Sade – The Ultimate Collection

Reviewed by Stu Berketo.

I can't think of any musical act born in the 1980s, that in this day and age can come out of a decade long dormancy, release an album that debuts at the #1 position, earn a Grammy Award the following year, has sold more than 50 million albums since it's debut, and as I write, has been packing concert venues across the world without relying totally or even partially on its past successes or 'greatest hits' nostalgia. It's each of those elements, and many more that are too numerous to mention, that can explain the endurance and timelessness of U.K. outfit Sade.

The band's ten year slumber ended in 2010 with the release of 'Soldier Of Love', which earned the powerful guitar and rhythm laced title-song a Grammy award in February 2011 and 'International Artist Of The Year' honours at Wave 94.7's Canadian Smoothies this past Spring. But rather than rest on its newfound instant smash success and slip back into anonymity, Sade kept soldiering on with the May release of 'The Ultimate Collection'. This incredible 29-track double CD wasn't a matter of giving fans what they wanted, more like giving them what they demanded; which was simply more from the group that kept them thirsting since 2000's 'Lover's Rock' album.

’The Ultimate Collection’ takes us through more than a quarter of a century of Sade classics, and proves that this band stands the test of time, and then some. The band, still with its original lineup from 1984's 'Diamond Life' debut, takes us through a chronological hit list time machine, journeying forward with hits from their breakthrough album, 1985's ‘Promise’, 1988’s ‘Stronger Than Pride’, 1992’s ‘Love Deluxe, 2000’s ‘Lover’s Rock’, and the long awaited comeback album ‘Soldier Of Love’ of last year. What makes The Ultimate Collection’ different from Sade’s 1994 greatest hits album, ‘The Best Of Sade,’ is that the band goes that extra mile by including four previously unreleased tunes…well, sort of. The remix of the ‘Soldier Of Love’ track ‘The Moon And The Sky’ provides fans with a second version of the song with mild chill beat and some rap verses compliments of international star Jay-Z. Another new addition, “Love Is Found’ is great up-tempo groove to put you in rhythmic/techno mode. ‘Still In Love With You’ is a weepy soulful remake of Thin Lizzy’s 1974 hit, while “I Would Never Have Guessed’ is the weakest of the new songs with its slow and haunting mood and music. However, these additional songs are nothing but a joyful bonus for Sade’s legion of fans who wondered if or when the band might awaken. And to them, there is no such thing as ‘too much’ Sade.

No matter which album or era you remember as your favourite from Sade, ‘The Ultimate Collection’ is one that even the mildest of fans will savour and thoroughly enjoy as it spans across four different decades. Helen Folasade ‘Sade’ Adu, Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale, and Paul Denman let their incomparable songwriting and musical style sit idle for a decade. But when the Sade ‘hit machine’ ignition was fired up again, not one flake of rust existed. It’s a testament to their endurance and patience of their fans who have welcomed them back in a way that is reserved for only the most solidly talented and legendary of acts.