promise is the second studio album by english band sade. it was first released in the united kingdom on 4 november 1985 by epic records and in the united states on 15 november 1985 by portrait records. recording for the album began in february and lasted until august 1985. the band co-produced the album with the same team of producers they worked with on their debut album, "diamond life", including robin millar, mike pela and ben rogan. the album's title comes from a letter from adu's father where he refers to the "promise of hope" to recover from cancer.