Sade's Comeback and Classic Hits: A Look Back at 'Lover's Rock'

In the late 1990s, soulful British songstress Sade was enjoying well-deserved time off from the music scene. After her critically-acclaimed album 'Love Deluxe' in 1992, fans were left eagerly awaiting news of a new release.

Finally, after an eight-year wait since her last studio effort, S.A.R.'S sassy chanteuse returned to stores with 'Lover's Rock'. Released on January 29th, 2000 via Epic Records (in the United States) and MCA Music (elsewhere), this long-awaited album marked a triumphant return for one of contemporary R&B's most iconic artists.

'Lovers Rock' proved to be everything that Sade's devoted fanbase had hoped for and more. Boasting an intoxicating blend of soulful, laid-back grooves alongside lush instrumentation courtesy of keyboardist Horace 'Horus' Mills, 'Lover's Rock''s sensual soundscapes perfectly captured the essence of 2000s adult contemporary (AC) music.

The lead single from this magnificent set was undoubtedly its titular track - a sultry slow jam that featured Sade crooning heartily about finding solacious comfort in love. Backed by smooth, atmospheric production courtesy of producer/songwriter Mike 'Pilo' Pileggi and co-producer/arranger Jimmy Hogarth (who would later work on such hits as Norah Jones's 'Don't Know Why'), this instant classic immediately shot up the charts upon its release.

The album itself fared equally well, reaching No.2 in both The UK Albums Chart and US Billboard 200 chart respectively - a phenomenal achievement given how long it had been since Sade last graced these lofty heights on those respective sales listings.

A companion live record titled 'Lover's Live' soon followed shortly after its studio counterpart; featuring recordings from her sold-out summer tour of North America, this collection cemented the enduring popularity of both artist and material alike among lovers worldwide.

Sade by your side mp3 download