British soul legend Seal returns with his new album, ‘Standards’ – combining his unique voice with some of the greatest jazz standards and swing classics ever written. An artist who’s been at the top of his game throughout his 30-year career, Seal’s 10th studio album breathes life into iconic hits, paying tribute to legends including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. It will be released on November 10th through Republic Records.
Seal said: “This is the album I have always wanted to make. I grew up listening to music from the Rat Pack era, so recording these timeless tunes was a lifelong dream. It was a true honour to collaborate with the same musicians who performed with Frank Sinatra and so many of my favourite artists, in the very same studios where the magic was first made – it was one of the greatest days of my recording career.”
Seal’s new album brings the glamour of Old Hollywood straight to the present. It is a natural successor to his series of soul records, made a decade ago which sold over 5 million copies around the world. ‘Standards’ hears Seal’s signature, velvety warm vocals bring to life classics made popular by Frank Sinatra (such as Luck Be A Lady, I’ve Got You Under My Skin and It Was A Very Good Year), Ella Fitzgerald (I’m Beginning to See The Light) and Nina Simone (I Put A Spell on You). Elsewhere, there are lush orchestral moments captured on Smile (Charlie Chaplin) and the Cole Porter gem, Love For Sale.
The unmistakeable richness of ‘Standards’ is largely down to Seal’s choice to collaborate with the very same, legendary musicians who have performed with Frank Sinatra: Randy Waldman(pianist who toured with Sinatra and Paul Anka), Chuck Berghofer (bass player, who had performed with Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles) and Greg Fields (drummer who also performed with Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder).
The sound of Seal’s new album is also shaped by three renowned collaborators: Grammy-nominated British producer Nick Patrick (who has worked with luminaries including Tina Turner and Marvin Gaye and enjoyed huge chart success with his pioneering Elvis orchestral albums), multi Grammy-nominated arranger Chris Walden, and legendary engineer Don Murray.
The making of ‘Standards’ became a real pilgrimage for the Grammy Award-winning artist. The songs were recorded in the famous Capitol Records in Los Angeles (the very studio where Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat “King” Cole and many others have created some of the most treasured music of our time), and United Studios, which was established by Bing Crosby andFrank Sinatra, where the latter recorded It Was A Very Good Year.
In a career spanning three decades, racking up over 30 million records sales worldwide and a string of Grammy, Brit and Ivor Novello awards along the way, Seal continues to shine as one of the world’s brightest music stars. His new album is full of musical gems which glisten when brought to life with his stunning voice.
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