Lovers Live

1	Cherish the Day
2	Somebody Already Broke My Heart
3	Smooth Operator
4	Jezebel
5	Kiss of Life
6	Slave Song
7	Sweetest Gift
8	Sweetest Taboo
9	Paradise
10	No Ordinary Love
11	By Your Side
12	Flow
13	Is It a Crime

Barnes & Noble

Having spent most of the mid-'90s taking a break from the music industry to start a family and recharge her creative batteries, Sade returned in 2000 with the stellar Lovers Rock. This live document, recorded before an adoring public on her American tour, shows Sade bridging the gap between the Quiet Storm sophistication of her earlier work and the edgier, groove-driven efforts of her younger competition. Backed by longtime collaborators Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale, and Paul Spencer Denman (a.k.a. Sweetback), along with a handful of extra musicians, the Nigerian-born, U. K.-bred chanteuse handily communicates the hushed intimacy of her albums to a big and boisterous audience who make their adulation known at every sax solo and (one imagines) hip swivel. Recent fare such as the roots-rock-flavors of the atmospheric "Slave Song" (with its dubby excerpt from the Abyssinians reggae classic "African Race") and the hip-hop-flavored nuance of "Flow" mix effortlessly with the jazzy cool of "Smooth Operator" and the infectious, funky vibe of "The Sweetest Taboo." The impeccable musicianship of Sade's band gives muscular new life to the hypnotic opener, "Cherish the Day," an aggressive "Paradise" (packed with rock-like guitar riffs and popping percussion), and the ambient eroticism of "No Ordinary Love." But it's Sade's innocent vocal gifts that make quiet numbers such as "The Sweetest Gift," a lullaby written for her little girl, and "By Your Side," dedicated to her fans who "kept the flame burning," the real keepers on this set. As the title hints, Lovers Live is an affirmation celebrating the power of love and music to create a soul space amid the occasional ugliness of the real world. Dave Gil de Rubio

All Music Guide

Sade made a strong comeback in 2000 with Lovers Rock, her first album in eight years. She sealed the deal in 2002 with Lovers Live, a collection of performances from her very successful summer tour. It's proof that Sade hasn't lost a note and her fans haven't missed a beat. Above all things, the record is smooth. Sade's new songs mix seamlessly with classics from every stage of her career. An energetic eight-piece band breathes new life to the old tunes and offers another look at the Lovers Rock material. The highlight, of course, is Sade's intoxicating voice and it's clear that the audience is under her spell from her first breath. Lovers Live is a sum greater than any one of its parts, but there are some standout moments, like the rocking version of "Paradise," "The Sweetest Gift" (a song written for her daughter), and a haunting rendition of "Jezebel." Even though the recordings were taking from various performances throughout the tour, the album feels like one cohesive performance and makes for a great listen all the way through. ~ Brad Kohlenstein, All Music Guide