Album Review: Seal (1994)

One of my favourite albums, and one of the best of the 1990s, by far. It still remains the only album I can listen through without skipping on a regular basis. Each song has a high “listenability” rating for me. From the very start, Bring It On does exactly what it says on the tin. A hallucinating mix of electric guitar riffing give the track an almost “tripping” feel, with the lyrics, “Give me something for the dream that I am in,” adding to this effect. This then leads into Prayer For The Dying, a track that Seal said during his concert One Night To Remember concert, wasn’t a sad song, as the title may have alluded to, but a “celebration of life, rather than mourning of death”. I tend to agree with him, as the lyrics may seem quite depressing, but the music accompanying it is fairly cheerful and upbeat, which creates a paradoxical setting. Like in Bring It On, there is a mix of not only electric guitar, but also the classic acoustic guitar, an instrument synonymous with Seal himself.

The album then drifts into a lulling track, Dreaming in Metaphors, about people living their lives in “something they couldn’t understand”. A superb album filler, with beautifully abstract lyrics that seem to paint a picture of what is being said. Don’t Cry, one of the hits of the album, is something of a “power ballad”, and I often find myself singing the lyrics in full voice. Easily one of the best songs on the record, and from their, the tone is kept consistent, with Fast Changes, about a loved one having left. I especially love the Indian instrumentals in the background, which, on paper, seem unorthodox and out of place, but work exceptionally well. However, the next song is Seal’s most recognizable track, with millions around the world knowing the lyrics and singing along whenever the title is mentioned: Kiss From A Rose. Some of the most abstract lyrics you can find in a song and sung so eloquently, it almost sounds like a lullaby. When first released, it didn’t perform very well in the charts, but film director, Joel Schumacher, having heard the track, wished to have it as the soundtrack to his new film, Batman Forever, and thus it was re-released and became a huge hit. If it wasn’t for Prayer For The Dying, Kiss From A Rose would be my favourite of the album, without a doubt.

The subsequent four songs are nothing more than album fillers, and while they are of a hig quality, they don’t need a scrutinous critique. I will give a mention to the reprise at the end, a tranquil piece of music, based on the opening track of the album, Bring It On. Whenever I listen to it, it always makes me think of sunshine and paradise, and gives me a sense of happiness and optimism, something that can be heard throughout the whole record. If you’ve never listened to Seal before, or thought he wasn’t that good, I compel you to listen to this. If you like your acoustic music, this is the album for you.

Inductee #7 - Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson (born June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy Award-winning American Pop , Hard Rock , Funk, Rock, R&B musician. He performs simply as Prince, but has also been known by various other names, among them an unpronounceable symbol () “The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince)” and “The Prince Of Pop” (actually “disputing” this title among the critic with Justin Timberlake.

His career has spanned several styles: from his early material, rooted in R&B, soul and funk, he has consistently expanded his musical palette throughout his career, absorbing many other genres including New Wave, pop, rock, jazz, and hip hop. The distinctive characteristics of the early-to-mid 1980s work that brought him to super-stardom–including sparse and industrial-sounding drum machine arrangements, and the use of synthesizer riffs to serve the role traditionally occupied by horn riffs in earlier R&B, funk and soul music–was called the “Minneapolis sound” and has proved very influential.

Prince is a prolific artist, having released several hundred songs both under his own name and with other artists. Well known as a perfectionist, Prince is highly protective of his music. He produces, composes, arranges and performs nearly all of the songs on his albums. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

I couldn’t have Michael Jackson in the Hall of Fame without adding his arch rival, Prince, as well. While both are legends in their own right, Prince has the advantage of having a more rounded sound, genre-wise, with his music being able to be categorised in a myriad of styles. One thing I feel is sometimes neglected about Prince, is his amazing guitaring, almost Hendrixesque. He’s rarely seen without his famous Love Symbol guitar, whether it be in yellow or purple. A truly immense talent in the music world for the past 30 years and never short of controversy, Prince deserves to hold a place in any music Hall of Fame, and has certainly warranted his place in this one.

2,500 and counting…

Great news; we’ve managed to pass the 2,500 mark, a quarter of the way to 10,000 hits, which is fantastic. I never expected the blog to be so successful in such a short amount of time, considering the life span of my previous blogs. It seems you all like Seal and Michael Jackson, which of course is brilliant, so stay tuned for more news on them, including updates on Michael’s elusive new album. Thanks again, and keep reading!

What’s the news on Michael Jackson’s new album?

Well, your guess is as good as mine. Initially intended to be released in the autumn/fall of last year, no new news has been confirmed as to its release date, with only Jackson himself and closest “fellow-workers”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson’s_forthcoming_studio_album

What is known, is that will.i.am, Ne-Yo and Akon have all played a part in the production and writing of tracks for the album, which should add some much need popularity to the album, due to Michael’s somewhat unfortunate media attention over the past 2 decades. Anymore news, and I’ll keep you all posted.

Inductee #6 - Madonna

Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), known artistically as Madonna, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, musician, record producer, and actress. Regarded as “one of the greatest pop acts of all time”, she has been dubbed the “Queen of Pop” by the media. In her youth, Madonna aspired to become a ballet dancer and studied dance under the tutelage of choreographer Alvin Ailey. Following her debut in the entertainment industry as a member of Patrick Hernandez’s dance team, Madonna formed a pop duo with Dan Gilroy known as the Breakfast Club. While initially performing as the band’s drummer, Madonna also served as lead singer until her departure from the group. She joined a second music group—Emmy—with drummer Stephen Bray, though both performers eventually left the group to focus on the launch of Madonna’s solo career as a recording artist.

Beginning with the release of her self-titled debut album in 1983, Madonna rose to stardom producing three consecutive number one studio albums on the Billboard 200; Like a Virgin (1984), True Blue (1986), and Like a Prayer (1989). Though the entertainer faced colder critical reception and more modest sales on subsequent albums Erotica (1992) and Bedtime Stories (1994), she garnered critical acclaim with the release of her seventh studio album Ray of Light (1998), which opened at number two. Madonna continued to remain in the forefront of pop music with four more consecutive number one studio albums; Music (2000) American Life (2003) Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005) and Hard Candy (2008).

Madonna is ranked by the Recording Industry Association of America as the “Best Selling Female Rock Artist of the Twentieth Century” and the second top-selling female artist in the United States (behind Barbra Streisand) with 63 million certified albums. According to Guinness World Records she is the “World’s most-successful female musician” and the top earning female singer in the world with an estimated net worth of over $400 million, having sold over 200 million albums worldwide. Billboard reported that her 2006 Confessions Tour holds the record for the highest grossing concert tour by a female artist. On March 10, 2008, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Madonna made her acting debut with the low-budget feature film A Certain Sacrifice (1979) and went on to star in the 1985 box office hit Desperately Seeking Susan, her first starring role. She then starred in the relatively unsuccessful Shanghai Surprise (1986), Body of Evidence (1993), The Next Best Thing (2000) and Swept Away (2002) — in addition to numerous supporting roles and cameo appearances. She also starred in the box office hits Dick Tracy (1990), A League of Their Own (1992) and Evita (1996) — based on the musical of the same name, which earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

The classic and one of the most famous “reinventers” of music, Madonna has done for the female side of the music industry, what Michael Jackson has done for the male side. She has been at the forefront of pop culture and her controversial outlooks on her life and works will never be forgotten. Never one to shy away from a battle, Madonna made her millions, not from heritage, or a lucky break, but through sheer determination and hard work, not to mention a beautiful singing voice. Her versatilty is something to be desired, having graced the genres of pop, dance, rock, country, electronica, techno, R&B and hip-hop, and without looking out of place. Some see her as an arrogant alpha-female pop star who produces mediocre pop music, but people who know her best and know of her acclaimed status know her as one of the greatest artists the world has ever known.

New Donation Button

Well, I’m off to university in October, and while I’m ecstatic about it, it’s going to cost a fortune. So I’m asking you readers for some help. I’ve added a donation button to the sidebar for anyone who’d be willing to spare £1 to help fund my university fees. Now, I’m sure most of you are thinking, “Why don’t you just get a job, you lazy student”, etc., but even with a job, I’d still be strapped for cash to pay for my rent, for example. Any donations would be appreciated. Thank you.

Cream 15 Years. Buy Now!

A quick post to say I’ve been listening to this for the past week, and it’s immense. I serisouly suggest you go out and get this, as it’s brilliant. All the classics from the past 15 years in one album. My personal favourite is Intro by Fred Falke and Alex Braxe. It is becoming my anthem for this summer.

http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/5380303/Cream-15-Years/Product.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cream-15-Years-Various-Artists/dp/B0014I4KMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1210370227&sr=8-1

Inductee #5 - Seal

Seal (Sealhenry) Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel (born February 19, 1963 in Paddington, London) is a two time Grammy Award winning British soul singer and songwriter of Nigerian ancestry. His name Olusegun means “God is victorious“. Known professionally by his first name, Seal is known for his numerous international hits and his marriage to supermodel Heidi Klum.

Seal was born Sealhenry Olumide Samuel in Paddington, a district of the City of Westminster in inner London. He graduated with a degree in architecture, and worked in various jobs in the London area. Seal got his characteristic facial scars as a result of discoid lupus, which in addition, has caused some hair loss.

While Seal is miles behind all the other inductees in terms of sales and general music stardom, I believe him to be one of the most underrated artists in Britain, if not one of the most underrated in the world, from the past 20 years. His velvet voice is often taken for granted with tracks such as Kiss from a Rose and Crazy, but it’s his album fillers that make him the artist he is today. From his first album, you can hear a certain “African” tinge to his voice, which I find somewhat refreshing in a British pop/soul record. However, his best record by far is Seal (1994). To date, it remains the only album I can listen through from start to finish without skipping any tracks. From Bring It On all the way to the exquisite Reprise at the end, Seal takes you on a relaxing soul journey. The album spawned most of his biggest hits: Kiss From A Rose, Prayer For The Dying and Don’t Cry.

From then on, however, his sales took a dip. Human Being wasn’t the hit it was intended to be. Dedicated to murdered rappers Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur, the album definitely had a dark tone, which seemed to be its downfall. His bad fortune continued when his next album, Togetherland, was cancelled, after Seal believed it wasn’t up to scratch. His next album wasn’t released until 2003, but it was worth the wait. Seal IV was a return to his soul and contemporary R&B tunes, which gave him his original acclaim. His Greatest Hits and two live performances followed, before in 2008, he released his latest album, System. For me, it’s a brilliant dance record, and proves he still has what it takes to compete in the current music industry.

Inductee #4 - The Jackson 5

 

The Jackson 5 (also spelled The Jackson Five or The Jackson 5ive, abbreviated as J5, and later known as The Jacksons) was an American popular music quintet (and briefly a sextet and quartet) from Gary, Indiana. The group, fully active from 1966 to 1990, regularly played from a repertoire of R&B, soul, funk, and later disco. Considered “one of the biggest phenomenons in pop music”^[1] during the early 1970s, the Jackson 5 are also notable for launching the careers of their lead singers Jermaine and Michael. Joseph Jackson formed the early incarnation of the band in 1964 and served as its manager, with Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and unrelated youths Reynaud Jones and Milford Hite comprising its original lineup. Within a year, however, Michael and Marlon joined the band forming the principal lineup of the group.

Signed to the Motown label from 1968 to 1975, and to Epic/CBS Records (as “The Jacksons”) from 1975 until their disbanding in 1990, the Jackson 5 were one of the most popular groups of the era and became the first recording act to have their first four major label singles (”I Want You Back”, “ABC”, “The Love You Save”, and “I’ll Be There”) reach the top of the American charts. Several future singles, among them “Mama’s Pearl”, “Never Can Say Goodbye” and “Dancing Machine”, were Top 5 pop hits and number-one hits on the R&B singles chart. Most of the early hits were written and produced by a specialized songwriting team known as The Corporation™; later Jackson 5 hits were crafted chiefly by Hal Davis.

Significantly, they were the first black teen idols to appeal equally to white audiences. Upon their departure from Motown for CBS in 1975, the Jacksons were forced to change their name and replace Jermaine (who remained at Motown) with younger brother Randy. The group took control of their songwriting, production, and image, and their success continued into the 1980s with hits such as “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” and “State of Shock”, and the highly successful Victory Tour. The Jacksons officially disbanded in 1990, after the commercial underperformance of their 1989 album 2300 Jackson Street, recorded mostly without Michael and Marlon.

Just recently, I’ve really got into their music and I absolutely love it. While Michael’s voice is spectacular as lead, the backing music deserves a lot of credit. The guitar riffs in each song are different and yet ultimately catchy and in later albums, the introduction of other instruments and special sound effects added a further element to their sound. The magnificent thing about their music was that no matter when they released their albums, whether it was in the 60s, 70s or 80s, their sound was always fresh and with the times; just listening to Victory was enough to tell you it was made in the mid 1980s. If you’re a fan of Motown, or just a funk, dance or soul kinda guy/gal, I compell you to get hold of their music.

Albums worth acquiring are:

• Triumph
• Victory
• Destiny
• The Jacksons
• Moving Violation
• ABC
• Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5

Inductee #3 - Jamiroquai

 

Hate him or love him, you can’t deny the impact he’s had on the genre of acid jazz and funk over the past two decades. Originally auditioning for the lead singer of the Brand New Heavies, Jason “Jay Kay” Cheetham decided to form the group known as Jamiroquai. Jamiroquai’s first single, “When You Gonna Learn”, was released in 1992 on the Acid Jazz label. Following its success, Kay signed an eight-album record deal with Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The first Sony album, Emergency on Planet Earth was released in 1993. It was followed in 1994 by The Return of the Space Cowboy. The single “Space Cowboy” gained notice on the charts and in club rotation.

While Jamiroquai was growing in popularity in the UK and Western Europe, they remained relatively unknown to U.S and other international audiences. The band’s international breakthrough came with the third album, Travelling Without Moving in 1996, which yielded two big hits, “Virtual Insanity” and “Cosmic Girl”. The success of “Virtual Insanity” was due in part to its innovative video, which featured Kay’s dance moves and some gravity-defying images. At the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards, the creative videoclip for “Virtual Insanity”won four awards, including Best Video, Best Special Effects, Best Cinematography, andBreakthrough Video.

The acid jazz flavours and ethnic influences of the first three albums continued with the release of Synkronized in 1999. Jay Kay’s interest in funk and disco music were shifting the band’s directions towards such. By their fifth album, A Funk Odyssey (2001), they had evolved so drastically, that some critics and listeners would remark they lost the ‘Jamiroquai sound’. With the departure of more and more original band members, including Wallis Buchanan and his didgeridoo, Jamiroquai had become a very different band than that of 1992. In spite of the changes, the fifth album’s first single, “Little L”, reached #1 in many charts worldwide.

Their sixth album, titled Dynamite was released on June 20, 2005. It reached #3 on the UK charts. The first single, “Feels Just Like It Should” was released early in June, the second, “Seven Days in Sunny June” released on August 15th, 2005, followed by the third, “(Don’t) Give Hate A Chance” on November 7, 2005.

Jamiroquai released a greatest hits collection, High Times: Singles 1992-2006 in November 2006. The release of this album marked the end of Kay’s eight-album contract with Sony. The album reached the number 1 spot in the UK album chart after its first week of release. The album featured two new tracks, “Runaway” and “Radio”. On September 18, 2006, “Runaway” was given its first play by UK radio stations. It was released as a single on October 30, 2006.

His ability to consistently produce quality tunes through a myriad of genres (pop, electronica, acid jazz, funk, soul to name a few) is a quality many artists and music groups crave. Some may think of him as merely a Stevie Wonder wannabe with a good backing outfit behind him, but his music speaks volumes (pardon the pun) and he he’s no where near finished. If you’ve never heard Jamiroquai or would like to hear more of his music, try:

• Travelling Without Moving
• Synkronized
• A Funk Odyssey
• Dynamite.