On this day in music history: May 10, 1988 - “Stronger Than Pride”, the third studio album by Sade is released (UK release is on May 3, 1988). Produced by Sade, Ben Rogan and Mike Pela, it is recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, The Bahamas, Studio Marcadet in Paris, France and Studio Miraval in Le Val, Var, France from Mid 1987 - Early 1988. Coming after the back to back multi-platinum success of “Diamond Life” and “Promise”, it is Sade’s first new release in over two and a half years. Exhausted from the cycle of recording and touring behind those albums, the band take a much needed break. When they do reconvene to begin work on their next album, it is done at a more relaxed and leisurely pace. Featuring more of the bands trademark smooth jazz/R&B sound, it vividly reflects locales in which it was recorded. The initial sessions take place in the Bahamas, at the studio owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. Following these sessions, Sade continue work on “Stronger Than Pride” in Paris and in the south of France. After releasing their first two albums just a year apart (ten months in the US), it also marks the beginning of the band taking longer and longer hiatuses between recording and touring. It spins off four hit singles including “Paradise” (#1 R&B, #16 Pop), “Nothing Can Come Between Us” (#3 R&B), and “Turn My Back On You” (#12 R&B). The album is remastered and reissued on CD in 2000, with a limited edition numbered audiophile LP pressed on 180 gram vinyl released by Audio Fidelity Records in 2014. Music On Vinyl also reissues the title on vinyl the same year as the AF LP, and is the current issue in print. “Stronger Than Pride” peaks at number seven on the Billboard Top 200, number three on the R&B album chart, and is certified 3x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
gracieabrams
amandla
stormborns
areudirty
origamiaround
