Seal back to basics with first album in four years

LONDON (Billboard) - With his first studio album since 2003, English singer/songwriter Seal hopes to rediscover the youthful energy of his self-titled debut 16 years ago.

"System" (Warner Bros.) is due out November 12 in most international markets and November 13 in the United States.

"My main objective on this was to go back to my roots -- that's been a kind of mission statement," Seal says. "But a couple of people have misunderstood that. I didn't mean back to dance, although some people will say I did emerge from the dance scene, and that's partly true."

Seal's first UK hit was as guest vocalist on Adamski's floor-filling crossover hit "Killer" in 1990.

"Dance music in 1988-89 was just fantastic. It just exploded," he reflects. "Technology was a big part of that, and it was affordable. You had bands like 808 State and A Guy Called Gerald making music in their bedrooms. Then I was able to lock it in with (debut solo hit) 'Crazy."'

For Seal, returning to his roots meant "going back to the fundamentals of how I wrote, which was on the guitar, writing basic chords and relying on my voice and a sense of melody to create the song. My first and this album are probably my two best, and I'd (likely) give the edge to this one."

The new album was produced by Stuart Price, who helmed Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor." His 2003 album "Seal IV," as well as its two predecessors, were produced by UK pop maven Trevor Horn.

"I didn't seek Stuart out because he was a dance producer. I was drawn to him because he was a great producer, and I knew he'd have the experience, despite the fact that he's only just turned 30," Seal says.

Seal, who has routinely topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in recent years, will benefit from another big club push this time around, says Michael Nance, Warner Bros.' Los Angeles-based director of international marketing

"That hasn't always been as much of a priority in the recent past, but we feel that this album is very club-friendly," he says.

To ensure that Seal is top of mind for U.K. fans, Warner Bros. prepared a 12-song CD, including live material and the title track of the new album, for a free giveaway in the October 28 edition of mass-market tabloid the Mail on Sunday, which also carried an extensive feature on the artist.

Seal plans to tour extensively in support of "System," with dates to be announced.

"I wouldn't be so bold as to say this is the best writing I've ever done," he says. "(1994 hit) 'Kiss From a Rose' is a pretty decent song, and I'll be hard-pushed to repeat that. But I will say that it's the most consistent. The songs are of a certain level, and that's something I've always strived for.

"Your fan base wants you to sing well, but they want to believe you," he adds. "If you can do that and make them dance at the same time, it's a great situation to be in."

Reuters/Billboard

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