Sade’s music is both enigmatic and plainspoken. The revered vocalist is known and loved for her ethereal vocals and smooth jams, including the hits “Smooth Operator,” “Sweetest Taboo” and “No Ordinary Love,” that have made her one of England’s top- selling female artists.
Sade’s sixth record in 26 years, “Soldier of Love,” was released earlier this week, fittingly tied to Valentine’s Day, which is an easy time to celebrate the 51-year-old singer-songwriter who has sold more than 50 million records.
Local songbird Venus Cruz is celebrating all things Sade with “Sade: Replay,” a live tribute to the artist tonight at the Soiled Dove. We spoke with Cruz about the timing of her show, Sade’s sexy songs and why guys will score points for taking their ladyfriends to the show tonight.
Q: Why Sade?
A: Sade’s voice is airy and ephemeral. But her sound is smoky, heavy and vulnerable at the same time because the songs are about love.
Q: Why Valentine’s Day weekend?
A: Oh, I think she’s perfect for it — her songs are thick and passionate and melancholy, and unabashedly so.
Q: What is Sade’s sexiest song and why?
A: For me, it’s probably “Is It a Crime,” which has highs and lows and breaks and pauses that come back to the question in the title. One of the lines is, “Time jumps and it ripples like the deepest ocean.” I also like “Never as Good as the First Time,” which is kind of about the naturalness of sexuality.
Q: Sade’s an inimitable singer. Tell me how you’re approaching this night.
A: I won’t attempt to sound like Sade. My job as a vocalist is to do my own take, even when I’m singing someone else’s song. Everything has been written and said and sung before. It’s how you choose to deliver it that matters.
Q: Why is this night out the best Valentine’s date option for guys who have yet to decide?
A: I read that when Sade busted onto the scene in the ’80s, there was a spike in birth rates. No — it’s a great venue; women love Sade; it’ll show her you have a soft side. And it’s only $10.
Q: You’re playing with members of the Future Jazz Project and Archetype. Tell us about the band and let us in on the night’s set list.
A: (Future Jazz Project) has become a collective of people. In the many years that it’s been around, we’ve become mostly, if not all, a fully improvisational band. Every band member has a project or a band on the side. Archetype includes some of Denver’s rising and talented players. It’s a new band I’m part of now. As far as our set list, it’s all over the place — live instruments and improvised playing, along with dance remixes, (drum machine), sampling and sequencing. It’s our own take on this music.
Q: Sade’s latest record is now in stores. Will you include any of the new material?
A: We won’t be including any of her new material just yet. If I book this show at another venue, I will do a completely different set. You know, she’s 51? For this round we’re exploring her previous music. Some really great stuff there. I hope someday I can say the same.
Ricardo Baca: 303-954-1394 or rbaca@ ; @RVRB on Twitter
