Sailor Jane releases eloquent tribute album for 2025. No Original Dub is a collection of the best classics from Sade, re-imagined by Sailor Jane in full reggae fashion.
Released via Easy Star Records— No Ordinary Dub, produced by Michael Goldwasser, is a compelling and unique listening experience that beautifully blends Sade classics with reggae rhythms.
As a lover of all music, both Sade and reggae hold a special place in Sailor Jane’s heart, transporting listeners to a space of peace and nostalgia. The tracks are hypnotic and romantic. Beginning with No Ordinary Love, the album makes you float with Sailor Jane’s beautiful voice, and the rhythm will set you free. Lovers Rock has an oceanic feel—warm and soothing. Smooth Operator is an uplifting dance party anthem, enticing and embracing elements of ska music. Sweetest Taboo enters your soul with its infectious beats and enthralling dance vibes, as Sailor Jane brings her reggae style to honor Sade. The entire album revives cherished memories while creating a fresh, new atmosphere. Sailor Jane encapsulates her style, staying true to the essence of reggae and her authenticity.
The Pier (TP): What sort of impact does Sade have on your music?
Sailor Jane (SJ): I’ve been a huge fan of Sade for many years. I love how she subtly exudes class and sensuality without doing or showing too much. Her musical style is elegant and simple, which translates into timelessness and class. This has been a major influence on my own style—something I truly admire and aspire to.
TP: Do you think that you have done Sade justice with No Ordinary Dub?
SJ: I didn’t set out to imitate Sade—there’s no way anyone could touch her level of talent. I set out to create art, to reimagine her songs in a fresh way for this new time and era. I approached it musically with an original perspective and feel. I did not attempt to imitate her vocally. I only hope that our work is received as the highest form of flattery rather than just an attempt at imitation.
TP: What was the process like working on this album?
SJ: It was a major learning experience. Michael Goldwasser is a true professional and a creative genius. Watching him navigate the studio and work with musicians over those few weeks was inspiring. His time management skills are impeccable, and he brought out the full potential of all the equipment and musicians involved.
On a personal note, I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer during the recording sessions. Shortly after we finished tracking the instrumentation, I had to begin addressing my diagnosis. I completed all the vocals while going through chemotherapy. Recording this album gave me something positive to look forward to during a time when I could have easily slipped into hopelessness. This was no ordinary session.
TP: Why did you choose to remake Sade’s songs in a reggae-dub style?
SJ: I’ve been listening to Sade for a long time, and to me, her rhythms always seemed to carry that same essence that reggae music embodies. It was a sound I conceptualized in my head years before starting this project. During the recording of my last single, Into You, I collaborated with several Jamaican musicians and finally heard the sound I was envisioning. That’s when I knew I had found the right players for this project.
TP: After this album, what’s next for Sailor Jane musically?
SJ: I’m currently in Jamaica writing and recording original music in collaboration with local producers. I plan to release an original album later this year.
TP: How would you rate your 2024 output musically?
SJ: I released a few singles in 2024 from the No Ordinary Dub project. I hope to release several singles that I’ve been sitting on since last year in 2025. Moving through my health obstacles delayed the release of No Ordinary Dub, so I held off on any original works until that project was completed. Now, I’m ready. I’ve been working hard, and I believe 2025 will be a productive year.
TP: What are some of the things you are looking to improve this year as a recording artist?
SJ: I want to do some co-writes this year. In the past, I’ve always written all of my original songs alone. I think collaboration in a co-writing setting will allow me to explore new ideas and branch out creatively. It takes you outside your comfort zone and challenges you, which leads to growth.
TP: Is No Ordinary Dub your first album?
SJ: Yes, No Ordinary Dub is my first full-length album. I’ve released singles in the past, but never a complete project like this.
TP: How often do you visit Jamaica?
SJ: I’ve been living in Jamaica since February 2024. I love it here. There’s so much music and talent everywhere you look. I’m thrilled to finally connect with the culture and the people from where reggae music was born. I’ve been a huge fan of the genre for so long, and this experience has been a dream come true. Jamaica nice.
TP: What is the major difference, to you, between reggae music on the island and reggae music in America?
SJ: Without going too deep, I’d say the biggest difference is that in Jamaica, reggae music always sits in a certain rhythmic pocket. There’s a hypnotic connection between the drum and bass— it’s like a meditation. Many American bands attempt to recreate that feel, but it often evolves into something different. Not to say it’s good or bad— it just becomes its own genre. I think we need more subgenres of reggae to distinguish between roots reggae from Jamaica and what I’d call “progressive reggae” in the U.S. It’s an important distinction to recognize.
