2020s 179 Items

Love Deluxe is the fourth studio album by the British band Sade, released on October 26, 1992. The album is widely regarded as one of the band’s most critically acclaimed works, featuring a smooth, soulful blend of R&B, jazz, and sophisti-pop, with lyrics that explore themes of love, heartbreak, and introspection. Fronted by the captivating vocals of Sade Adu, the band created an atmospheric, emotionally rich album that remains one of their signature works.

Love Deluxe marked a return after a four-year hiatus following their previous album, Stronger Than Pride (1988). The band continued to refine their signature smooth, sensual sound while introducing new elements, such as more pronounced soul and trip-hop influences.
The album was both a commercial and critical success, peaking at #3 on the US Billboard 200 and earning platinum certifications in multiple countries. Its success solidified Sade's position as one of the most important and enduring acts in contemporary music.
Lyrically, the album revolves around themes of love in all its forms—romantic, painful, and self-reflective. It balances deep vulnerability with strength, as Sade Adu's mesmerizing voice delivers the poetic lyrics with grace and subtlety.

The album combines elements of smooth jazz, soul, R&B, and ambient music, creating a lush and atmospheric soundscape.
The production is minimalist yet sophisticated, with the band opting for understated instrumentation that allows Sade Adu’s vocals to take center stage. The music is moody and introspective, often using spare arrangements to highlight emotion.
There are hints of early trip-hop in some of the tracks, with slower beats and a focus on deep bass and textured sound design, particularly in songs like "Feel No Pain."

Key Tracks and Highlights:
"No Ordinary Love" – One of Sade’s most iconic songs, this track features a mesmerizing bassline, lush synths, and Sade’s haunting vocals. The song explores the pain and intensity of unrequited love. Its atmospheric production and emotional depth made it one of the standout singles from the album.
"Feel No Pain" – A politically charged track, this song addresses themes of poverty and social struggle, reflecting on the effects of unemployment and hardship on families. It features a groovy bassline and more prominent use of percussion, adding a subtle funk influence to the smooth jazz sound.
"Kiss of Life" – A breezy, upbeat song compared to some of the darker tracks on the album, "Kiss of Life" is a love song that feels light and joyful. The smooth, soulful arrangement and optimistic lyrics make it one of the most uplifting moments on the album.
"Cherish the Day" – A standout track known for its hypnotic guitar riff and understated groove. This song is both romantic and meditative, with Sade’s voice soaring above the dreamy instrumental backdrop, expressing devotion and love.
"Bullet Proof Soul" – One of the more emotionally complex tracks on the album, "Bullet Proof Soul" reflects on the aftermath of heartbreak and the armor people build to protect themselves from further pain. The song’s slow, sultry rhythm and melancholic lyrics add to its emotional weight.
"Pearls" – A powerful, introspective ballad that takes on a more global perspective, dealing with the suffering of women in the developing world. Sade Adu’s voice is filled with emotion as she reflects on themes of sacrifice and hardship. The sparse arrangement, featuring strings and soft percussion, complements the poignancy of the lyrics.
"Like a Tattoo" – This track is a quiet, intimate ballad that deals with memory, regret, and the lasting impact of love. The acoustic guitar and Sade’s delicate vocals give the song a fragile yet beautiful quality.

Love and Heartbreak: Many of the songs, such as "No Ordinary Love" and "Cherish the Day," explore the complexities of romantic relationships, touching on themes of devotion, longing, and heartbreak. The lyrics often reflect on love’s power to both uplift and wound.
Resilience and Strength: Tracks like "Bullet Proof Soul" and "Feel No Pain" delve into themes of emotional resilience and survival, both on a personal level (in love and heartbreak) and in the face of societal struggles like poverty.
Global and Social Concerns: "Feel No Pain" and "Pearls" reflect on broader social issues, such as economic inequality and global suffering, adding a layer of socio-political consciousness to the album.
Production and Sound:
The production on Love Deluxe is both sophisticated and restrained. Stuart Matthewman (guitar, saxophone), Paul S. Denman (bass), and Andrew Hale (keyboards) work together to create a cohesive sound that relies on subtle, detailed arrangements.
The use of space in the production is key to the album’s atmosphere. The arrangements are minimal, allowing Sade’s voice to carry much of the emotional weight. This approach highlights the introspective nature of the songs and gives them a cinematic quality.
The instrumentation features a mix of acoustic and electric instruments, often layering guitars, bass, and keyboards to create lush textures. There is also a strong emphasis on rhythm, with percussive elements adding depth to the slower, groove-based tracks.

Upon release, Love Deluxe received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising its emotional depth, elegant production, and Sade Adu’s vocal performance. The album’s timeless quality has made it a favorite among fans and critics alike.
It was lauded for continuing to push the boundaries of sophisti-pop and smooth jazz, blending these genres with elements of trip-hop, R&B, and world music.
The album was commercially successful, selling millions of copies worldwide, and it has since been recognized as one of Sade’s best works. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Legacy and Impact:
Love Deluxe remains one of Sade’s most iconic albums, with tracks like "No Ordinary Love" and "Cherish the Day" becoming staples in their live performances and enduring as fan favorites.
The album’s influence extends beyond the soul and R&B genres, with artists in neo-soul and alternative R&B citing it as an inspiration. The album’s minimalist production, emphasis on mood and texture, and themes of emotional complexity have influenced a generation of artists, including Maxwell, D'Angelo, and The Weeknd.
"No Ordinary Love" has been covered and remixed by numerous artists over the years, further cementing its place in popular culture.

Love Deluxe is a beautifully crafted album that captures Sade at the peak of their creative powers. Its blend of sensuality, introspection, and sophistication makes it one of the defining albums of the early 1990s. With its timeless themes of love and resilience, the album continues to resonate with listeners today and remains a cornerstone in Sade’s illustrious career.

Lovingly curated 2LP set of the original album plus bonus tracks… all pressed on solid white 140-gram vinyl. For this limited-edition 2LP 2024 release the original UK CD deluxe version of ‘Tough Love’ features a whole side of bonus mixes from Cyril Hahn, Shift K3Y, Alex Adair, and Tcts and also the stunning ‘Meet Me In The Middle’, taken from the soundtrack to ’50 Shades Of Grey’.

Time to get freaky… again! Mommy Long Legs’ Life Rips and Assholes were first released in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Almost 10 years later, the critically acclaimed albums are set to hit shelves on vinyl for the very first time. The records, featuring newly remastered audio, are available on both pink and black vinyl.

Time to get freaky… again! Mommy Long Legs’ Life Rips and Assholes were first released in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Almost 10 years later, the critically acclaimed albums are set to hit shelves on vinyl for the very first time. The records, featuring newly remastered audio, are available on both pink and black vinyl.

The beach overlooks an ocean glistening radiantly with the emerald glow of Jintana & Emeralds’ debut album Destiny, arriving for the first time on vinyl format with P-vine Records. Back in 2014, the band spun heads with their dream-like odes to the doo-wop and surf records of the sixties. It’s also a record that will strike a chord with fans of 80s indie pop, c86 compilations and all those who share the joy of looking back on a golden age of music.

Celebrating 10 years of global superstar Ed Sheeran’s second album “Multiply”, styled as “x”. The album was an international commercial success, peaking at number 1 in 15 countries, topping the UK Albums Chart and US Billboard Top 200, and the top 5 in seven other countries.The album achieved multi-platinum status worldwide, and was the best selling album in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the UK. The album achieved the status of the most streamed album in the world in 2014 on Spotify, and became the third biggest selling album in the UK in the 2010s. “Multiply” is a testament to Ed’s songwriting and artistry, demonstrating his ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with infectious melodies across a range of musical styles. Five singles were released from the album; Sing, Don’t, Thinking Out Loud, Bloodstream (a Rudimental collaboration) and Photograph. Thinking Out Loud and Photograph have both become timeless classics that resonate with all ages, and continue to soundtrack countless weddings, proms and other heartfelt moments between loved ones. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the album, we are releasing a CD, black 2LP vinyl and green EcoRecord vinyl and a CD zine with 9 bonus tracks, with inverted artwork. The bonus tracks have never been released on vinyl before, however Make It Rain was released on the Sons of Anarchy, Vol. 4 soundtrack, and the All Of The Stars was released on The Fault In Our Stars soundtrack, but have never been part of an Ed Sheeran release.