Reviving Sade: Kristine W's Electrifying "Smooth Operator"

Kristine W and SadePhoto byKrisine W photo by Kirby Banner. Sade photo by Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images

Dance music artist Kristine W hopes her version of “Smooth Operator” might introduce Sade to a whole new generation. “I hired a DJ to spin for my son’s high school graduation party and when he played the original ‘Smooth Operator’, the juniors and seniors had never heard of the song and did not even know who Sade was,” she exclaims. “It blew my mind that such an amazing artist might be lost to history. Not if I can help it.”

Kristine W, herself, is a longtime smooth operator. Named the 8th Greatest Dance Artist of All Time by Billboard Magazine, Miss W began recording pop, R&B and dance tracks in the nineties. “Feel What You Want” was her first single to reach #1 on Billboard in 1994. Since then, Kristine W has had a steady flow of chart toppers. “Stars,” from her 2019 album, Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies was her 17th Billboard #1. She now ties Mariah Carey for the sixth-most No. 1s since the chart’s August 28, 1976, inception.

Miss W hails from Pasco, Washington and even competed in the Miss America pageant as Miss Washington. She placed first in the talent competition that year and went on to pursue her educational and musical dreams in Las Vegas. There, she found success headlining her own show at the Las Vegas Hilton, winning several 'Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year' awards and being officially sanctioned as the entertainer who performed more live shows at the Las Vegas Hilton than any other performer in its history, including Elvis. The award led to June 28th being officially sanctioned Kristine W Day in the state of Nevada.

Sade's "Smooth Operator" was a staple in her Vegas show, where she would perform medleys of her favorite artists like Donna Summer and Prince. “Sade's drummer, Prescott Ellison, even auditioned for my Las Vegas show in the mid 90's and I hired him on the spot,” she recalls.

Of the single and her decision to record it, Kristine muses: “I think we have all met guys who fancy themselves as smooth operators. I know I have a time or two or three. Smooth talkers who put up a front of being successful business men, educated and well- traveled. In Vegas, you see a lot of them in the casinos all dressed up, hitting on gals half their age, gambling, putting on their high roller shows."

Photo byFly Again Music

She says her code name for the men was Johnny Cologne because "you could smell them when they walked by,” she laughs.

For her rendition of “Smooth Operator”, Kristine W worked with Mark Matson (Emoticon), a master at producing songs that combine electro chill and jazz elements. It was important for Kristine that their chill version keep the integrity and vibe of the original.

“There is such a cohesive energy and musicality to the (Sade) original and you can tell a lot of love and time was put into making it,” Kristine W continues. She feels similarly about Sade’s entire Diamond Life album. “The album is a treasure and it inspired me to record my Straight Up with a Twist jazz album live in the studio with a band. It’s an arduous task, let me tell you, but anything worthwhile takes a lot of work.”

Photo byPhoto by Korby Banner

The remix package of Kristine W’s “Smooth Operator” includes five versions of the track with a selection of house music styles that will fit into all DJ's playlists. The James Hurr and Block @ Crown radio mixes capture the deep house energy that is being played at major music festivals today. Mark Picchiotti delivers a futuristic tech house version while the Matt Consola Piano Tech Mix carries a distinct disco party flavor and Dario Xavier’s version is tribal-afro house.

“I’m very proud of the remixers who brought their A games to honor our Sade,” Kristine W says.

Kristine W’s “Smooth Operator” is available now on all digital retailers. For more information, visit her website at kristinew.com.