Soul (2008)
| Artist: Seal |
| Format: | CD |
Product Details:
rise/maverick
Song Listing
| Soul is comprised of twelve classic soul songs that each evokes their own drama, emotion and romance. Seal brings his unique, signature style to the album and found a great collaborative spirit working with legendary producer David Foster. "Someone once said '...the album will sound like the time you had making it'...Never before has it been as true as in the process of recording this record," Seal said. "Although David and I had been acquaintances before, we'd never quite managed to work together. Upon doing so, I was quick to realize that I was in the presence of true greatness. I've worked with a lot of producers before, but never have I come across anyone as naturally gifted and knowledgeable as David. If you are fortunate enough to have that combination, then you find that the album-making process tends to go very swiftly, making this the smoothest and most enjoyable album I have ever made. And if you are exceptionally fortunate, you find yourself also having made a great friend. I cannot thank him enough." "I've made a lot of records in my time, but I've never enjoyed the recording experience more than I have with Seal. I think he's the only singer on the planet that could do this album, bringing something new and fresh to these classics, paying tremendous respect to their heritage, but, at the same time, owning them and making them uniquely 'Seal.' He was born to sing these songs and all we've got to do is hang on for what is going to be a 'killer' ride," David Foster said. |
"As always, Seal sounds great; age has relaxed his singing, and that lends the material an appropriately lived-in vibe. Entertainment Weekly
Album Notes and Credits
Notes & Personnel Info |
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Personnel: Seal (vocals); Dean Parks, Michael Thompson (guitar); David Foster (piano, keyboards, bass guitar); Jochem van der Saag (organ, synthesizer, drum programming); John "4 Daddman" Robinson, Teddy Campbell (drums); Angela Fisher, Nita Hutton, Toyia Barnes (background vocals). |
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Audio Mixer: Jochem van der Saag. |
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Audio Remasterer: Brian "Big Bass" Gardner. |
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Recording information: Capitol Records; Chartmaker Studios; Record Plant. |
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Unknown Contributor Role: Jochem van der Saag. |
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Arrangers: Jochem van der Saag; David Foster. |
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The title of this 2008 release, and the cover art--a b&w photo featuring Seal in a suit and tie crooning into a microphone--should give listeners a fair idea of the album's nature. A glance at the track list, which includes soul classics by Sam Cooke, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, and Otis Redding, confirms the supposition. Seal has been settling more comfortably into his role as an adult contemporary singer, and SOUL, on which the British vocalist interprets 12 American R&B gems in elegant fashion, finds him fully inhabiting the niche once and for all.. |
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Seal may yet join the mainstream ranks of Rod Stewart and Michael Buble with his sophisticated covers and accessible sound, but his singing on SOUL is still full of the passion and intensity that characterize his earlier material. His take on Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" is a case in point, as is his heartfelt reading of Mayfield's "People Get Ready." Veteran producer David Foster gives the album a sleek yet natural feel, further heightening the compelling nature of Seal's performances. |
Producer: Jochem van der Saag; David Foster; Jochem van der Saag; David Foster |
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Engineer: David Reitzas; Jochem van der Saag; Jorge Vivo; Chris Owens; David Reitzas; Jochem van der Saag; Jorge Vivo |
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Compilation Appearances
Technical Info
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Release Date : 11/10/2008 |
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Original Release Date : 2008 |
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Catalog ID : 9362498246 |
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Label : Warner Bros. |
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Number of Discs : 1 |
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Studio/Live : Studio |
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SPAR Code : n/a |
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UPC : 00093624982463 |
Professional Reviews
- "As always, Seal sounds great; age has relaxed his singing, and that lends the material an appropriately lived-in vibe." -- Grade: B-
Bio
SealIn a remarkable career that spans more than two decades, Seal has garnered countless accolades along with three Grammy Awards and has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide. Known for his one-of-a-kind soaring, husky baritone voice and classic songwriting, Seal has seen success across numerous genres of music. His emotional, romantic love songs, such as "Prayer for the Dying," the Grammy Award-winning "Kiss from a Rose," and "Don't Cry" (all from 1994's Seal II), and "Love's Divine" (from 2003's Seal IV), delighted fans and earned him critical acclaim. But Seal has also seen great success in the dance/pop music world beginning with his roots in Britain's house music/rave scene. Early in his career he scored two hits with legendary producer Trevor Horn, 1990's "Killer" (with techno artist Adamski) and 1991's U.S. Top Ten single "Crazy," from his eponymous debut album -- a genre-defying fusion of soul, pop, rock, R&B, and propulsive grooves that announced the arrival of an innovative new talent. His fifth studio album in 2007, System was a nod to those roots with shimmering melodies, glistening layers of synths and acoustic guitar, and up-tempo electronic beats.
Now the London-born Seal is preparing to release his sixth studio album, what many consider the tour-de-force of his career. Produced by renowned music maestro David Foster, Soul is a stunning compilation of the best classic soul songs ever created, with Seal's unique, signature touch. The songs each evoke an era when soul music vividly captured emotion, drama and romance. Seal has said, "What I care about now is the same thing I cared about in the beginning of my career, which is songs."
