It’s not that Kafe Blue is typically short on musical energy, but vocalist Aneela Maraj-Wallace, her cast of accomplished singers and The Smooth Operators Band brought fresh vitality to the music of Nigerian-British pop icon Sade Adu on July 12.
In her first production of this kind, Aneela kept her personal wardrobe crew, the band, her supporting acts and the audience busy from start to finish, while she, together with three other vocalists, delivered 15 of Sade’s biggest hits.
Opening with a solo rendition of Love Is Stronger Than Pride, Aneela made way for the equally energetic T’Nice D’Abreau, who was followed by singing sisters LeAndra and Tylah Ariel.
Aneela also returned to interpret Feel No Pain and Jezebel. The audience probably counted as many as six different outfits donned by the producer/songstress.
Led by Kenneth Baptiste on keys, with expert support from guitarist Dean Williams, Tony Paul on saxophone, drummer Richard Joseph and veteran bassist Russell Durity, the band delivered near-perfect accompaniment.
Aneela’s lively renditions were matched by T’Nice, whose performances included By Your Side, Hang On to Your Love, Cherish the Day, No Ordinary Love and the 1994 hit The Sweetest Taboo.
Tylah Ariel was equally competent on Never As Good As The First Time and Kiss of Life, and as a backing vocalist for the others. But it was the finely tuned voice of soprano LeAndra that, inarguably, reverberated longest at the end of the two-hour show.
LeAndra displayed her extraordinary skills on Paradise, Pearls and a memorable rendition of Is It a Crime, accompanied by Tony Paul.
The show closed with the full band and the complement of vocalists delivering a final flourish with Your Love Is King. Sade reigned at Kafe Blue on July 12.
