Another strange case is Remy Shand. Made a hugely successful debut for Motown in 2002, playing most of the instruments himself, and showed serious promise with his neo-soul songs. Then...nothing. I guess you could call him a one-hit wonder but there seemed to be more there than that.

I just found this: http://wheresremyshand.blogspot.com/

I don't like to feel proprietary over an artist's work but whats up with Gecko Turner? The Portuguese genius released two fantastic albums in 2006 and since then just remixes. Come back Gecko!!

It seems to me that the seclusion you're speaking about applies mainly to the media. As a music lover, I have never confused the various artists that I like with their art. I never even considered that Sade was GONE (in seclusion or anything). Whenever I want to hear her music (her art, not her life!), I plop on one of her CDs.

PS: It has been very difficult getting your webpage.

Anything you do involving random public interactions eventually wears thin;

I can sympathize with public figures who just wanted to make a living and have now had enough
of being noticed and being the center of attention wherever they go .

Jeff Beck is a fair example of this as a successful career strategy. He says he's lazy, but it seems more that he has to recharge and let himself fall in love with the craft and fun of guitar playing again. He does other things, normal things - garden, work on cars, etc. When he comes out again, it's usually with something very new - he's subsumed some new influences. I almost hope his recent successful return doesn't last to long!

It seems to me that the seclusion you're speaking about applies mainly to the media. As a music lover, I have never confused the various artists that I like with their art. I never even considered that Sade was GONE (in seclusion or anything). Whenever I want to hear her music (her art, not her life!), I plop on one of her CDs.

Anything you do involving random public interactions eventually wears thin;

I can sympathize with public figures who just wanted to make a living and have now had enough
of being noticed and being the center of attention wherever they go .

this is much ado about nothing. How is sade any different from me and my friends who took off time from work to raise our kids

The major risk is not being able to tell your side of the story. While it can be liberating to have your art speak for itself, a life of seclusion as an artist allows fans and detractors alike to let their minds run wild.

I think it hurt hiphop artists. Staying in the spotlight inspired songs about being famous. Diddy, Kanye, Jay-Z (but then he came back)

This story instantly brings Sonny Rollins to mind. He took 3 years off to focus and practiced on the Williamsburg Bridge. He came back reinvigorated and inspired and proceeded to make one the greatest recordings in music history: "The Bridge".

I kind of wished Bob Dylan had decided to live in a cave when he made that less than awe-inspiring Xmas album.

There's an upside to living in a cave. No autograph seekers to deal with. No stalkers. No cameras following you. Why be a worldwide pop phenom when you can be a cult leader?

Dave Chapelle — a good of example of an artist making a very deliberate decision to hide away from the public.

"rolling away the stone from the cave" - does she believe she's "more popular then Jesus"?

You have to mention David Bowie in your discussion. The Man Who fell to Earth has left the planet.

My boyfriend and I once saw Bowie walking on lower Broadway, and I acted like a fan ("David Bowie!"), and he ran away. That says it all doesn't it?