Soldier of Love is the sixth studio album by the English group Sade. It is their first album of original material since Lovers Rock (2000). The album was initially released on 5 February 2010 in Germany, and it was released worldwide on 8 February 2010 and in the United States on 9 February 2010. The first single "Soldier of Love" premiered on 8 December 2009 on the group's official website.

The album debuted at number four on the UK Albums Chart, becoming their highest debut since Stronger Than Pride (1988). It also debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 502,000 copies in the United States, making it Sade's first US number-one debut, and topped music charts in several other countries. Upon its release, Soldier of Love received generally positive reviews from most music critics and was nominated for two Grammy Awards.

Background

In March 2009, American recording artist Maxwell, a fellow Sony Music recording artist and longtime friend and collaborator with Stuart Matthewman, sent a message to fans in March via his private Facebook page in which he indicated that he had heard some of Sade's new recordings, saying, "Trust me, it's so monolithic it'll shake you in your shoes!"

According to Billboard, the band had been working on the album throughout June 2009. At that time, Sony Music had not set a release date but it hoped to put the record out by the end of 2009. "She is in the studio and the album will come when it is ready", a source at Sony Music told Billboard. "You don't wait for years for one and then rush it."

Reception

Commercial performance

Soldier of Love made its first chart appearance on the Irish Albums Chart where it debuted at #12, as well as in the Italy and Poland where it topped the charts, already becoming platinum. On the week of February 14, 2010, the album debuted at #4 on the official UK Albums Chart, becoming the groups' highest chart debut in their home country, since the 1988's Stronger Than Pride. The album has had greater success in the United States than in their native country, where Soldier of Love became Sade's first number-one US debut, and its best sales week since SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991, selling 502,000 copies. Additionally, it's the best sales week for an album by a group since AC/DC's Black Ice made into the chart at number one on the chart dated November 2008, with 784,000 copies sold. In the weeks since its February release, the album has sold over 1.1 million copies in the United States making it a certified platinum album. After 14 weeks however, the album has fallen out of the top 40 on the billboard charts compared to their previous release Lovers Rock which sold 3.9 million copies and stayed in the top 20 for over 6 months. By the end of 2010, the album had sold 2.3 million copies, making it the ninth best selling album internationally for 2010.

Critical response

Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 79/100 from Metacritic.. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2010-02-20. Chicago Tribune writer Greg Kot gave it 3 out of 4 stars and wrote favorably of Sade Adu's singing, stating "she remains alluring and subtly rewarding, while still keeping the listener at a safe distance, as if she had even deeper secrets to guard".Kot, Greg. . Chicago Tribune. Retrieved on 2010-02-20. The Daily Telegraphs Tom Horan gave the album 5 out of 5 stars and wrote that its songs are "beautifully balanced between warmth and toughness, vulnerability and hauteur".Horan, Tom. . The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved on 2010-02-20. The Observers Kitty Empire called it a "triumph for quality over quantity".Empire, Kitty. . The Observer. Retrieved on 2010-02-20. Jim DeRogatis of Chicago Sun-Times gave the album 3 out of 4 stars and wrote favorably of its "sophisticated and soulful grooves", stating "Sade may not be giving us anything radically new, but it's a pleasure just to have her back doing what she's always done so well".DeRogatis, Jim. . Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved on 2010-02-28. BBC Online writer Paul Lester wrote that the album is "as mournfully one-paced as previous Sade albums, with the same attention to texture and surface lustre but, alas, not to melody or moving autobiography".Lester, Paul. . BBC Online. Retrieved on 2010-02-20. About.com's Mark Edward Nero gave the album 4½ out of 5 stars and perceived its tone as "darker" than Sade's previous work, while calling it "a fairly uplifting album that's filled with gorgeous melodies, sophisticated lyrics and themes, and of course, some of the most beautiful singing you'll ever hear".Nero, Mark Edward. . About.com. Retrieved on 2010-02-28.

However, Allmusic's Andy Kellman gave it 3 out of 5 stars and viewed its lyrical themes as bleak, writing that "a fair portion of the album’s lyrical content comes off as drained-sounding, only echoed with vanilla arrangements that are merely functional".Kellman, Andy. . Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-02-20. Pete Paphides of The Times perceived a lack of "catchy tracks" as a weakness and called it "an album bordering upon ambient in its statuesque stillness".Paphides, Pete. . The Times. Retrieved on 2010-02-20. The Guardian writer Caroline Sullivan expressed a mixed response to the group's "pop-soul" and "quiet storm" style on the album, but wrote that its "­lushness and understatement" is balanced by "lyrics of surprising transparency".Sullivan, Caroline. . The Guardian. Retrieved on 2010-02-20. Despite calling its mood "morose" and expressing a mixed response towards its "bleakness and melancholy", All About Jazz critic Jeff Winbush viewed Soldier of Love as an improvement over Sade's previous album, Lovers Rock.Winbush, Jeff. . All About Jazz. Retrieved on 2010-02-28. Stephen M. Duesner of Paste gave it an 82/100 rating and called it Sade's "most musically adventurous collection to date, and also its most expansive and rewarding".Deusner, Stephen M. . Paste. Retrieved on 2010-02-28. The Washington Posts Chris Richards called the band's "cool alto sound nobler than ever" and described Soldier of Love as its "most spare and haunting album yet -- one where Sade's grief is harrowing, elegant and undeniably magnetic".Richards, Chris. . The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2010-02-28.

Sade is nominated for two grammys for the album.MTV News Staff, , Dec 2, 2010, mtv.tv

Personnel

;Musicians

*Sade

**Sade Adu – vocals

**Stuart Matthewman – guitar, saxophone

**Andrew Hale – keyboards

**Paul S. Denman – bass

*Tony Momrelle – vocals

*Leroy Osbourne – vocals

*Martin Ditcham – percussion, drums

*Pete Lewinson - drums

*Joseph Robinson – percussion & strings on "In Another Time"

*Everton Nelson – violin

*Ian Burdge – cello

*Gordon Matthewman – trumpet

*Noel Langley – trumpet

*Ila Adu, Clay Matthewman – vocals on "Babyfather"

*Juan Janes – guitar on "Long Hard Road"

*Sophie Muller – ukulele

;Production

*Sade Adu – programming

*Stuart Matthewman – programming

*Andrew Hale – programming

*Mike Pela – co-producer, engineer, mixing

*Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing

*Michael Brauer – mixing

*Andrew Nicholls – pre-production

*John Davis – mastering

*Sophie Muller – photography, art direction

*Tom Hingston Studio – design

Charts, certifications and procession

Charts

End of year charts

Sales and certifications

;Chart procession and succession

Release history

References

Artist/Band Information

Sade (pronounced ) are an English R&B band that formed in 1983. The band's music features elements of R&B, soul, jazz, funk and soft rock. The band is named after their British Nigerian lead vocalist, Sade Adu.

Sade's debut album, Diamond Life, went Top Ten in the U.K. in late 1984 and sold platinum. In 1986, Sade won a Grammy for Best New Artist. Sade's US certified sales so far stands at 23.5 million units according to RIAA, and has sold more than 57 million units worldwide to date.

History

1980s

Sade were formed in 1982, when members of a Latin soul band Pride — Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman, and Paul Spencer Denman — together with Paul Anthony Cook formed a break-away group and began to write their own material. In 1983, Andrew Hale joined the band, though Cook left in 1984. Sade, named after their lead singer, made their debut in December 1982 at Ronnie Scott's Club in London, in support of Pride. In May 1983, the band performed their first US show at Danceteria Club in New York City. Sade received more attention from the media and record companies than Pride and finally separated. On 18 October 1983, the band signed with Portrait Records. All Sade albums were released through this label until it was absorbed by its parent label Epic Records in 1986.

On 25 February 1984, Sade released their first UK single "Your Love Is King". Their debut album Diamond Life was released on 28 July 1984 in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at #2 and was later certified 4x Platinum by the BPI. The band embarked on their first major UK tour, augmented by Dave Early (drums), Martin Ditcham (percussion), Terry Bailey (trumpet) and Gordon Matthewman (trombone). On 8 December 1984, the band released their first U.S. single "Hang on to Your Love", with the Diamond Life album following on 23 February 1985. Also in 1985, Sade won a BPI "Brit Award" for "Best Album". A third single, "Smooth Operator", was released from the album with a video directed by Julian Temple. It was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards—"Best Female Video" and "Best New Artist". On 13 July 1985, Sade performed at the Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London. Sade Adu became the only African-born artist to appear in front of the live audience of 75,000, and an estimated worldwide television audience of 1.4 billion in 170 countries.

On 16 November, 1985, Sade released their second album Promise in the United Kingdom (released in the US on 21 December 1985). The album peaked at no.1 in the UK and has been certified double Platinum by the BPI. In 1986, Sade Adu was nominated for an American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Video Artist and won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. In late 1985, Sade went on their first world tour to promote Promise. Augmenting the band were Dave Early (drums), Martin Ditcham (percussion), Gordon Matthewman (trumpet), Jake Jacas (trombone & backing vocals), Leroy Osbourne (vocals) and Gordon Hunte (guitar). On 28 June 1986, the band performed at the Artists Against Apartheid Concert in the Freedom Festival on Clapham Common in London. In 1987, the band were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for Promise.

On 14 May 1988, Sade released their third album Stronger Than Pride in the United Kingdom (released in the US on 4 June 1988). The album peaked at number 3 in the UK and has been certified Platinum by the BPI. It was preceded by the single "Paradise" which made the UK top 30 (and top 20 in the US). The band toured across the world again, augmented by Blair Cunningham (drums), Martin Ditcham (percussion), Leroy Osbourne (vocals), Gordon Hunte (guitar), James McMillan (trumpet) and Jake Jacas (trombone & vocals).

In 1989, Sade Adu was nominated for an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist.

1990s

Sade released their fourth album Love Deluxe on 11 November 1992 in the U.K. and November 21 in the US. The album peaked at number 3 on the US Album charts and was certified Quadruple-Platinum (4x), but stalled at no.6 on the UK charts before being certified Gold by the BPI.

In 1993, the band recorded a cover of the Percy Mayfield song "Please Send Me Someone to Love" for the Academy Award winning film Philadelphia, before launching their Love Deluxe world tour. Joining the band were Leroy Osbourne (vocals), Gordon Hunte (guitar), Trevor Murrell (drums), Karl Vanden Bossche (percussion) and Rick Braun (trumpet).

The 1994 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group was awarded to Sade for "No Ordinary Love", featured in the 1993 film Indecent Proposal. In November, the group released their first compilation album, The Best of Sade. The album hit shelves on 12 November in the UK and on 26 November 1994 in the US, where it peaked at number 9 on Billboard's Album Chart and was certified Quadruple-Platinum.

In 1996, Hale, Denman, and Matthewman formed their own band as a side project, Sweetback, and released their self-titled first album.

2000s

In October 2000 Sade famously came out of retirement to perform at the prestigious MOBO Awards. Her appearance at the MOBO Awards ceremony was her first live performance since the early nineties and started a wave of speculation that a possible Sade comeback was in the cards. On 13 November 2000, Sade released their fifth studio album Lovers Rock in the United Kingdom (released the day after in the US). Their first album in eight years, Lovers Rock peaked at number 18 in the UK (their only studio album not to make the top 10) though was certified Gold by the BPI. It fared better in the US, peaking at number 3. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2002.

The band toured the US throughout 2001. The tour resulted in a live album, Lovers Live, which was released in the UK and US in February 2002.

In 2005, the band contributed the track "Mum" to the Voices for Darfur DVD.

The title track to Soldier of Love was released on the website and debuted on radio stations on 8 December 2009.

2010s

Sade's sixth studio album Soldier of Love was released worldwide on 8 February 2010, their first album of new material in almost ten years.

Following the release of the "Soldier of Love" single on 8 December 2009, the track debuted at number 11 on the Urban Hot AC chart, making it the highest debut of the decade and the third highest all-time on the Urban Hot AC chart. "Soldier of Love" also debuted at number 5 on the Smooth Jazz airplay chart while also becoming the first ever vocal to hit number 1 on the Smooth Jazz Top 20 Countdown.

After moving 502,000 copies, the album topped the Billboard 200 chart during its debut week. The album is the band's first number 1 album since the 1986 Promise, which was number 1 on the Billboard charts for two consecutive weeks. The group released the second single from the album, "Babyfather", in April 2010, followed by a video in May.

The band performed the first single from their new album on UK's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on 26 February 2010.

On 13 April 2010, the band performed "Babyfather" and "The Sweetest Taboo" on US' Dancing With The Stars.

In September 2010, the group announced the first dates of their global tour to begin in April 2011.

On VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, Sade ranked at 50.

Members

*Sade Adu – vocals, lyricist, songwriter

*Stuart Colin Matthewman – guitar, sax, songwriter

*Paul Spencer Denman – bass, songwriter

*Andrew Hale – keyboards, songwriter

Discography

;Studio albums:

*1984: Diamond Life

*1985: Promise

*1988: Stronger Than Pride

*1992: Love Deluxe

*2000: Lovers Rock

*2010: Soldier of Love

;Other albums

*1992: Remix Deluxe

*1994: The Best of Sade

*2002: Lovers Live

Videography

Live performances

*1993: Life Promise Pride Love

*1994: Live Concert Home Video

*2002: Lovers Live

Music videos

;Diamond Life' (1985)

* Your Love is King – 3:37 (Directed by Jack Semmens)

* Smooth Operator – 4:17 (Directed by Julian Temple)

* Hang on to Your Love – 3:58 (Directed by Brian Ward)

* When am I Going to Make a Living – 3:34 (Director unknown, this video is not available on the Sade video collection)

;Promise (1986)

* Never as Good as the First Time – 3:54 (Directed by Brian Ward)

* Sweetest Taboo – 5:02 (Directed by Brian Ward)

* Is it a Crime – 7:02 (Directed by Brian Ward)

;Stronger Than Pride (1988)

* Paradise – 3:37 (Directed by Alex McDowell)

* Nothing Can Come Between Us – 3:51 (Directed by Sophie Muller)

* Turn My Back on You – 4:08 (Directed by Sophie Muller)

* Love is Stronger Than Pride (Directed by Sophie Muller)

;Love Deluxe (1992)

* No Ordinary Love – 4:01 (Directed by Sophie Muller)

* Cherish The Day – 4:23 (Directed by Albert Watson)

* Kiss of Life – 4:11 (Directed by Albert Watson)

* Feel No Pain – 3:47 (Directed by Albert Watson)

;Lovers Rock (2000)

* By Your Side – 4:25 (Directed by Sophie Muller)

* King Of Sorrow – 4:40 (Directed by Sophie Muller)

;Voices for Darfur (2005)

* Mum - 2:42 (The footages are from Sudan)

;Soldier of Love (2010)

* Soldier of Love – 4:59 (Directed by Sophie Muller, released January 12, 2010. Shot on Location in London, England)

* Babyfather – 4:10 (Directed by Sophie Muller)

Awards and nominations

References