Sade - Is It A Crime (Epic)

After the almost boppy "Sweetest Taboo", Sade returns to her more familiar moody style. "Is It A Crime" is stirring stuff. Previewed at Live Aid, it gives Sade's most mournful vocals a chance to shine, alongside some dramatic brass. The mellow format Ms Adu works in could become limiting, but right now she's got the market in late night listening cornered. This won't harm her bank balance either. (Karen Swayne, No 1, January 11, 1986)

Can hardly blame old "shimmering" Sade herself for this, but I can no longer hear one of her records without it conjuring up a ghastly visions of supposedly sophisticated wine bars, young executives with car stereos and trendy parents having dinner parties. This one, which seems to go on absolutely forever, is no exception. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, January 15, 1986)

Sade - The Sweetest Taboo (Epic)

If 1985 is the year of Madonna then, in Britain, 1984 was Sade's patch. Having reaped maximum mileage from the excellent Diamond Life set, Ms. Adu's long awaited follow up 45 sounds safe. It's a fair helping of more of the same. Not really taboo, more a love song addressed directly to its subject and wrapped around a light jazz arrangement in which all the ingredients fall into place on second or third listening. You can't expect Sade to suddenly metamorphose into Miriam Makeba (famous South African jazz singer) or someone, but her music tends to conjure up a being somewhere-else feeling. Still, what would the hairdressing profession have done without her? (Max Bell, No 1, October 12, 1985)

The habitual, luxuriant warble over a snappy backing. Doesn't appear to have much of a hook, though. Ambles along aimlessly and evidently gets lost at the crossroads. Ah well, it's easy on the ears. (Lesley O'Toole, Record Mirror, October 5, 1985)

Sade - When Am I Going To Make A Living (Epic)

I used to think Sade was one big hype - even before she got a recording contract people were crooning how stupendous she was and her face was being splashed across the glossy mags. But then she made a record...
"Your Love Is King" and now "When Am I Going To Make A Living" have proved her promise. The current single is smooth, soulful and exceptionally honest. Truly this lady has class. (Frank Hopkinson, No 1, May 19, 1984)

A classic, and Sade makes singing (and writing) one sound positively effortless. A cheering song of optimism in the face of hardship with a chorus - 'We're hungry but we won't give in' - that should be sung from the rooftops. Only beaten to Single Of The Fortnight after a photo finish, I can tell you. As to the question of the title, I don't think you'll have any problems now, girl. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, May 10, 1984)

'From now on!' should be the answer to the question posed in the title. This powerful follow-up to their equally strong debut merits their establishment as a natural treasure. It basically carries the same immediately identifiable sound of Sade, though its feel is determined where "Your Love Is King" was romantic. It carries a stamp of quality all over it. (Pedro, Record Mirror, May 19, 1984)