The Early Broadcasts, 1984-1986

Throughout the mid- to late-80s, Sade was the smoothest of operators in British soul music, her unmistakable sophisti-pop sound scoring hits on both sides of the Atlantic and throughout Europe. As this collection of British and German TV performances shows, she could recreate those slick records live on stage with ease. Sade's appearance at Alabama-Halle, Munich, on 22 October 1984, catches her riding that first wave of success, delivering intimate, jazz-imbued performances of her breakthrough single, 'Your Love Is Kind', and silky signature tune, 'Smooth Operator', alongside further highlights from her glittering debut album, Diamond Life. The hits continued to roll forth with Sade's follow-up record, 1985's Promise (hear 'Is It a Crime?' delivered with palpable drama in front of the TV cameras), while a documentary special, originally aired in 2000, confirms her place as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century.