Tracks

1. Bring It On

2. Prayer For The Dying

3. Dreaming In Metaphors

4. Don't Cry

5. Fast Changes

6. Kiss From A Rose

7. People Asking Why

8. Newborn Friend

9. If I Could

10. I'm Alive

11. Bring It On (Reprise)

Performer Notes

Personnel includes: Seal (vocals); Gus Isidore, Jamie Muhoberac, Bill Benham, Mike Brittain, Nick Busch, Laurence Cottle, Ben Cruft, Mike De Saulles, Charley Drayton, Andy Duncan, Joseph "Amp" Fiddler, Roger Garland, Luis Jardim, Pat Kiernan, Chris Laurence, Martin Loveday, Mark Mann, Harvey Mason, Perry Montague-Mason, Andy Newmark, William Orbit, Pino Palladino, Anthony Pleeth, Maciej Rakowski, Eddie Roberts, Jackie Shave, Roger Smith, Tony Stanton, Ian Thomas.
Engineers: Tim Weidner, Carmen Rizzo, Steve Fitzmaurice, Steve MacMillan, Gregg Jackman, Robin Barclay, Paul Wright, Sean Chenery.
Includes liner notes by Seal.
All songs written or co-written by Seal.
"Prayer For The Dying" was nominated for a 1995 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male. SEAL was nominated for Best Pop Album and Best Engineered Album.
"Kiss From A Rose" won 1996 Grammy Awards for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Personnel: Eric Cadieux, Tim Weidner, Carmen Rizzo (programming).
Audio Mixers: Steve Fitzmaurice; Steve MacMillan; Tim Weidner.
Recording information: Angel; Real World; Sarm East; Sarm Hook End; SARM West Coast; SARM West Studios.
Photographer: Nick Knight.
Arranger: Graeme Perkins.
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. ~ MacKenzie Wilson

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (10/6/94, p.90) - 3.5 - Good - "...His voice--soulful, raspy, a little dark--can make even the maudlin seductive..."

Entertainment Weekly (6/3/94, p.60) - "...This British neo-soul singer's gift flows from his ability to transform dance-floor tracks into spine-tingling magical experiences....Unlike most dance albums, SEAL is more than a collection of singles...." - Rating: A

Musician (7/94, p.88) - "...Seal manipulates mood the way James Brown works a groove, but that doesn't always work to his advantage. Because it's so easy to get lost in the luxuriant warmth of Seal's music, you may not even notice how great the songs are...."

New York Times (Publisher) (1/5/95, p.C15) - Included on Stephen Holden's list of the Top 10 Albums Of '94 - "...[An] impassioned and majestically produced...suite of songs..."