This week, we are joined by cultural critic Ernest Hardy. Oliver first got to know Ernest through his remarkable writing in the LA Weekly and other outlets, some of which has been compiled into his Blood Beats Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 collections. For this episode, he chose Sade's Love Deluxe, which came out 25 years ago this fall. Ernest's deep love and appreciation for Sade was readily apparent to both Morgan and Oliver and it produced what we think is one of the most insightful episodes we've taped thus yet. We really loved this episode, we hope you do too.

Check out bonus content from this episode exclusively at heatrockspod.com!

More on Sade and Love Deluxe:

• Album review in Pitchfork.
• Producer Stuart Matthewman's Ebony interview on the making of the album.

More on Ernest Hardy:

• Blood Beats Vol. 1
• Blood Beats Vol. 2
• LA Weekly archive
• Website

Show Tracklisting:

• Sade: No Ordinary Love
• Massive Attack: Blue Lines
• Smith and Mighty: Too Late
• Sade: King of Sorrow
• Sade: Pearls
• Funk Brothers: Since I Lost You (Instrumental)
• Sade: Cherish the Day
• Sade: Feel No Pain
• Sade: When Am I Going to Make a Living
• Sade: Clean Heart
• Sade: Pearls (Live, Hollywood Bowl) Sade: Bulletproof Soul
• Sade: Somewhere In My Sadness
• Sade: Kiss of Life

If you're not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!