ROSEMONT, Ill.-- The Nigerian-born, London-bred singer Sade [ tickets ] Adu played the second of two sold-out nights at Rosemont's Allstate Arena on Tuesday (8/7) to a multi-racial, dressed-to-impress, primarily 30-something crowd.

Still something of an enigma after 17 years as a star, Sade continues to make vital, complex R&B that defies comparison, addressing heartache with a sophistication and worldliness that’s anything but hollow. American audiences in particular have taken to the smoky-voiced chanteuse, and her highly anticipated summer U.S. tour has been extended.

Appearing from behind a gauzy curtain across which video projections occasionally played, Sade, her besuited 5-piece band, and pair of back-up singers launched into “Cherish the Day” from her 1992 album "Love Deluxe." Backed by longtime collaborators and bandmates Stuart Matthewman (guitar, saxophone), Andrew Hale (keyboards), and Paul Spencer Denman (bass), Sade (once a student of fashion design) was a stunning presence in a pink Geisha-girl dress.

The singer, smoothly animated and spontaneous, often broke into minimal steps with her towering male singers while Matthewman punctuated the set with wah-wah-pedaled R&B riffs and lounge-lizard saxophone solos. Mustachioed Matthewman and Denman (who looks a bit like a pirate with a shaven head and long ponytail) stalked the stage with style, snapping fingers, switching guitars clandestinely. The band’s seventh tune--played as the image of a mirror ball was projected behind it--was an upbeat rendition of “Smooth Operator,” the hit that launched the singer’s career. At the end of the song, Matthewman led the band on an extended jam.

Touches of Spanish acoustic guitar augmented the more intimate tunes. Reggae and Cuban elements also seeped in. But for the most part, Sade’s sound was a sleek, modern version of Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield’s classic soul. Sade dedicated “The Sweetest Gift” to her daughter. “Immigrant,” which was accompanied by projections of young African men travelling by boat, was dedicated to her father.

The show closed with an epic “No Ordinary Love” followed by a comforting “By Your Side.” For the encore, the band--now clad in sleeveless black for a Cuban look while Sade opted for colors--played “Flow”, then brought the house down with "It's Only Love That Gets You Through." Rather than make a showbiz exit, Sade informally sang a few somber and beautiful lines on suffering and pain before bidding a final farewell.

Click here for Sade tour information.