Lovers Live

Lovers Live was recorded at two Sade concerts in the Los Angeles area in September 2001. After almost twenty years of playing together, keyboardist Andrew Hale, guitarist Stuart Matthewman, bassist Paul S. Denman and singer Sade Adu had honed an exceptionally deep musical connection that radiates throughout Lovers Live. The band knows exactly how to take advantage of the live setting without abusing its freedoms. They are given the space to milk the tightly woven grooves of “The Sweetest Taboo” and “No Ordinary Love.” Denman’s bass was at the forefront of the band’s most recent album (Lovers Rock), and in concert his instrument gives extra weight to fan favorites “Cherish the Day” and “Kiss of Life,” as well as new pieces like “Flow” and “Somebody Already Broke My Heart.” The recording gives a sense not only of Sade’s hypnotic stage presence, but the essential chemistry between the singer and her audience. Rather than close on a big hit, Lovers Live ends with the throbbing dub of “Slave Song.” An expression of pain and perseverance, it epitomizes Sade’s mesmerizing, uncompromising vision.