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Soul (Seal album)

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

{{Use British English|date=September 2010}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Soul

| type = studio

| artist = Seal

| cover = Soul (album).png

| alt = The cover features a black-and-white photo of Seal wearing a suit and tie with a microphone close to his face. The artist's name is colored in blue, while the album title is behind it in shadows.

| released = 10 November 2008

| recorded = 2008

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 41:13

| label =

| producer =

| prev_title = System

| prev_year = 2007

| next_title = Seal 6: Commitment

| next_year = 2010

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Soul

| type = studio

| single1 = It's a Man's Man's Man's World

| single1date = 10 November 2008 (UK)

| single2 = A Change Is Gonna Come

| single2date = 22 November 2008 (UK)

| single3 = It's Alright

| single3date = 16 March 2009 (UK)

| single4 = I Can't Stand the Rain

| single4date = March 2009 (Brazil)[http://www.musicistheheartofoursoul.com/2009/03/seal-i-cant-stand-rain-promo-cd.html ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222225614/http://www.musicistheheartofoursoul.com/2009/03/seal-i-cant-stand-rain-promo-cd.html |date=22 February 2012 }}

| single5 = If You Don't Know Me by Now

| single5date = March 2009 (US)[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=seal|chart=Adult Contemporary}} ]{{Dead link|date=September 2010}}

}}

}}

File:Seal A Change Is Gonna Come Single Cover.JPG

Soul is the sixth studio album by British singer Seal, which was released on 10 November 2008. The album was produced by David Foster, and co-produced, engineered and mixed by Jochem van der Saag.http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr09/articles/it_0409.htm Article by Paul Tingen on van der Saag's work on Soul, in Sound on Sound magazine It is made up of cover versions of eleven soul music classics.{{cite magazine|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|date=1 October 2008|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/seal-sings-from-his-soul-on-new-album-1043914/|title=Seal Sings from His 'Soul' on New Album|magazine=Billboard|access-date=24 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208180033/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/seal-sings-from-his-soul-on-new-album-1043914/|archive-date=8 December 2022|url-status=live}}[http://auspop.blogspot.com/2008/10/seals-soul.html Seal's Soul] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812013128/http://auspop.blogspot.com/2008/10/seals-soul.html |date=12 August 2011 }}. Auspop (4 October 2008). Retrieved 4 October 2008.

The album charted within the top 10 in twelve countries. In the United Kingdom, the album charted at number twelve. As of January 2012, the album had sold 419,841 copies in the UK.{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Alan|title=Official Chart Analysis: Sales slow, but Sheeran and Cover Drive reign|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1048325&c=1|work=Music Week|access-date=2 February 2012|date=30 January 2012}} The album peaked at number thirteen in the United States on the Billboard 200 albums chart. It has since sold 547,000 copies in the US.{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Tim McGraw Scores Top Billboard 200 Debut, Adele Still No. 1|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tim-mcgraw-scores-top-billboard-200-debut-adele-still-no-1-508249/|magazine=Billboard|date=1 February 2012|access-date=24 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319155101/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tim-mcgraw-scores-top-billboard-200-debut-adele-still-no-1-508249/|archive-date=19 March 2024|url-status=live}}

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

|MC = 59/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/soul|title=Soul by Seal|website=Metacritic|access-date=4 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305140214/http://www.metacritic.com/music/soul|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-mw0000801890|title=Soul - Seal|last=Bush|first=John|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=11 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019201511/https://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-mw0000801890|archive-date=19 October 2021|url-status=live}}

|rev2 = Billboard

|rev2score = positive{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3i7e776b2746cf1559cf99143f5185ba0e|title=Soul|last=Mason|first=Kerri|magazine=Billboard|access-date=6 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081115081533/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3i7e776b2746cf1559cf99143f5185ba0e|archive-date=15 November 2008|url-status=dead}}

|rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

|rev3score = B{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2008/11/05/soul/|title=Soul|last=Wood|first=Mikael|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=5 November 2008|access-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304165057/https://ew.com/article/2008/11/05/soul/|archive-date=4 March 2021|url-status=live}}

|rev4 = PopMatters

|rev4score = {{Rating|5|10}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popmatters.com/65495-seal-soul-2496104577.html|title=Seal: Soul|last=Wikane|first=Christian John|magazine=PopMatters|date=10 November 2008|access-date=11 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817143308/https://www.popmatters.com/65495-seal-soul-2496104577.html|archive-date=17 August 2022|url-status=live}}

|rev5 = Robert Christgau

|rev5score = {{Rating-Christgau|hm1}}{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=seal|title=CG: seal|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|publisher=RobertChristgau.com|access-date=4 May 2012}}

|rev6 = Rolling Stone

|rev6score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/24016533/review/24196448/soul|title=Soul : Seal : Review|last=Rosen|first=Jody|author-link=Jody Rosen|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=27 November 2008|access-date=5 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081129030448/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/24016533/review/24196448/soul|archive-date=29 November 2008|url-status=dead}}

|rev7 = Toronto Star

|rev7score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/534341|title=Seal: Soul|last=Infantry|first=Ashante|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=11 November 2008|access-date=13 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220041223/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/534341|archive-date=20 December 2008|url-status=dead}}

|rev8 = Vibe

|rev8score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2008/11/seal_soul_review/|title=Seal: Soul|last=Wang|first=Oliver|magazine=Vibe|date=11 November 2008|access-date=6 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221054859/http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2008/11/seal_soul_review/|archive-date=21 December 2008|url-status=dead}}

}}

Soul garnered mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 59, based on eight reviews.

AllMusic's John Bush called it "a sincere, well-considered affair", praising Seal's "caressing vocals" and knowledge of faithfully interpreting the track listing, and Foster's "subtle yet effective production" that use "earthy, organic arrangements and funky beats that are slightly clipped for a contemporary feel." Ashante Infantry of the Toronto Star wrote: "By turns instructive and seductive, the 45-year-old brings weariness and passion to the songs; love to see this performed live." Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Mikael Wood wrote that: "As always, Seal sounds great; age has relaxed his singing, and that lends the material an appropriately lived-in vibe."

Rolling Stone{{'}}s Jody Rosen called it "an unnecessary record", criticising Seal's interpretation of the covers for emitting "a feeling of swank Euro-sophistication that saps the music of much of its emotional oomph." Oliver Wang of Vibe criticised the "milquetoast musical arrangements" and Seal's performance of said arrangements for having "unnecessary vocal runs" and diminishing the "elegant grace" of the originals, saying it "sounds more like an album from a green American Idol winner than a pop veteran with half a dozen albums." While praising the cover of Denice Williams' "Free", Wang concluded that: "Had the rest of Soul followed the same path, it might have made a greater impression. As it is though, the lack of risk-taking leaves this set light on soul."

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline =

| total_length =

| title1 = A Change Is Gonna Come

| writer1 = Sam Cooke

| length1 = 3:55

| title2 = I Can't Stand the Rain

| writer2 = Ann Peebles, Don Bryant, Bernard Miller

| length2 = 3:35

| title3 = It's a Man's Man's Man's World

| writer3 = James Brown, Betty Jean Newsome

| length3 = 3:53

| title4 = Here I Am (Come and Take Me)

| writer4 = Al Green, Mabon Hodges

| length4 = 4:10

| title5 = I've Been Loving You Too Long

| writer5 = Otis Redding, Jerry Butler

| length5 = 3:08

| title6 = It's Alright

| writer6 = Curtis Mayfield

| length6 = 3:47

| title7 = If You Don't Know Me by Now

| writer7 = Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff

| length7 = 3:50

| title8 = Knock on Wood

| writer8 = Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper

| length8 = 3:22

| title9 = I'm Still in Love with You

| writer9 = Al Green, Willie Mitchell, Al Jackson Jr.

| length9 = 4:37

| title10 = Free

| writer10 = Henry Redd, Susaye Green, Nathan Watts, Deniece Williams

| length10 = 3:27

| title11 = Stand by Me

| writer11 = Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller

| length11 = 4:06

| title12 = People Get Ready

| writer12 = Curtis Mayfield

| length12 = 3:35

}}

Personnel

  • Seal – vocals, backing vocals (1-3, 6, 7, 9, 10)
  • David Foster – keyboards, bass, arrangements, horn arrangements (1-6, 8, 9, 11, 12), string arrangements (1-3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12), acoustic piano (3, 5, 7)
  • Jochem van der Saag – synthesizers, drum programming, sound design, organ (6-8, 12), BGV arrangements (6), arrangements (10)
  • Michael Thompson – guitars (2, 4, 6-8, 12)
  • Dean Parks – guitars (5, 10, 11)
  • Marcus Brown – bass (2, 4, 9)
  • Nathan East – bass (6-8)
  • Teddy Campbell – drums (8)
  • John Robinson – drums (11)
  • Jerry Hey – horn arrangements (1, 2, 4-6, 11, 12), string arrangements (1, 2, 5, 6, 11, 12)
  • Don Sebesky – string and horn arrangements (3, 8)
  • Brad Dechter – string and horn arrangements (9)
  • Toyia Barnes – backing vocals (4, 5)
  • Angie Fisher – backing vocals (4, 5)
  • O'Nita Hutton – backing vocals (4, 5)

Choir on "People Get Ready"

  • Keith Allen, Koko Barnes, Toyia Barnes, Sharon Bryant, David Daughtry, Lawrence Dotson, Angie Fisher, O'Nita Hutton, Demeka Jackson, Jason Moralis, Tony Wilkins and Brandon Winbush

= Production =

  • Jeff Aldrich – A&R
  • David Foster – producer
  • Jochem van der Saag – co-producer, engineer, mixing
  • David Reitzas – recording (live drums, horn, string and choir)
  • Chris Owen – assistant engineer
  • Jorge Vivo – additional engineer, digital editing
  • Brian Gardner – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)
  • Louis Price – vocal consultant
  • Courtney Blooding – production coordinator
  • Ellen Wakayama – art direction
  • Donny Phillips – design
  • Nabil Elderkin – photography
  • Ric Salmon – management

Charts

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
Chart (2008–2009)

! Peak
position

scope="row"| Argentinean Albums (CAPIF){{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?CodOp=ESCS&CO=6 |title=Representando a la Industria Argentina de la Música|language=es|publisher=CAPIF|date=31 January 2010|access-date=4 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20081009022847/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?CodOp=ESCS&CO=6|archive-date=9 October 2008}}

| 12

{{album chart|Australia|16|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Austria|8|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Flanders|2|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Wallonia|1|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|11|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Denmark|5|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Netherlands|6|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Finland|23|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|France|1|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Germany4|15|id=100159|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Ireland2|21|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Italy|5|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|New Zealand|22|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Norway|7|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Portugal|9|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Spain|12|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Sweden|6|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Switzerland|4|artist=Seal|album=Soul|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|UK2|12|date=20081214|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|13|artist=Seal|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|4|artist=Seal|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2020}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

! Chart (2008)

! Position

scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2008/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2008|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=7 December 2020}}

| 98

scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2008&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels 2008|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=22 May 2021}}

| 33

scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2008&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2008|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=22 May 2021}}

| 41

scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)[http://www.chartsinfrance.net/charts/albums-2008.php ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202071345/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/charts/albums-2008.php|date=2 February 2009}}

| 2

scope="row"| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/83?dspy=2008&dspp=1|title=Årslista Album – År 2008|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=22 May 2021}}

| 34

scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2008/alben|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2008|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=22 May 2021}}

| 58

scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20080106/37502/|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2008|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=22 May 2021}}

| 40

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

! Chart (2009)

! Position

scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop overal)[https://web.archive.org/web/20110823093544/http://www.belgianentertainment.be/pdf/Powerpoint_BEA_2009.pdf De Belgische entertainmentmarkt 2009 – Top 10 Albums 2009 Belgium] (p. 14 – 16)

| 1

scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2009&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2009|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=22 May 2021}}

| 16

scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2009&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels 2009|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=22 May 2021}}

| 1

scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2009&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2009|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=22 May 2021}}

| 44

scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP){{cite web|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/charts/tops-et-flops-2009.php|title=Tops & Flops musicaux en 2009|language=fr|publisher=Chartsinfrance.net|date=28 December 2009|access-date=4 September 2010}}

| 2

scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2009/alben|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2009|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=22 May 2021}}

| 14

scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/UKChartsPlusYE2009.pdf|title=UK Year-End 2009|publisher=Charts Plus|access-date=22 May 2021}}

| 145

scope="row"| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=22 May 2021|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010103616/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-billboard-200-albums|archive-date=10 October 2020|url-status=live}}

| 75

scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=22 May 2021|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026230823/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|archive-date=26 October 2020|url-status=live}}

| 28

Certifications

{{certification Table Top}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Australia|award=Gold|certyear=2008|relyear=2008}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Austria|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Gold|certyear=2009|relyear=2008}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Belgium|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2009|certmonth=2|relyear=2008|relmonth=11}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Platinum|certyear=2009|relyear=2008|relmonth=11}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=France|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Diamond|certyear=2008|relyear=2008|source=infodisc|access-date=26 November 2021}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Germany|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Gold|certyear=2009|relyear=2008}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Italy|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Gold|relyear=2008}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Norway|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Gold|certyear=2009|relyear=2008|relmonth=11|access-date=16 March 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Seal|title=Soul|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=2009|relyear=2008|source=archive|access-date=28 December 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2008|id=seal-soul|access-date=28 April 2020|refname="PROMUSICAE"}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Sweden|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Gold|certyear=2008|relyear=2008}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Switzerland|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Platinum|certyear=2008|relyear=2008}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=Seal|title=Soul|award=Platinum|certyear=2008|relyear=2008|id=6136-1080-2}}

{{certification Table Summary}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=Soul|artist=Seal|type=album|region=Europe|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2010|access-date=11 June 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Metacritic album|title=Soul}}

{{Seal (musician)}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2008 albums

Category:2000s covers albums

Category:Seal (musician) albums

Category:143 Records albums

Category:Warner Records albums

Category:Albums arranged by Don Sebesky

Category:Albums produced by David Foster

Category:Albums recorded at Record Plant (Los Angeles)