Sade - Diamond Life (Vinyl LP)

Diamond Life is the 1984 debut album from English band Sade, a smooth soul and sophisti-pop record closely tied to the rise of quiet storm R&B. Released in the UK on 16 July 1984 through Epic Records, it was recorded at Power Plant Studios in London in October and November 1983 and produced by Robin Millar. The band grew out of Pride, where singer Sade Adu formed a songwriting partnership with saxophonist and guitarist Stuart Matthewman before splitting off with bassist Paul Denman. Andrew Hale plays keyboards, with drums from Paul Cooke and Dave Early. Its UK singles were 'Your Love Is King', 'When Am I Going To Make A Living' and 'Smooth Operator', and the album closes with a cover of Timmy Thomas's 'Why Can't We Live Together'. It peaked at number 2 in the UK and number 5 on the Billboard 200, spent more than six months in the UK Top Ten, was certified four times platinum by the BPI and won the 1985 Brit Award for Best British Album. This 2024 reissue uses the half-speed remaster Miles Showell cut at Abbey Road Studios for the band's This Far box set, working from high resolution transfers of the original stereo master mixes. It is pressed on 180g vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve, and it features an alternate mix of 'Smooth Operator' with an extra line in its intro.