We have waited and anticipated and now it’s here – Soldier of Love, a new album by the band - SADE. I say “band” because it shares the same name with vocalist Sade Adu and not too many people know or make the distinction. Of course, forever beautiful Sade Adu is the sultry “voice,” but the band holds their own with their sexy Island, Jazz, World, Blues, and/or Tropical sound. The musicians invoke the joy and the sorrow of each song with every instrument (drums, guitars, sax, violins, bass, trumpets, etc.) The smoky lyrics, all written and performed by Sade Adu, fills your heart with all kinds of emotions.
Nigerian-born Helen Folasade Adu (Sade) has a distinctive style to her vocal prowess and we’ve loved her since 1984 – the release of Diamond Life (remember Smooth Operator?) Sade, the singer, has about 5 notes in her repertoire, but each one is so smooth, gliding from one to another. There’s none of the roller-coaster notes of R&B divas today, but with Sade, you don’t even want that (leave that to Beyonce, Christina, Mariah, and others.) The tones are warm, then cool, then warm again – like waves on the beach, gently cascading over rocks. And those harmonies, Classic Sade harmonies playing, loving, fighting, all over those pulsing, rhythmic beats – always a winning combination. It has been 10 years since Sade’s last album and this one delivers – it’s worth the wait! Sade is singing at lower registers (you should hear her normal speaking voice…she could drive a cab in NYC and you wouldn’t know that there’s a beautiful, small-frame, exotic girl with the brightest smile driving the vehicle) as well as singing in “keys” higher than usual in other songs. The only negative? I would hate to wait another 8 to 10 years for the next album.
The first track, THE MOON AND THE SKY lures you in (like all of Sade’s albums) to the experience that lies ahead. It speaks of a love that “messed up” like some lovers do…and she can’t understand why he messed up, but she can’t let him go. (Who has not been there at least once in their lives?) “You’ll always know the reason why, We could have had the moon and the sky…ain’t gonna let you go. You had the keys to the car, You had every star, Everyone of them twinkling…baby, what were you thinking?”
The title track, SOLDIER OF LOVE, has a wounded heart, but longing for love, confidant that it will find love again. I love the first line “I’ve lost the use of my heart, but I’m still alive, Looking for the light” all the way through to the last lines “Still wait for love to come, turn it all around.” Fighting to love again – a soldier! Also, the first few lines has a deep rich sound to Sade’s voice – almost like a bass. Luv it! She went from the KING of SORROW (Lover’s Rock album) to a SOLDIER of LOVE (it took her 10 years, but she’s here damn it!)
MORNING BIRD sound like a reprise of The Moon and the Sky with the military feel of Soldier of Love. “Nothing’s quite what it seems, The ghost of my joy, Won’t let me be…If you set me free, I will not run.”
When I first saw the title BABYFATHER on the CD cover, I was like, “Oh No, Sade’s going to talk about baby-daddy-drama? Noooooo!” I was so glad to “hear” that it was not the case. This track has a reggae groove to it and it is lovely. My favorite line is “Oh child don’t you know, Your daddy’s love comes with a lifetime guarantee” for all the obvious reasons.
LONG HARD ROAD and BE THAT EASY tell us that “It’s gonna be alright” and then flows into a different direction with “That’s just like you to tell me I’ve nothing to fear.” Irony at it’s pulsating best!
BRING ME HOME with its heavy bass-line, is the fastest track on the CD – but it’s Sade-fast…mellow and smooth.
The 8th cut, IN ANOTHER TIME speaks to a “girl,” telling her that “In another time girl, Your tears won’t leave a trace, In another time girl, In another place…They don’t know what to do, With something so good.” I am not sure if this is a “conscience” speaking or a pro at love-lost consoling a “girl” with a brand-new aching heart.
I love the song SKIN because it reminds me of a poem I’ve written about 20 years ago “When I found out this love’s undone…Felt like nothing good could come.” (My poem read: This love – I’m way past done with it, nothing’s good about it, nothing good will come of it, damn it – I’m done with it…) There’s also a line I identify with as well “Now as I begin, To wash you off my skin, I’m gonna peel you away, Cos you’re not right within.” It resonates with dark feelings of what you need to do as oppose to what you want to do – turmoil and strife at what MUST be done
THE SAFEST PLACE is the last song on the CD and an absolute favorite. “In my heart, Your love has found, The Safest hiding place…In there you’ll shine, In there you will cry…The safest hiding place.” This song is the “classic” Sade song – full of pain and love and sorrow and hope all rolled up into one sensation.
Watch the Video to Soldier of Love (plus the making of the album and so much more) here…
“I only make records when I feel I have something to say. I’m not interested in releasing music just for the sake of selling something. Sade is not a brand.” – Sade Adu
Now how does one stay out of the music scene for 8 to 10 years, yet still be relevant upon their return?
How does one pour so much sorrow, joy, and pain into sultry vocals, yet remain so private in real life?
How does one speak so deeply and yet have a smooth melodic tone to their singing voice?
How does one look as fresh, young, and beautiful in 1984 and look just as beautiful and fresh at the age 51 in 2010?
I mean, these are my questions for Sade – and I want some answers!!
I’ve had GREAT Valentine’s Days with my Boo over the past 11 years. One of the most memorable ones for me was our very first Valentine’s Day…
I was low on funds, but I knew I could cook. I’ve created a sexy menu and decorated my apartment to set the mood. There were pillar candles in my fireplace (it was a non-working fireplace, but the candles did cast a romantic fire glow) and small votive candles on my dining table and throughout the living/dining room. I also had red carnations and baby’s breath everywhere (carnations is a very inexpensive alternative to roses) nestles inside fluted Champagne glasses on the mantle, on the tables, in the bedroom, and even in the bathroom. The bathtub and bed were covered with rose petals (a half a dozen of full bloom roses will do the trick nicely…remember, I was low on funds.) Of course, Sade was playing softly in the background (the “Best of Sade” which includes Your Love is King, Smooth Operator, The Sweetest Taboo, No Ordinary Love, and Cherish the Day plus many more sexy songs.) It was a beautiful evening…I don’t think we ever made it to dessert!
The actual keepsake gift was a .99 cents golden frame of my Valentine’s Day “Menu” (printed in MS Word) which I had on my dining table that night. That framed menu has become such a treasured item to us. On our 10th Valentine’s Day, I dug out that frame and re-created the menu with new twists. The biggest twist of all was that our son got to enjoy a new version of our Valentine’s Day Dinner along with us.
What’s your BEST Valentine’s Day? Please leave in “comments” all your wonderful Valentine’s Day memories. You may even help inspire a few ideas for all of us this Sunday, February 14th, 2010.
I am NOT a big football fan. I haven’t watched football (besides the super bowl(s) with my son) since I was a kid living in Bayonne. Even back then it was sporadic. I rather play sports than watch them on TV. I was that one kid that would be bored and ask, “You guys want to actually play a game?” They would always look at me in shock.
I am also not crazy about the Super Bowl, never have been really. As I teen, I saw my share of underage drinking, fighting, and teenage heart-break (yes, an immature teenage boy will break up with his girlfriend to watch the Super Bowl…yes, an immature teenage girl will break up with her boyfriend if he chooses to watch the game instead of being with her.)
As I grew older, my feelings about the Super Bowl did not improve. I saw more drinking (or should I say drunkenness?) and my friends use to like to watch the game in sports bars. I hate the smell of sports bars (sweat and and the smell of beer is NOT a good mix.) There was always a fight (or two) a night and the disgusting bar food was always overpriced (although I must admit, that the Big Apple Sports Bar had a great bar pizza.) I’m also not fond of beer (but I always felt that I had to drink at least one and pretend to like it to fit in with the fellas.) I never understood why women came to Sports Bars during the Super Bowl anyway. Nothing exists on Super Bowl Sunday except football, no matter how those girls will look. (However, I use to be that guy that “hooked up” with some of the girls…I was the only one paying attention to them.) When men brought their wives was also a strange thing for me to see at these Sports Bars on Super Bowl Sunday. SHE could nag him and HE could ignore her at home for free (why did we all have to witness it??) I remember this good friend of mine, who broke up with his girlfriend because she was actually into football (her dad played college ball back in his day and had no sons.) I thought the fact that she knew all about football was “HOT” but he said, “Football’s MY thing, I can’t share that with her…she’s a girl!” The male ego – so easily fractured.
These days, the Super Bowl’s not so bad, it’s the “experience” that I like. It’s not the actual game, but it’s my son, it’s the food, it’s the time “spent” together during the super bowl that I enjoy most. We cover the furniture with large sheets (boys are rowdy and messy, especially during a good game) and we have all kinds of good eats.
Last time we had potato skins (topped with garlic,bacon, cheese, and chives), spicy wingettes (coated with my sweet & savory BBQ sauce), Guacamole salsa (served with home-made toasted corn-tortilla chips), fried ravioli stuffed w/ four cheeses and a spicy marinara dipping sauce, garlic infused hummus alongside fresh celery & carrot sticks, mini cheesburgers (my meatballs really) served w/ a tomato chutney on mini-biscuits, old-fashion beverages (Stewart’s) cream, root-beer, orange n’ cream (soda’s a treat on our home), and for dessert – orange pound cake topped with a marshmallow citrus glaze.
Now, you would think that we had a massive Super Bowl party with at least 20 people right? Wrong…it was just us 3. My son wanted a Super Bowl party…and we had one. We even took 2 super-bowl posters and made one 3-D poster that still hangs in his room. Yes, we ate, we cheered, we ate, we drank, we ate, we celebrated, then we ate some more. Thank goodness I put sheets on the couches – they were filled with crumbs and sauces, smudges and spills.
This Sunday – February 7th, 2010 – is Super Bowl XLIV (New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts.) Am I excited? NO, but I’m excited about having a Super Bowl Party…with my son!
Posted 1 month, 1 week ago at 11:37 pm. 2 comments
and what’s new for H. Luiz Presents?? Lots of cool stuff!!!
First, I want to let you know that I am in cahoots (is that really a word?) with a social network company to help me launch the “H. Luiz Presents…Network.” That’s right, in 2010 I will launch a more “social” component to my website where subscribers can have their own web pages. The idea came to me when some of you asked me how to go about starting your own websites. Soon, you’ll be able to write blogs, post pictures, post videos, and even instant message other subscribers on my network. There, you can practice and get a “feel” for hosting your own site, like a “practice as you go” forum before you invest in a dot com site.
More videos are coming your way as well. I have about 4 interviews that are underway about topics that concern and affect a lot of us. This format was already successfully tested via “H. Luiz Presents…Radio” and now we want to take it to the next level – video!! Then, we’ll try to do follow-up videos incorporating ”radio” (complete with online chat rooms that you can log on to) where you will be able to call in and ask questions and “listen in” via the Internet.
Sponsors have been GREAT!! Soon, you’ll be able to get discounted deals on products and services if purchased through H. Luiz Presents via an internal link. Sponsors know that our subscribers are growing and they want to tap into those numbers. Companies like Pastry (Vanessa & Angela Simmons,) Target, and Amazon are trying to work out deals with H. Luiz Presents for 2010.
H. Luiz Presents will also have an application for mobile phones in about a day or so. This will ensure that you “on-the-go” folks will have easier access to the site.
Lastly, I would also like to setup forums where you, my treasured subscribers, would give your input on various topics that empower, support, or educate ALL of us. There’s a lot of experience and wisdom out there that needs to be shared with others. People helping people is what it’s all about!
Have a very GREAT year!!!
Posted 2 months, 1 week ago at 12:39 am. 10 comments
Lady Gaga is INELIGIBLE to be even nominated for Best New Artist because her hit “Just Dance” was nominated at the 2009 Grammys. The same exact thing happened to Whitney Houston in 1985 when she was a definite shoo-in for the Grammy’s Best New Artist Award. Whitney had a duet with Teddy Pendergrass titled “Hold Me,” which appeared on his album, Love Language in 1984.
I remember saying when I was 18 years old, “Jody Watley can be nominated AND win ‘Best New Artist” and Whitney Houston could not?” Don’t get me wrong, I liked Jody Watley as an artist (still do,) but she sang with Shalamar AND she sang with British Reggae sensation – Musical Youth (“…Pass the duchie on the left hand side…”) Anyway, it was 1988 and Jody Watley DID sing on many records before she won Best New Artist and Whitney Houston COULD NOT even be nominated just 3 years prior??(OK, I think I’m over it now…I’m not even a fan of Whitney Houston anymore - I loved the “younger” Whitney…before the Bobby Years.)
Now, sadly the same deal is happening to Lady Gaga. I do not own ANY Lady Gaga CDs (I like some songs and believe she is one of the few who can sing/perform live) but I am in no way a fan. However, I think it is horrible that this beloved and popular artist is ineligible for Best New Artist 2010. That’s my nickel (my “two-cents”) now off to the 2010 Grammy Nominees…
Album Of The Year:
I Am…Sasha Fierce — Beyoncé
The E.N.D. — The Black Eyed Peas
The Fame — Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King — Dave Matthews Band
Fearless — Taylor Swift
Record Of The Year:
“Halo” — Beyoncé
“I Gotta Feeling” — The Black Eyed Peas
“Use Somebody” — Kings Of Leon
“Poker Face” — Lady Gaga
“You Belong With Me” — Taylor Swift
Best New Artist:
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings
Song Of The Year:
“Poker Face” — Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
“Pretty Wings” — Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
“Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” — Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
“Use Somebody” — Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
“You Belong With Me” — Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals:
“I Gotta Feeling” — The Black Eyed Peas
“We Weren’t Born To Follow” — Bon Jovi
“Never Say Never” — The Fray
“Sara Smile” — Daryl Hall & John Oates
“Kids” — MGMT
Best Pop Vocal Album:
The E.N.D. — The Black Eyed Peas
Breakthrough — Colbie Caillat
All I Ever Wanted — Kelly Clarkson
The Fray — The Fray
Funhouse — P!nk
Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance:
“Beyond Here Lies Nothin’” — Bob Dylan
“Change In The Weather” — John Fogerty
“Dreamer” — Prince
“Working On A Dream” — Bruce Springsteen
“Fork In The Road” — Neil Young
Best Rock Song:
“The Fixer” — Matt Cameron, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready & Eddie Vedder, songwriters (Pearl Jam)
“I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” — Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge & Larry Mullen Jr., songwriters (U2)
“21 Guns” — Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt & Tré Cool, songwriters (Green Day)
“Use Somebody” — Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
“Working On A Dream” — Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)
Best Rock Album:
Black Ice — AC/DC
Live From Madison Square Garden — Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
21st Century Breakdown — Green Day
Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King — Dave Matthews Band
No Line On The Horizon — U2
Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals:
“Blame It” — Jamie Foxx & T-Pain
“Chocolate High” — India.Arie & Musiq Soulchild
“Ifuleave” — Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige
“Higher Ground” — Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters
“Love Has Finally Come At Last” — Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby
Best R&B Album:
The Point Of It All — Anthony Hamilton
Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics — India.Arie
Turn Me Loose — Ledisi
Blacksummers’ Night — Maxwell
Uncle Charlie — Charlie Wilson
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
“Ego” — Beyoncé & Kanye West
“Knock You Down” — Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo
“Run This Town” — Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
“I’m On A Boat” — The Lonely Island & T-Pain
“Dead & Gone” — T.I. & Justin Timberlake
Best Rap Song:
“Best I Ever Had” — Aubrey Drake Graham, D. Hamilton & M. Samuels, songwriters (Drake)
“Day ‘N’ Nite” — S. Mescudi & O. Omishore, songwriters (Kid Cudi)
“Dead And Gone” — C. Harris, R. Tadross & J. Timberlake, songwriters (T.I. & Justin Timberlake)
“D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)” — Shawn Carter & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer, Paul Leka, Janko Nilovic & Dave Sucky, songwriters) (Jay-Z)
“Run This Town” — Shawn Carter, R. Fenty, M. Riddick, Kanye West & E. Wilson, songwriters (Athanasios Alatas, songwriter) (Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West)
Best Rap Album:
Universal Mind Control — Common
Relapse — Eminem
R.O.O.T.S. — Flo Rida
The Ecstatic — Mos Def
The Renaissance — Q-Tip
Posted 3 months, 2 weeks ago at 9:00 am. 1 comment
Monarchy designer ERIC KIM is absolutely the BEST!!! This line (for men & women) and all its beautiful pieces are glammed-up with an underground edge. Blazers with T-shirts & silk/linen scarves, jeans with dress shirts and skinny belts, suits with slim-sneakers or sandals – Of course I incorporated that style into my own wardrobe for years (minus the heavy price tag of course!) The Monarchy Collection is sought after by the Hollywood elite and Manhattan’s socialites. I love, love, love, Eric Kim and the Monarchy Collection…
CAROLINA HERRERA was impeccable (as usual) with her classic styles for her 2010 Collection. Carolina’s line(s) are so sleek, chic, and feminine. The fabrics are beautiful and can be easily worn since the color she chooses compliment all skin tones. Of course, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG brought me to new heights of excitement for all of her designs for women. It’s better to show you what I mean than tell you…
How incredible is Donna Karan for her signature collection and DKNY? For me, She’s a New Yorker’s New Yorker! Everybody looks beautiful and amazing wearing Donna Karan’s Designs. She knows how to dress real-size people AND make them look fabulous. I always say, “Designers dress models, but Donna Karan dresses people.” (smile) http://www.donnakaran.com/ NARCISO RODRIGUEZ was just as amazing and his fashions appealed to everyone, especially to all the women in attendance who WANTED their Narciso Rodriguez very wearable pieces. Take a look…
HOWEVER, Francisco A. Rosario for his own Far Couture S/S 2010 Collection delivered all the edge and drama everyone was waiting to see. The night was filled with a heavy buzz as celebutantes and socialites held their breath as the doors swung open revealing couture clothes in all their deliciousness. “H. Luiz Presents…” was there to cover the event (along with Partner Henry P.) and to get a front-row glimpse of the incredible clothes that Francisco brings to LIFE. The line was aptly named “Blood, Sweat, and Tears” and you can see ALL of that in the quality and workmanship of each and every piece. If interested (and we know you are) in any of the designs, contact Francisco at www.farcouture.comand tell them H. Luiz Presents sent you. video management, video solution, video streaming
Posted 5 months, 3 weeks ago at 3:37 pm. 15 comments
