Music around the World: Sade-Adu
Helen Folosade Adu, known around the world by her stage name, Sade, embodies the heart and soul of R&B and Soul music. As a kid growing up, her unmistakable contralto voice was a regular sound in my household that emanated off classic vinyl records. Her and her band, also named Sade, would revolutionize the Soul and R&B world with a new and unique sound, with albums like “Stronger than Pride,” (1988) and “Love Deluxe” (1992). She may not have the loud, overly emotional vocal range that has become the standard in many mainstream musical circles, but it’s her signature mellow voice, perfectly meshed with her jazzy band that has made her sound the unofficial standard of class and sophistication for many. I like to put it this way: to use an action star analogy, if many of the mainstream singers today could be likened to say a Rambo, blasting everyone out of their way with their powerful vocal ranges, then Sade would be a James Bond, that cool personality that orders a martini at the bar and has just as much impact, albeit in a subtler fashion.
I must admit, I was torn between linking Sade to England, where she grew up, or Nigeria, where she was born. No matter her cultural heritage, one thing is clear: her voice has had a profound positive impact with people around the world. I will leave you with the below track, Is It A Crime, which is from her “Promise” album (1985). This track also makes an appearance in my novel, Eteka: Rise of the Imamba. Enjoy.
