Classic follow-up to her debut album

I love this album more than I do DIAMOND LIFE. 'Cuz it's more upbeat and more silky, more downbeat, whatever you have to call it. I would say this is kinda like a standards album or something or I would more like "Neo-Soul" or "Retro-Soul", something like that.



Sade has all her experimentations on this album by mixing it up with some varied styles of pop, blues, jazz, african-related, religion-related, funk, blues, and R&B.



Now on the song "Is It A Crime" kinda reminds of me about getting into a relationship or a friend whom I have to talk with on the phone 4 what matter of reason I don't know. I'd just remember when I first listen to this album whom I got on my 17th birthday in December 2001, I found out it's more of a blues song than a jazz record which u hear all the time on most jazz and smooth jazz stations. Can't say much 'bout it but the horns, the melody, the rhythm of it all has nice sound and so relaxed and touchy.



Then I hear others like "Sweetest Taboo", "Never Good As The First Time", "Maureen", etc. which takes me back all around.

Y'know it tickles me a lil bit. I liked the idea that the sound and varied styles are changing.



Ok long period short, I love the movement of this album and hope to keep it around for a long time. It'll help me further of being a jazz musician and a wonderful singer.



Great work and God bless.

My Favorite Sade Album of All Time

From "Is It A Crime?" to "Maureen", there's nothing on this album that I don't like. Like it's predacessor, "Diamond Life", the entire album has a melancholy feel to it, but this has quite a few tracks you can relax too, but minus love ballad, well a solid one, in my opinion, not that it matters, a genuine love ballad would of killed the entire mood of the album.



Vocally Sade is at her best, until "Love Deluxe" came out. The rest of the band was superb as always, but unlike the other albums, they didn't outshine the vocalists and didn't take a step back when they were needed most (That was the feeling I got on "Lover's Rock"). Everything on this album is as close to perfect.



Favorite tracks include, the jazz/blues-like track, "Is It A Crime" (Do not listen to this track, if you've broken up with your girl/guy, and can't get them out of your head). Another one, of course is "Sweetest Taboo" (not a ballad), up tempo love song playas can dig. "Fear", "War of the Hearts", the super depressing "Maureen", and "Punch Drunk" are some of the other strong tracks on here.



This album is a must have for any die hard fan. I gave this one 5 stars because it stands above all the other classic Sade albums. Promise is to the Sade collection, what the Black Lion is to Voltron. So if this album isn't in your collection, get it.

Sade is truly in a class by herself...

What can I say about Ms. Sade Adu that I haven't said already? Or, better question, what can I say about her that hasn't been said by other people? Sade has the kind of fire, intensity, smoothness, artistry and originality to carry the breadth and depth of this gorgeous album from the 1980s. "Promise" stands out from the numerous albums recorded at that time. There was a really generic sound that grew tedious and repetitive that I don't hear on this CD. The sound I am talking about is that very up-tempo, bubbly "canned quality" attributed to studio pop albums. Of course, I never have considered Sade's music as standard pop. But, when it comes to using that word "standard," she, no doubt, sets one!



When you pop this CD (or tape) in the boom box, you will immediately feel transported to a romantically lit jazz club on a Friday night. The beautiful Sade emerges from a dark, red, velvet curtain, in a slinky black dress. She is ready to croon. "Is it a Crime" (Track #1) is tender and beautifully interpreted by the masterful diva of romantic popular jazz. It gracefully compliments the soft percussive elements of the massively popular "The Sweetest Taboo." (Track #2) The quality and diversity of sounds and expression set by these first two tracks prevails throughout every song. They aren't, by any stretch, monotonous or unengaging. Though, many of the tunes are a slower tempo and are more on the introspective side, Sade weaves beautiful stories with melody, delivery and intuitive grace. Of course, just as we think that this slower mood will continue outward on to the last track, we are surprised. "Maureen" is delightfully energetic and wistful. I couldn't decide if this Maureen she sings of has passed away or has just grown apart from Sade. ("Maureen, I'm never gonna see you again/You'll never meet my new friends")



In short, this CD is gorgeous. Sade is a timeless singer who makes her mark with refreshing refinement and beauty.