Sade

1982–presentUKSoul/Funk

Sade is a band, not just a singer. Behind Sade Adu's cool, smoky voice, Stuart Matthewman's sax and guitar, Paul S. Denman's bass and Andrew Hale's keyboards wrap jazz, soul and quiet-storm R&B into music of understated elegance.

Diamond Life introduced 'Smooth Operator' and 'Your Love Is King', and Promise, Stronger Than Pride, Love Deluxe and Lovers Rock followed at a famously unhurried pace, with long gaps in between.

Soldier of Love arrived nearly a decade after Lovers Rock and went straight to number one in the US. In 2026 they were named in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's new class.

If you like Sade you should check out: Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Bill Withers, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Portishead, Massive Attack, The xx, Nina Simone