The Remarkable Signature Sound of Sade (Part1)

Sade is one of the most successful artists from 1980s to come out of the UK as creative export since her debuted album “Diamond Life.” It was released in the United Kingdom on 28^th July 1984 by Epic Records and in the United States on 23^rd February 1985 by Portrait Records. Since her debuted album Sade has sold over 16 million copies in America from 1985 to April 1996 accord to the Recording Industry Association of America ahead of such artist as Lionel Richie and the late Luther Vandross. This has made Sade and her band the 9^th most successful black recording act from 1985 to 1996 and is featured in the top 200 list of best selling recording artists according to (RIAA) Recording Industry Association of America in the 20^th Century.

Sade's dedut multi-platinum certified
studio album "Diamond Life"

Her four biggest selling studio albums so far in America are “Diamond Life” (1984) ,“Promise” (1985) and “Love Deluxe” (1992). Each album has sold four million copies, with the addition of her third studio album “Stronger Than Pride” (1988) which sold over three million copies, bringing the total to over 15 million copies plus sold. “Diamond Life” also achieved multi-platinum certification in England for one million copies sold (1.2 million) according BPI (British Recorded Music Industry) “Diamond Life” peaked at number two on the UK Pop Album chart. 

Sade's second multi-platinum
certified studio album 

The follow up album “Promise” did even better topping both the number one positions in UK and US Pop album charts. 16^th November to the 23^rd November 1985 in the UK and peaked at number one in the America on 15^th February 1986 to the 22^nd February 1986. In addition to the UK success, the recording project achieved similar success on the Swiss Album chart listing by going to number one week ending 1^st December 1985 to 15^th December 1985. Sade greatest hits package entitled “The Best of Sade” was certified multi platinum in the US for four million copies sold in 1994 and also received multi platinum certification by (IFPI) International Federation of the Phonographic Industry for two million copies sold across Europe in 1996. “The Best of Sade” was also number one on both the Billboard Top Pop Catalogue Album chart listings and the Billboard Top R&B Album chart listings.

                                      Researched and compiled by               
                                      Mr K Tomlin Music Historian                   
                                      ©RCM Music/Signaturesoundsonline2013-2014