Never mind the rumors that Sade returned to her old job as a waitress, or that she was suffering from recurring stage fright. Sade is back. The title song of Sade's new album sets the tone of her first release in eight years, "Lovers Rock."
Unlike the funky instrumentation and dance rhythms of her previous albums, "Lovers Rock" reflects the singer's quieter, more reflective side. A well-deserved break gave the two-time Grammy winner time to write, produce, arrange and perform all 11 songs.
Forty year old Sade was born Helen Folesade Adu in Nigeria. Moving to London with her mother, she studied fashion design while working part-time as a waitress and bike messenger.
Inspired by Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Marvin Gaye, Sade joined a jazz-rock band called Pride. With Sade as its lead singer and principal songwriter, the group released its first single in 1984, "Your Love Is King." A year later, Sade walked off with the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
The Grammy Award was just the beginning. Sade followed up her debut album with a string of hit singles. Extensive tours, television appearances, a 90-minute concert video and her second Grammy earned her a spot on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Women Of Rock & Roll.
Word of her first new album in years began surfacing in early 1999. "It's Only Love That Gets You Through" from Sade's new album "Lovers Rock," features Sade's former Pride bandmates Stuart Matthewman on sax and guitar, Andrew Hale on keyboards and Paul Denman on bass.
In support of the album, Sade is making the rounds of U.S. television talk shows over the next few weeks. The first single from "Lovers Rock" is called "By Your Side."