I was never a big fan of Sade until her newest release LOVERS ROCK came out, took me ashore and then blew me away. I was never one to listen to anything associated with R&B either until Sade opened my doors into the world of neo-soul which just threw me for a loop. It's kind of like R&B except that it's more meaningful and mature. And while many might say that Sade has a voice that is thin and weak I would really like to differ. Her voice is low-key (I'm not gonna lie) but it's deeply sensuous and soultry with a smoky richness that is absolutely stunning. Her musical styling is also very interesting for it consists of smooth jazz (thanks in part to saxaphones and trumpets) with neo-soul (The Sweetest Taboo, No Ordinary Love) and urban beats (Never As Good As The First Time, Cherish The Day) that often sound like the perfect soundtrack for an island party (aka, Smooth Operator, Paradise). There are also some powerful ballads here like Jezebel and the haunting Pearls which often push me back into my chair as to melt into the melody.

This is an amazing album and it deserves a spot in everyone's collection.

This is highly recommended.

People my age, 17, tend to look at me unusually when I tell them that I love Sade, that is because they have no idea who I'm talking about. That to me in itself is quite sad, because I have never heard such raw emotion and beautiful simplicity emerge from music. Not to mention the most beautiful vocals by Sade herself, and the excellent music itself by the musicians of Sade.

I began my Sade adventure when I was really bored one day and I began to pull out my Dad's old records, to find two. They were the albums 'Diamond Life' and 'Promise', the first two albums released. I wanted to take these with me in my discman, though not possible, so I went out to find their 'best of' CD, so I could get a feel for all of Sade's music.

Off those two albums, I immediately found my most favourite tracks. From Diamond Life 'Your love is king' (really nice sax here), 'Hang on to your love' (very nice bass and lyrics very true to life), and of course what I think is my most favourite song of all time, and I'm sure many others feel the same 'Smooth Operator'. It's amazing how their songs are timeless...smooth, lush and soulful.

From Promise 'Jezabel' (really touching lyrics), 'The Sweetest Taboo' (honestly, listen to the lyrics...I wish! fabulously upbeat and positive), 'Is it a crime' (Can we relate people?!), and 'never as good as the first time' (nice harmonies here with great percussion). I'm glad to say as well how from all of these tracks that I've mentioned, how the lyrics people can relate to. This is what with the musicality and rythms created by the musicians creates the evoking of different emotions spoken of earlier. I feel that that is what makes music, you like it because you feel for it, you're able to delve into it's layers, which is why I like Sade's music so much.

The CD continiues taking the best songs from their following albums. From the album Stronger Than Pride, the title track 'Love is stronger than pride' is very calming and downtempo, with many layers of instrumental influences, giving it a very exotic feel with Sade's harmonic vocals acting as a cool flow, like a breez of sweet vocals on the wind. Gorgeous!

From Love Delux, who can ever pass by 'No Ordinary Love'? Very deep, hitting the soul very low, with a sultry overtone. An amazing song, puts me off guard. It's tracks like these that show how well Sade evolved together and can atill create the most amazing music today, just like with their album 'Lovers Rock'. But that in itself is another story.

It's an album I think that is great for all new-earers to Sade, to get a feel for all their albums, and the wonderful music they produced. For those old fans, why not get it to just have it, and have the best tracks on one CD. An amazing group, with amazing musicality and harmonies with lyrics that touch your soul.

If you, suprisingly enough, have no Sade in your album collection, then this best-of compilation could be a perfect start:

*Best Of Sade as a COMPILATION (4/5):

* Best Of Sade as the MUSIC (5/5):

* The Best Of Sade as a RE-MASTERED VERSION (5/5):

All in all, The Best Of Sade is a great purchase for those interested in finding out more about Sade's music and need something to start from. The Fans, who own Sade's album catalogue need this for 'Please give me someone to love' and for the different versions of some of the tracks.

Enjoy!

Until I came across this CD I didnt even know that Sade had a best of album, but I'm not surprised, seeing as how she's had hit's for over twenty years now. I love this album so much, it does three things for me. It put's me in the mood, It makes me slow down in whatever I'm doing, and it's what I listen to when I would want to go to sleep. Because the girl can sing but it's so soft I cant help but just sleep, and it relaxes me so much. The best songs are: Smooth opperater Sweetest Taboo, Is it a crime, Paradise, No ordinary love, and Kiss of life

A world of shady international playboys who break women's hearts for sport (Smooth Operator). Of ambitious starletts who barter their innocence for a shot at fame (Jezebel). Of interracial romance (purportedly, The Sweetest Taboo). Above all, it's a world of love that spins to a silky smooth soundtrack of European jazz fused with urban soul. Love with its ecstasies (Your Love Is King, Paradise), heartbreak (Is It A Crime), and ironies (Never As Good As The First Time). Her songs are filled with tension between joy and sadness, romance and heartache. They are populated by real people with their suffering and redemption: the Somalian famine victim who lives only to feed her child (Pearls, her most powerful moment on record), the war veteran facing a tidal wave of post-traumatic memories (Like A Tattoo). She may be the queen of romance, but her world is far from romanticized. This is the stuff of real love and real life - good, bad, beautiful, and ugly - delivered from ground zero in a compassionate voice ...This is classy, literate, and intelligent soul, the standard by which the rest of soul music should be judged.