's another story. One of my top 5 songs of all time will allways be "Sweetest Taboo". This CD captures all of her famous sound with her trademark voice (personally, this collection would be complete if it had "Keep Looking" from her "Love Is Stronger Than Pride" CD and "I Couldn't Love You More" from her "Love Deluxe" CD, but that's like wanting to take back a Mercedes-Benz because it had a scratch on the bumper). She may not have the vocal range of a Teena Marie, but I still consider her to be one of the best female artists the 80's and 90's have ever seen. Combine her vocal talents with the pure talent of her musical accompanyment, and this becomes a must have. Get this CD if you're looking for a lot of replay value.

It seems that half the people either know Sade and enjoy her work or have never heard of her. 'the best of sade' gives a good balance to her work with songs that reflect her style of music. Whether with your loved one, or enjoying a great dinner, kicking back on the couch with your favourite beverage and you'll feel transported to nirvana. Perhaps only performing once every seven or eight years doesn't help make her a household name ... if you get a chance to see her live don't miss out. I've seen her perform three times - the last was row 2 with my girlfriend then (now my wife) was worth every penny. Thank you Sade! Just remember 'every day is Sade'

Even though I have all of Sade's CDs, I still found it necessary to get all of her hits on one CD. Sade defined the sound of mixing r&b and "smooth" jazz together. Through the classic "Your Love Is King" all the way to "Cherish the Day", Sade has worked on this sound. Some people are even following in their footsteps today. The only thing is that there will never be another Sade. Hits like "The Sweetest Taboo", "Hang On To Your Love", "Smooth Operator", "No Ordinary Love","Like A Tattoo", etc. could never be duplicated. What I like about Sade is that no matter how many groups after them tried to do something similar as far as the music or the words are concerned, Sade always had a distinctive sound. When you heard a new Sade song on the radio, you knew it was Sade. This is one of the best greatest hits collections that I own.