It's only her sixth studio album since she first arrived with "Diamond Life" in 1984, the same year Madonna released "Like a Virgin." The singers have led dramatically different lives since - with the fiercely private Sade not only refusing to star in terrible movies, make out with Britney Spears or take up kabbalah, but also withdrawing from the spotlight completely after touring her last release, 2000's "Lovers Rock," which itself took eight years to make.

"I think for Madonna it's the fame," Sade said. "For me it's always been about the music. I've never associated myself with other singers, certainly not female singers. I just aspire to pick people up. That's my ambition."

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