Seal

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, born 1963 in London, is very popular and has a collection of international hits. Everyone probably has the incredible "Crazy" (in 1991 with production by Trevor Horn) in head or the sublime "Kiss From A Rose" (on the "Batman Forever" soundtrack in 1998). I recently discovered the whole carreer of this artist who, in five albums, totally defines British soul at its best. I might add I was not really seduced by Seal's "comeback" with Love's Divine or Get It Together, which I found too slow...

"Don't Cry" (1996 - from the album "Seal 2")

"Human Beings" (1998 - from the album "Human Beings")

"Waiting For You" (2004 - from the album "Seal IV")

In November 2007, System, his latest album, was released. Produced by Stuart Price (do I need to remind you that Price, a.k.a Thin White Duke, Jacques Lu Cont, Paper Faces or Man With Guitar, was the creator of many of Madonna's "Confessions" era singles?), this new installment can confuse because it introduces us to a very dance/electro-oriented Seal. But those are his first loves, because Killer and Crazy were closer to this sound than the later (successful nonetheless) romantic power ballads he produced since.

"The Right Life" (2007 - from the album "System")

I can even say that once the surprise of the first few notes is passed, I totally dig it!
The beat is here, but the emotion still is too. With well produced dancefloor anthems, flying ballads with electro flavors or even a matrimonial duet with wife Heidi Klum, Seal scores! Can't wait to see all that live on stage.