Sade

Sade's plush voice and sultry music carry a belief in romance as a necessary pleasure, even a healer. (Her promise to remain "By Your Side" is almost like a sexy lullaby.) And is there any denying that the Nigerian-born songstress seems to know what she's talking about?

The long, lush tracks concocted by Sade and band work a mojo that puts her in her own category. This groove is hers, even when she steps out on a rare cover ("Why Can't We Live Together"). That self-assurance might be the finest thing about this exquisite woman.

True caring stands at the heart of Sade's music (another remake, "Please Send Me Someone to Love," is about more than seeking a lover). It's her sense of realness (along with the promise of brilliant nights) that makes the music stand up for her fans.

Almost always sultry, sometimes nearly heart-stoppingly quiet, Sade Adu has long been one of music's most seductive artists, her occasional absences from the scene adding credence to the line about the heart growing fonder. Make her part of your romance starter kit: red wine, candles, some high-thread-count sheets, and these syrupy grooves, drawn from a small but mighty, mighty catalog of albums. Whether you consider her jazz, R&B, or pop, Sade's style is all about the midnight hour and everything that goes down therein.