Sade, another reason why am proud to be African. If you didn’t know that she is of Nigerian British roots, well get the memo. Africans should be proud of her musical contribution to the world. Soldier of love is Sade’s 6th studio album.
The album generally touches on the long hard road of love and life lessons. It acknowledges hurt and disappointments but in the end with a summary that you can wash away anything from your skin, it can’t be that easy but yes you can start afresh, you too can be a soldier of love is you find rest in the safest place.
—> Did anyone notice how i wrote that paragraph using the song titles? Usually someone shouldn’t force the reader to notice such things, but i have to flaunt that 🙂
1. The moon and the sky 4.27
Sade sings of deep love. To her lover who knows the reason why their love could have had the moon and the sky. Despite the breakup, he doesn’t let her move on and it hurts her so she still won’t let him go. Very catchy beat and nice intro! Lovely work on the guitar I must say!
2. Soldier of love 5.58
This is what i call an intense beat. Fit for a movie soundtrack. FYI it was among the chosen soundtracks for Lost Season 6. She sings that her heart lost its use but she will soldier on and survive as she’s still looking for the light. Don’t we all want to be soldiers of love? Watch the video
3. Morning bird 2.39
A very beautiful song. You would either get its gist or not. Like the morning bird she sang everyday but now the bird flew away deep lyrics. I love the violin and piano gives it a chivalric sound. She goes on to sing that she is still a bird and if he sets her free she will not run. Sigh.
4. Baby father 4.40
Quite a lovely track! Definitely in my top 3 in this album! Let’s start with the guitar work. I love how the momentum builds up, listen keenly and you will notice the difference. It’s like a Bob Marley’s resurrection of the guitar in could this be love. This is a great neo-soul track with a great love story. Listen to the song and watch the lovely vid
5. Long hard road 3.02
This one has that Sade- x factor. The guitar work sounds so Santana but it’s Juan Janes, Mexican, i think. Her song is an assertion that despite the long road ahead, it’s going to be alright. I call this a motivational track, again this would make a great movie soundtrack.
7.Bring me home 4.05
A soft rock song, she sings that the ground is full of broken stones, she got nowhere to turn to so please bring her home. This song basically says that east or west, home is best. Not a track you want to listen to everyday but definitely a good one.
8. In another time 5.06
Just like the name of the song, the one sounds like it should have been released in another time, maybe the 80’s. It’s so Earth wind and fire- misty blue. Love the whole band feel, the guitar and sax fused in piano. She sings that if things don’t work out girl, it will in another time and place though.
9. Skin 4.13
I really love this one, it’s a favourite! And that bass guitarist, wow! True neo-soul, it’s like when Maxwell used to rock an afro, Erick Benett on dreads and something like D’angelo naked in a music video. Remember that time? She sings that when she found out their love was gone, like Michael Jackson back in the day, she begins to wash off her skin, to peel him away, as he was right in within …
10. The safest place 2.46
This is the one song that would make me cry. It is acoustic. Always said that if songs had sisters this one would be twins with Maxwell’s ‘Playing possum’. She sings that in her heart his love has found the safest hiding place, inside her heart is a field with trees and a lake. there is a wall that no one could break as she is a lonely warrior. That her heart has been to war so he can be sure that he has found the safest hiding place.
What can i say? God bless you Sade.
The songs from this album are quite good. I especially love Soldier of Love. Could play it all day long at the office.
Lovely review for a beautiful album..
I haven’t listened to this album but I’ve heard and like some of her music. Thanks to you miss Roses I now know she is of Nigerian decent 🙂 I’ll make a point of gettin a hold of the CD
do do do do do do do do 🙂
Thanks for your comments on the guitars on babyfather and long hard road but I am no mexican I am argentinian!! and thank u for comparing me with Santana!! he is an amazing guitar player!! ciao
Wow! Did the real Juan Janes just comment on my blog?
who are you then???
Juan Janes, i am just an ordinary girl from Kenya, Africa who loves music especially Sade. It is a pleasure to have somene like you comment in my blog let alone having read it… I feel like it’s a blessing, i mean you have worked in this album, you work with Sade! I am honoured Juan xx.
interesting.>the juan thingy
anyway, i got the album and i absolutely love the feel.
nice blog, altogether.
Interesting review you have there…Sade is timeless!!
wow, just saw sade a few nights ago and it was one of the best nights of my life! i listen to their albums all the time, probably more than any other band (and i am a huge music fan and musician/producer myself). i didn’t think i could like them/her any more than i already did, but seeing them/her live took it to the next level. i’ve re-listened to each album with fresh ears since the show. she sang ‘brand new shoes’ and the universe opened to us when she sang the climactic ‘hallelujah.’ it was a truly life changing moment for me. i have a renewed commitment to music, compassion, and life in general. thank you sade!
just wanted to share in the sade love on your blog!!!!!!! hi from portland, oregon, usa!
Thank you for your comment. Its rather amazing how we are all one thanks to music, no matter what part of the world we are. I am from Kenya, Nairobi. You having loved Sade’s concert is an enjoyability vicariously in me and thanks to this blog we both can talk. Cheers and a toast to the six degrees of separation 🙂