Seal - Seal (2LP)
Seal – vocals
Gus Isidore, Jamie Muhoberac, Lisa Coleman, Wendy Melvoin – principal musicians
Musician - Joseph 'Amp' Fiddler, Andy Duncan, Andy Newmark, Anthony Pleeth, Barry Wilde, Ben Cruft, Betsy Cook, Bill Benham, Bob Smissen, Boguslaw Kostecki, Charley Drayton, Chris Bruce, Chris Laurence, D-Influence, David Oladunni, David Theodore, Derek Watkins, Dick Morgan, Eddie Roberts, W. Garfield Jackson, Gavin Wright, George Robertson, Gota Yashiki, Gus Isidore, Harvey Mason, Helen Liebmann, Ian Thomas, Jackie Shave, Jeff Beck, Jim McLeod, John Pigneguy, Jon Evans-Jones, Judd Proctor, Kate Wilkinson, Laurence Cottle, Lisa Coleman, Luis Jardim, Maciej Rakowski, Marc Mann, Mark Berrow, Martin Loveday, Mike Brittain, Mike De Saulles, Nick Busch, Pandit Dinesh, Pat Kierman, Paul Kegg, Perry Montague-Mason, Peter Oxer, Phil Spalding, Pino Palladino, Richard Cottle, Rita Manning, Roger Garland, Roger Smith, Sam Maitland, Sarah Webb, Seal, Tim Weidner, Tony Stanton, Wendy Melvoin, Willfred Gibson, William Orbit
Strings – Anne Dudley, Wil Malone
Orchestration – Graeme Perkins
Written by Chris Bruce, Lisa Coleman, Gus Isidore, Wendy Melvoin, Carmen Rizzo, Seal Henry Samuel (A1, C4), Gus Isidore, Seal Henry Samuel (A2-3, B2), Seal Henry Samuel (B1, B3, C1-3, D1, D3), Chris Bruce, Lisa Coleman, Gus Isidore / Wendy Melvoin, Carmen Rizzo, Seal Henry Samuel (C5), Jimi Hendrix (D2, D4), Steve Miller (D5)
2 LPs, Gatefold Jacket
Deluxe Edition
Original Master Tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record Color : Black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12''
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Memphis Record Pressing
Label : Rhino
Original Label : Warner Records
Recorded at Angel Real World Sarm East Studios, London, England
Engineered by Gregg Jackman, Paul Wright, Robin Barclay, Sean Chenery, Steve Fitzmaurice, Steve Macmillan, Tim Weidner, Carmen Rizzo
Mixed by Steve Fitzmaurice, Steve Macmillan, Tim Weidner, Carmen Rizzo
Remastered by Trevor Horn
Lacquer Cut by Miles
Design by Michael-Nash Assoc
Photography by Nick Knight
Originally released in May 17, 1994
Reissued in 2024
Tracks:
Side A:
- Bring It On
- Prayer for the Dying
- Dreaming in Metaphors
Side B:
- Don't Cry
- Fast Changes
- Kiss from a Rose
Side C:
- People Asking Why
- Newborn Friend
- If I Could
- I'm Alive
- Bring It On (Reprise)
Side D:
- Love Is Powerful
- Manic Depression (feat. Jeff Beck)
- Blues in 'E'
- The Wind Cries Mary
- Fly Like an Eagle
Awards:
1996 Grammy Award Winner:
- Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Kiss from a Rose"
- Song of the Year: "Kiss from a Rose"
- Record of the Year: "Kiss from a Rose"
Reviews:
“ Fresh from his 1991 self-titled debut, Seal followed with another self-titled release. And true to form, it's another stunning work, although it becomes clear that a musical maturation has taken place. Produced by ex-Buggles frontman Trevor Horn (Pet Shop Boys, ABC, Yes, Frankie Goes to Hollywood), Seal is far more enchanting than his debut. True, Seal is a bit too relaxed at times, but aside from that criticism, the record is lush with harmonies and over-the-top melodies. "Don't Cry" flows with the luxuriant vibes of a hushed vocal and a bellowing string arrangement. Seal showcases his collaborative talent with "If I Could," a duet featuring Canadian folkie Joni Mitchell. "Kiss from a Rose" and "Prayer for the Dying" established Seal as a household name after both became radio and television mainstays. The soul is there, hauntingly similar to singer Terence Trent D'Arby. But what's so unique about Seal is his gift of transforming free-flowing songs into quick dancefloor tracks with a transcendent step into musical magic. His voice has a spell like that, and his second album reflects such skills." Allmusic Review by MacKenzie Wilson
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4.5 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.62 / 5 ; Encyclopedia of Popular Music : 4 / 5 ; Knoxville News Sentinel : 2 / 5 ; Los Angeles Times : 3 / 5 ; NME : 4 / 10 ; Rolling Stone : 4 / 5 ; The Rolling Stone Album Guide : 4 / 5