Play this at my wedding, funeral and everywhere in between. 1992's Love Deluxe perfectly straddles the jazz lounge chic of Sade’s first few records with the rootsy soundsystem overtones that would define Lovers Rock and Soldier Of Love; nine first-hand accounts of head-over-heels adoration and heart-wrenching sorrow executed in fine style by Sade Adu & co. The album is literally packed with standouts, and more than half of these nine life-affirming tracks would later appear on The Best Of Sade, including sultry downtempo sure-shot "Cherish The Day," brooding opener "No Ordinary Love" (the alt-rock guitar flourishes haven’t aged terribly well, but the deadly dub bassline and Adu’s tender lyrics more than make up for it) and the tragic but beautiful "Pearls." After weepingly illustrating the horrors of war on "Like A Tattoo," she pivots to the rosewater confessional of "Kiss Of Life" without missing a beat. Very few records manage to be so romantic and devastating at the same time. Balearic instrumental coda "Mermaid" is a good opportunity to regain your composure before re-entering the outside world. Highly recommended.

• black vinyl pressing
• includes printed insert
• original release year: 1992
• music label: Epic 2024

reviewed by hannibal chew 11/2017