Eight years since the breakout album, Sweetback, the album Stage [2] breaks into different ground. The vocalists present in the previous album, namely Maxwell and Amel Larrieux, are absent from this album. The groove here is a bit edgier in some places- more earthy and less ethereal, which may offset some fans while garnering others.

The Aya track Lover was the initial release which predated the release of the album, and with the eight years of waiting for this release, this song was a welcome change from the mundane. Upon listening to the album in it's entirety however, Aya's vocals, which starts out sweet and simple ultimately saturate the album. Additional vocals in some of the songs help break the theme somewhat. Mountain stands out because of additional vocals from Byron Stingily, one of the founding vocalists of the house movement. On the flipside, Love is The Word, smartly graced with the flow of Ladybug Mecca from Digable Planets, is overtaken by Aya's vocals, thereby blending into the rest of the album.

A welcome change of pace breaks some of the commonality of the album. Mark Anthony Thompson, known here as Chocolate Genius, is the avante-garde standout on this album, both in lyricism and vocal contructs. Voodoo Breath (Master's Love) starts the album out on a strong note:

If I light the wick can you handle it?
My fuse your only guide
The sheets are wool, the tank is full
Bust the Marvin out, let's glide.

Tracks like Circles , which starts out with simple instrumentation and vocals reminiscent of Bob Dylan, crescendos into one of the finest tracks which defies any classification, definitively accentuated by Stuart Matthewman's guitar solo.

Under pressure, some good things break
I need to find a brand new mistake

In this circle I am turning
Now you're turning too
Everything is beautiful
Living without proof

Even Jesus Girl , which has the more mainstream vocals from Chocolate Genius and also with expected instrumentation, is a standout. Instrumentals, like the guitar-laced Blue Heights, and the sublime Shining Hour, are welcome additions.

Ultimately, upon repeated listens, the album grows into a welcome (albeit long-overdue) musical soundscape. Those wanting more of the jazzy vibes always given by the group known as Sade may be dissapointed, but if you're willing to open your mind up to a different type of vibe, then give it a listen.

Use exponent to get to the next power. you'll be glad you did.