If you’re a product of the eighties or prior, most likely you’ve never known a time without the ever prolific, soulful Sade and frankly, who would want to?

The Best of Sade is a 16-track masterpiece of some of her best work until 1992.

Released in 1994, the album went double platinum in the U.S., the United Kingdom and Italy, in addition to going platinum in nine other countries.

With her exotic beauty and captivating voice, Sade manages to cast a spell on any listener; however, I must admit, it’s “Never as Good as the First Time”. Somewhere around 1995, I stumbled across an old cassette tape in my dad’s study. As a young boy, anything that featured a beautiful woman on the cover piqued my interest although I can’t say much has changed since then. I rushed to put the cassette in my stereo and the first thing I heard were the horns and bass of “Is It a Crime”. Then I heard one of the most beautiful voices say, “This may come…this may come as some surprise, but I miss you.” I missed her too, yet I didn’t even know who she was.

It was Sade’s sophomore album, Promise, released ten years earlier in 1985, that quickly catapulted her to the top of my list of favorite singers. I thought to myself, “Why haven’t I heard this before, or of Sade, for that matter?” Perhaps, an even better question at the time would have been, “Who is Sade?” I wasn’t even sure of how to pronounce her name, until my dad came in the room and muttered something along the lines of, “Hooked on Sade, huh?” and that, I certainly was.

Helen Folasade Adu was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, to an African father and an English mother. Growing up, she’d listen to some of the best soul singers of her time like Ray Charles, Nina Simone and Marvin Gaye—artists who were able to capture an emotion, such as heartache or love, and force that feeling upon all who listened; a skill Sade also naturally possesses.

The effortless “Stronger Than Pride” fuses island beats, jazz and R&B into a timeless classic. Her dynamic handling of “Is It a Crime” is what caught my attention. The soft, gentle tone in the beginning is overrun with emotion as Sade pleads for a love lost. “Jezebel”, with its haunting appeal and the singer’s vulnerability evident in her voice, forces you to listen and take notice. But, of course, you should be doing that anyway. On “No Ordinary Love”, Sade’s voice oozes sex appeal, making it one of the best love-making songs ever (from what I’ve heard, at least). The lyrics to “Cherish the Day” fit perfectly with the deep, sensual musical accompaniment. “Pearls”, the jewel that closes this collection, is so full of emotion that I cried the first time I heard it.

I’m not entirely sure how one would classify Sade; so many influences are evident in her music. However, this is definitely a chill-out album to relax with your loved one and “Cherish the Day”.

Post Title Download: Sade – “Never as Good as the First Time” from The Best of Sade

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AIDS has already claimed the lives of over 25 million people. Unfortunately, many people with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) don’t even know they’re carrying it.

Fighting HIV/AIDS is a very important cause to me, having been one of the youngest members to serve on the Board of Directors of AIDS Alabama; I don’t personally know anyone with it, and I’d like to keep it that way.

Although there has been a lot of publicity about drug treatments which are prolonging some people’s lives, they don’t work for everyone and there is still no cure in sight. Moreover, young people are still becoming infected at alarmingly high rates. With no cure for AIDS, our only hope is prevention and in order to prevent, we must educate and raise awareness.

It’s up to each of us to take a stand against this epidemic, but first we must educate ourselves and get rid of the stigma surrounding those who are living with HIV/AIDS. It’s important that we keep talking about this issue because it’s not going away, yet thousands continue to die from this disease each day.

Post Title Download: Pink Floyd – “Keep Talking” from The Division Bell

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Norah Jones’ new album, The Fall, was released last week. It’s a slight departure from her past smooth, sultry offerings, but it’s also a great album showcasing Norah’s experimentation with a new sound and new collaborators.

She’s one of my favorite singer-songwriters of all-time, and her concert tour a couple of years ago was the first I’d ever attended. In honor of the new album, I’m resurrecting Sunday Share and spotlighting a few of my favorite Norah features.

Herbie Hancock – “Court and Spark” (ft. Norah Jones)
Norah shines on the album opener to the 2008 Album of the Year and homage to Joni Mitchell. I like Joni’s version, but I love Norah’s; she really makes it her own.
From River: The Joni Letters

Talib Kweli – “Soon the New Day” (ft. Norah Jones)
My favorite song from the album features Norah Jones on the hook. Coincidence?
I think not.
From Eardrum

Wax Poetic – “Angels” (ft. Norah Jones)
I saw the video on VH1 Soul around the time Norah’s debut album was released. That’s where it all began.
From Nublu Sessions

OutKast – “Take Off Your Cool” (ft. Norah Jones)
OutKast is, perhaps, my favorite duo in the history of duos. To have Norah Jones added to the mix only means greatness is guaranteed.
From Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

The Peter Malick Group – “Heart of Mine” (ft. Norah Jones)
This song was featured during the closing credits of the film, Runaway Jury. I liked the movie, but I’d watch it again just for the closing credits.
From New York City

Norah Jones – “I’ve Got to See You Again”
This is one of my favorite songs, and seeing Norah perform it live was amazing.
From Come Away with Me

Related posts:

1. Never as Good as the First Time
2. First Timers
3. You Make Me Sick

This has been my song of the moment for a minute. Check out the video for the title track of Robin Thicke’s upcoming album, Sex Therapy. Can’t wait to give it a listen.

Post Title Download: Robin Thicke – “Sex Therapy” from Sex Therapy

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Meet Jihae, a dark and sultry South Korean singer, and check out “My Love”, the first single from her upcoming release, Fire Burning Rain, scheduled for July 7.

Post Title Download: Jihae – “My Love” from Fire Burning Rain

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Animal Collective always has such off-the-wall videos, and the new one for “In the Flowers” is no exception. The track is one of my favorites from Merriweather Post Pavilion which was released earlier this year. Their new EP, Fall Be Kind, drops next week and includes the first legal Grateful Dead sample ever.

Post Title Download: Animal Collective -- “In the Flowers” from Merriweather Post Pavilion

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Gone are the days when “celebrities” dominated one particular area. They’re now setting their sights on controlling all forms of entertainment.

Take for instance, Leighton Meester. You’re probably asking, “WHO?!” But she’s an actress on Gossip Girl. I’ve never seen the show, so I can’t comment on how great an actress she is. One thing’s for sure, though: if this music video is any indication of her singing abilities, she’s not much of a singer. In fact, she doesn’t really sing with her monologue verses easily trumped by blue-eyed soul crooner Robin Thicke.

There have been many actors who’ve tried their hand at singing. Some have succeeded, but many make for a great punchline. My point is instead of trying to take over, go with what you know and do what you do well.

Post Title Download: Tears for Fears – “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” from Songs from the Big Chair

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I had called it a day and closed up shop here when Troy posted a comment that really motivated me to give it another go, particularly because it’s on a post about me “blogging” again.

I’ve been doing this for over a decade now, but back when I started it was known as keeping an online journal (shout-out to Angel). I’ve stopped and started again numerous times because as hard as I try to give it up, I can’t let it go.

It’s become a part of who I am.

Anyway, mom, I’m comin’ back.

Post Title Download: Citizen Cope – “Comin’ Back” from Citizen Cope

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Post Title Download: Gary Jules – “Mad World” from Donnie Darko

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Larry (from LBJ’s Brown Bag) and I have signed up to compete in the Men’s Health Total-Body Transformation Challenge. Larry lost over 50 pounds as a contestant in the Get Fit Challenge, and since making yourself accountable to a friend is a great way to stay on track, I’m confident that this will be a great success.

We kick things off Sunday, and I’m not really concerned with the grand prize. Living healthy and being in great shape would be prize enough for me.

Ladies, don’t feel left out: Women’s Health has something for you. Let’s do it!

Post Title Download: Heston – “Brand New You” from Storyteller

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