Jump to content

Seal (musician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 128.244.110.203 (talk) at 16:24, 30 May 2007 (Added info about new album). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Seal
File:Seal2007.gif
Born
Seal Henry Olusegun Mark Scott Brooks Olumide Adeola Samuel
Height6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m)
SpouseHeidi Klum 2005-05-10

Seal Henry Olusegun Mark Scott Brooks Olumide Adeola Samuel (born February 19, 1963 in Paddington, London, England) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning British soul vocalist and songwriter. He is professionally known only by his first name, Seal.

Early life

Born Seal Henry Olusegun Mark Scott Brooks, Olumide Adelo Samuel, a childhood battle with discoid lupus left him with distinctive facial scarring and hair loss. He studied architecture and engineering in school.[1]

Music career

Seal

As the vocalist on the Adamski single "Killer", Seal became a hot property when the single reached number one in 1990 in the UK. Like many other Adamski tracks, the single was also a hit in night clubs. Seal subsequently signed to ZTT Records and released his debut album (produced by Trevor Horn), titled Seal, in 1991. Two versions of the album are known to be in circulation: the original "premix" version and a second, more common version with an updated mix. This is attributed to the demand for a produced single rushing the final album edit, and as Seal puts it, his and producer Horn's "inability to let go." [2] The album was positively received by critics and the singles "Crazy", "Future Love Paradise", and his own rendition of "Killer" from the album all performed well on the charts.

Seal II

His second album, also eponymous, was released in 1994. A critical success, the album featured the singles "Prayer for the Dying" and "Newborn Friend", receiving a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. A third single, "Kiss From a Rose", performed modestly when released but was later featured in the film Batman Forever which resulted in its worldwide success. It went on to win Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1996 and became Seal's best performing single in the US market. Later, he recorded a cover of Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle" for the soundtrack of the film Space Jam.

Human Being

Four years after the release of his previous album, in 1998, Seal released Human Being. The album was the product of a turbulent time in his life, including a split and later reconciliation with producer Horn as well as Seal's parting with ZTT Records and his signing with Warner Bros. Records in 1997. The record was critically panned upon its release and its sales were lackluster. The album provided three singles, "Human Beings", "Latest Craze", and "Lost My Faith".

Failed Album: Togetherland

In 2001, fans awaited the arrival of a new album, announced as Togetherland. However, after a protracted post-production period the album was cancelled in its entirety. The official word was that Seal simply didn't think it made the grade, although this conflicts with other reports that said the album was turned down by the label, which felt that it wouldn't be commercially successful. Although one single was released from the album. "This Could Be Heaven" was released in the US and featured on the Family Man soundtrack. Since December, 2006 Seal has been indicating that, while still feeling the album as a whole is "not worthy", he plans to excerpt certain cuts from Togetherland and make them available for streaming download.

Meanwhile, Seal made something of a comeback in dance and club scene when he co-wrote and provided vocals for the hit single "My Vision" from Jakatta in 2002.

Seal IV

In 2003, Seal released his fourth album, which was again self-titled, except for Australia, where it was released under Seal IV. Although it did not sell as much as either of his first two albums, this release brought him back into the public eye in the United States and continental Europe. Singles from the album included "Waiting For You", "Get It Together", and "Love's Divine" (released in 2004).

Greatest Hits Album: Best 1991-2004

In 2004, a greatest hits album entitled Seal: Best 1991-2004 was released, including a cover of the Bacharach / David classic "Walk on By" and a cover of Echo and the Bunnymen 's song "Lips Like Sugar".

Live In Paris

Also in 2004, Seal performed a couple of shows at the Olympia Theatre in Paris, France. The July 6, 2004 show was recorded and released about one year after as CD/DVD package, simply titled Live In Paris.

One Night To Remember

In June 2005, Seal recorded a special concert which was subsequently released in 2006 entitled One Night To Remember as CD/DVD whereby the DVD includes a special "the making of" documentary in addition to the live performance. Recorded in a historic steel mill, the Altes Kesselhaus ('old boiler house'), in Düsseldorf, Germany, this 16-track package includes a special version of Brahms' Lullaby which Seal sings in German and then in English for the exclusive audience. Unusually, he is accompanied by his band, and a full orchestra comprised of 52 musicians and singers.

System

During his 2007 spring tour, Seal announced his new album, System, to be released in October 2007. He said it would be more dance-oriented, apparantly a return to the roots of his first album.

Family

Seal married German supermodel Heidi Klum May 10, 2005, on a beach in Mexico. Four months later Klum gave birth to their son, Henry Günther Ademola Dashtu Samuel. On November 22, 2006, in Los Angeles, Heidi gave birth to their second son, Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel.

His younger brother, Jeymes Samuel, is also a singer and musician.

Discography

Further information: [[:Seal discography]]

Albums

Singles

  • from Doctor Adamski's Musical Pharmacy
  • from Seal
    • 1990 "Crazy" #2 UK, #7 US, #9 AUS, #2 Germany
    • 1991 "Future Love EP" - featuring "Future Love Paradise" #12 UK, #46 AUS, #16 Germany
    • 1991 "The Beginning" #24 UK, #39 Germany
    • 1991 "Killer" #8 UK, #100 US, #95 AUS
    • 1992 "Violet" #39 UK
  • from Seal
    • 1994 "Prayer for the Dying" #14 UK, #21 US, #56 AUS, #62 Germany
    • 1994 "Kiss from a Rose" #1 US, #20 UK, #87 AUS
    • 1994 "Newborn Friend" #45 UK
    • 1995 "Kiss From a Rose" (re-issue) / "I'm Alive" #4 UK, #1 US, #1 AUS, #11 Germany
    • 1996 "Don't Cry" / "Prayer For the Dying" (re-issue) #33 US, #51 UK
  • from Human Being (1998)
    • 1998 "Human Beings" #50 UK, #96 Germany
    • 1998 "Latest Craze"
    • 1999 "Lost My Faith"
  • From Visions
    • 2002 "My Vision" (Jakatta featuring Seal) #6 UK, #43 AUS
  • from Seal IV
    • 2003 "Waiting for You" #80 UK, #89 US
    • 2003 "Get It Together" #25 UK, #29 US Adult Contemporary, #41 Germany
    • 2004 "Love's Divine" #68 UK, #79 US, #4 France, #4 Germany



Other songs:

  • 1992 "Who Wants To Live Forever" (Freddie Mercury Tribute)
  • 1993 "Love Is Powerful" (JP only)
  • 1993 "Manic Depression" (US promo) (with Jeff Beck)
  • 1994 "How Do You Stop" (with Joni Mitchell)
  • 1995 "Bird of Freedom" (from "Clockers" OST)
  • 1996 "Hey Joe (live)" (from Set It Off soundtrack)
  • 2001 "History" (with Outlawz)
  • 2001 "Les Mots" #2 France (with Mylène Farmer)
  • 2002 "You Are My Kind" (with Santana)
  • 2003 "Mona Lisa" (from "Mona Lisa Smile" OST)
  • 2004 "Life On Mars" (Itunes exclusive)
  • 2006 "A Father's Way" (from the film The Pursuit of Happyness)

See also

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Seal_(musician)&oldid=134592561"