Album Reviews
Sade
`Soldier of Love'
(SonyBMG)
Sade makes a huge comeback with its first album of new work in 10 years. ``Soldier of Love'' is old-school R&B and jazz at its best, dominated by ballads and acoustic tracks about love. Lead singer and songwriter Sade Adu seduces listeners with her smoky vocals in this 10-track album, backed by a band that puts in a solid effort.
The first single ``Soldier of Love'' lingers in your ears with its haunting beats, while ``Babyfather'' offers some reggae. ``Morning Bird'' is the standout track, with poetic lyrics set to a sparse piano and percussion melody. Overall, the album is beautiful in its simplicity. The band's minimalist approach appears to have been embraced by many, since the album topped the Billboard album charts during Valentine's Day weekend.
/ Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Chicago
`The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition'
(Warner Music Korea)
Chicago celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007, releasing a two-disc greatest hits album. However, it was only released in Korea earlier this month in time for Chicago's concert.
The album is packed with 30 songs, showing Chicago's blend of pop, rock, jazz and R&B, throughout their career, from Chicago Transit Authority (1969) to Chicago XXX. Songs include ``Colour My World,'' ``If You Leave Me Now,'' ``Hard to Say I'm Sorry,'' and ``You're the Inspiration.'' While tracks have been remastered, these are the shorter versions released for radio play, and not the original album versions.
David Bowie
`A Reality Tour'
David Bowie was no doubt one of the most creative forces in pop music in the '70s and '80s, but he has been absent in the music scene in recent years. ``A Reality Tour'' is a double CD with 33 remastered tracks from concerts recorded on Nov. 22 and 23, 2003 in Dublin, Ireland. The DVD was earlier released in 2004.
Bowie's set list is a mix of classics with a fresh twist and includes ``Rebel, Rebel,'' ``All the Young Dudes,'' ``The Man Who Sold the World,'' ``Fame,'' and ``Ashes to Ashes,'' and newer songs ``New Killer Star'' and ``The Loneliest Guy.'' The 63-year-old Bowie is in his element at the concert, giving fans an exuberant and memorable performance. It's been seven years since Bowie released an album, and this CD will no doubt make his fans clamor for his return.