Quiet Force – Smile
The follow up to Sade’s brilliant debut, Promise builds on the smooth soul jazz of Diamond Life with even tighter rhythms and elegant compositions. Led by singer Sade Adu, the band weaves confidently through cool, laid-back grooves aimed towards the “quiet storm” radio format popular in the 80s. It’s easy to forget that Sade is a band and not just its iconic singer, but Promise is a clear collaborative effort featuring writing contributions from all four members (Diamond Life was written entirely by Adu and guitarist / saxophonist Stuart Matthewman). “The Sweetest Taboo”and “Is It A Crime” and “Never as Good as the First Time” are the obvious hits here, but don’t miss underrated cuts “Maureen,” “War of the Hearts,” and “Fear.”
Recommended – Full Listen
Available Now: https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/product/sade-promise-lp/
Tags: Classics
Tracklist:
A1 Is It A Crime
A2 The Sweetest Taboo
A3 War Of The Hearts
A4 Jezebel
B1 Mr. Wrong
B2 Never As Good As The First Time
B3 Fear
B4 Tar Baby
B5 Maureen
Credits:
Arranged By – Sade
Arranged By [Strings] – Nick Ingham (tracks: B3, B4)
Backing Vocals – Jake Jacas
Bass Guitar – Paul S Denman
Design [Sleeve] – Graham Smith (5)
Drums, Percussion – Dave Early
Engineer – Mike Pela
Keyboards – Andrew Hale
Management – Lee Barrett (2)
Mastered By – Herb Powers Jr.
Mixed By – Mike Pela (tracks: B2)
Percussion – Martin Ditcham
Photography By – Toshi Yajima
Producer – Ben Rogan (tracks: B2, B5), Mike Pela (tracks: B2), Robin Millar (tracks: A1 to B4), Sade (tracks: B2, B5)
Saxophone, Guitar – Stuart Matthewman
Trombone – Pete Beachill
Trumpet – Terry Bailey
Vocals – Sade Adu
Written-By – Hale (tracks: A1, B1, B5), Ditcham (tracks: A2), Denman (tracks: B1, B5), Adu, Matthewman (tracks: A1, A3 to B4)
