Product Description

Examining the career of former model/fashion design studentHelen Folasade Adu, it's apparent that the span between studio albums increased exponentially. Eight years after LOVE DELUXE, the original members of Sade's band regrouped and here recapture the magic of the former ensemble. The vocals on LOVERS ROCK are unmistakably sensual and enchanting. Guitarist Stuart Matthewman steers clear of the crunchy electric sound that was his signature on LOVE DELUXE, the one exceptionbeing "Somebody Already Broke My Heart", which has some tasty understated percussive palm muting in the choruses.
From an instrumental perspective, LOVERS ROCK leans a bit moreto the electronic side, but technology doesn't dampen the atmosphere and simple beauty of the music. Not surprisingly, the focus continues to be the sweet, often mournful melodiesof a unique pop vocalist.

Track Listing

1. By Your Side
2. Flow
3. King Of Sorrow
4. Somebody Already Broke My Heart
5. All About Our Love
6. Slave Song
7. The Sweetest Gift
8. Every Word
9. Immigrant
10. Lovers Rock
11. It's Only Love That Gets You Through

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6487 in Music
• Released on: 2000-11-13
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
In the 1980s, Sade's brand of elegant pop/R&B owned the charts, making the Nigerian/British chanteuse one of those artists whose very name became the adjective to describe their sound. After an eight-year layoff, Sade and her core band (and long-time producer Mike Pela), are back with an album that is both a stunning reaffirmation of her artistry and a solid soulful collection. Perhaps the best thing that can be said about Lover's Rock is that it picks up where Sade left off, meaning that you will hear no cool beats or hot hired hands or hip-hop cameos. This is Sade music: on the first single, "By Your Side", she glides back into the spotlight on gentle, country-ish and sparse wings, singing, once again, about love's power to redeem. Of course Sade also knows that love can stink: listen to the dub riddim-tinged "Every Word" and cry tears of recognition. Decidedly female but utterly universal, grown up yet not hardened, Lover's Rock ranks as one of the best of the year, and the return of a true original. --Amy Linden

Customer Reviews

Still Great
This is one of those CDs that keep getting played. 7 years on and it gets so much air time in my house that even the kids know all the lyrics. Whenever you are flicking through your CD collection, or your iTunes playlists for something to listen to it is difficult to go past this. EVERYONE should have a copy.

Still Clinging On
Sade has to have one of the most original voices to date she was a world-wide success in the 80's
Then she disapeared forn 8 years and returned with the most sensual,emotion album of her career (In My Opinion)I am only saying this because i heard this album b4 the rest this & Love Deluxe are my favourite Sade albums this is by far the best

1.By Your Side/1st single was a worldwide smash its still fresh 4 years later its a sweet song perfect for weddings 10/10

2.Flow/This song has a mixture of a reggae & acoustic tinged beat the lyrics are very good a classy song 10/10

3.King Of Sorrow/This was the 2nd single which to be honest i never saw the video to (or even the rest of her songs..they never show them)i dont expect this got anywhere in the charts i think its a great song one of them he-broke-my-heart-but-im-coping kinda songs 10*/10

4.Somebody Already Broke My Heart/I know everyone will relate to this song "Ive been torn apart so many times/ive been hurt so many times before" if u dont relate to this in one way or another ur not human lol 10*/10

5.All About Our Love/This is sort of soft rock song its very short as well (2:40) its a nice song though its more up-lifting that the previous songs very cool song 9/10

6.Slave Song/Now when i 1st got the album i didnt like this song but it grew on my its kinda religious song i really like it again shes used Reggae to give the song that extra bounce 10/10

7.The Sweetest Gift/This is the shortest song on the album (2:18) its a nice laid back acoustic song very sweet as well 9/10

8.Everyword/Yet another cool Reggae tinged song i love this song it had to be one of the best the lyrics are superb 10/10

9.Immigrant/This is sorta religious/political song abut racism its very good just listen to the lyrics but as i said to a friend things aint like this no more so i dunno why she did this song but its a good song anyway 10/10

10.Lover's Rock/Title track sorta weak for a title song but its nice & laidback i like the was she never over sings & it seems effortless 9/10

11.Its Only Love That Gets You Through/Wow was a long title i think this is very sweet i dont think it was a good way to end the album but i mean the song isnt bad so doesnt matter 8/10

Top 5 LR Songs
1.Slave Song
2.By Your Side
3.King Of Sorrow
4.Somebody Already Broke My Heart
5.Everyword

Good album but lets not get carried away.....
Its always wonderful to hear that a Sade album is on its way. This is because they are produced in a 4-9 year cycle i.e. plenty of time for the great lady to sing about her favourite theme "love" from a previously uncharted angle. Take "flow" for example - the lyrics gushing with "is it possible I could really love you the way I do?"...point in fact!
As with previous Sade albums it deals with love,lost love and hope..but not in that order. Still, noone does it better.
There are a couple of gems on the album that are consistent with the greatness of previous offerings (like "Love Deluxe") - these are "Flow", "King of sorrow" and "Someone already broke my heart". The songs that may not work as well are "Slave song" (a bit too gloomy) and The sweetest gift" (too sugary sweet). "Every word" gets back to the heart of the mood of the album with terrific guitar chords and a gentle drum beat.
No doubt this album will please the fans but after the potential peak of "Love DeLuxe" they may feel she has not made major ground. New fans on the other hand will feel that this is incredible stuff, but they are measuring it against a very stale/stagnant era in music.
Its still music for lovers and believers in love (eternal love optimists?) and, yes, her voice is still fab and, additionally, its great that the band are still together BUT does that mean we won't hear from her again until 2008?...(around the time of the next appearance of Haleys comet..)..
Well, time is something she has plenty of..