Seal | Hits

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Seal | Hits

When I locked into Seal’s U.S.smash single from 1991 “Crazy” off his self-titled debut project, I told myself this will be an international star to be reckoned with.  His clever raspy vocals blending soul and pop sensibility topped with techno smooth beats was a match made in heaven.  However, it would be three long years before he broke with his follow-up disc, Seal II.  Even though “Crazy” was his first calling card, it would be “Prayer for the Dying” and “Kiss from a Rose” from the Batman Forever soundtrack that took the singer/songwriter to another level.  Before he became a certified hit maker, this singer/songwriter cut his teeth in blues and funk bands in his hometown of London and touring several countries as a solo artist.  But it was a meeting with a popular U.K. dance producer Adamski who teamed for Seal’s debut U.K. hit on ZZT Records – the rock-edged “Killer” – that introduced him to the musical big time.  From that point, Seal knew he was born with a shear musical genius despite his architectural degree.  His latest collection is the second offering of his most famous work (the first being The Best 1991-2004) entitled Hits.  With his natural ability to perform in several genres and his solid reputation with international audiences, Seal emphasizes special care into every single song; whether his own or a cover tune.  Throughout his career, Seal is a true survivor who faced a rough childhood and learned to adjust living in the musical fast lane.

Christened Seal Henry Olusegun Samuel to a Nigerian father and Brazilian mother, they divorced when he was still a baby.  His father seemed embittered about life which made their relationship strained for the most part.  Yet when you have the name Olusegun (meaning “God is victorious), that gives plenty of incentive for someone to persevere through life’s tough circumstances.  After Seal graduated from college, he worked odd jobs before pursuing his musical dream.  While he was in India doing solo gigs, his spiritual experiences caused him to rethink his priorities about immediately chasing a recording career.  When he finally broke into the major ranks with several hits off his debut, Seal had his shares of victories and valleys. 

His perfectionist side from the songwriting to production processes was the main yet legitimate reason for the gaps between recording projects – case in point the three years in between Seal & Seal II.  This pattern continued throughout his whole discography.  Human Being, the follow-up to Seal II, was recorded during a break-up and then reconciliation with long-time producer Trevor Horn.  This 1998 disc on his new label home Warner Brothers featured a track from the film Entrapment – “Lost My Faith.”  Togetherland, which was supposed to be released in 2001, was eventually shelved.  Yet the single “This Could Be Heaven” did make its way to another soundtrack – The Family Man.  After five years, Seal IV made its way with “Waiting For You” and “Get It Together.”  The 2007 disc – System – the first project made without Horn behind the boards; brought Seal back full circle to the dance community.  The following year, David Foster’s production – Soul – was a retrospective of crème de la crème soul classics including Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Going Come” and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “If You Don’t Know Me by Now.” 

Hits brings all almost all these tracks plus the Steve Miller top forty hit – “Fly Like An Eagle” (from {you guessed it} another soundtrack Space Jam) and “Don’t Cry” from Seal II.  The additional tracks – Seal’s take on “Thank You” from Sly & The Family Stone and “I Am Your Man”, are not the best representation of his past hits.   But these bonus tracks should not hinder Seal’s legacy as an artist who has wo
n over an international audience with dance jams, delightful pop covers and oodles of soulful passion. Besides, his drive as a musician always willing to be the best in every department does not hurt, either.

Peggy Oliver

The Urban Music Scene