Seal Human Being CD

Personnel includes: Seal (vocals, guitar, bass); Chris Bruce (guitar, bass); Danny Saber (guitar, programming); Gregg Arreguin, Chester Kaymen, Gus Isadore, Heitor Perrera, Wendy Melvoin, Ramon Stagnaro (guitar); Jamie Muhoberac (keyboards, bass, programming); Grant Mitchell (keyboards, programming); Dave Palmer, David Sancious, Mike Garson, George De Angelis, Lisa Coleman (keyboards); Earl Harvin (drums, bass, guitar); Alex Acuna, Andy Duncan (percussion); Andy Richards, Dave McCracken, William Orbit (programming).
Engineers: Tim Weidner, Stephen Fitzmaurice.
Personnel: Seal (vocals, guitar); Earl Harvin (guitar, drums); Danny Saber (guitar, percussion, programming); Chester Kamen, Chris Bruce, Gregg Arreguin, Gus Isadore, Ramon Stagnaro, Wendy Melvoin (guitar); Grant Mitchell, Jamie Muhoberac (keyboards, programming); George DeAngelis, David Palmer , David Sancious, Lisa Coleman, Mike Garson (keyboards); William Orbit (percussion, programming); Andy Ducan, Alex Acuña, Andy Duncan (percussion); Dave McCracken, Andy Richards (programming).
Audio Mixers: Richard Lowe; Steve Fitzmaurice; Tim Weidner.
Recording information: Andora Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Ch; Cherokee Studios, LA, CA; Sarm West Coast, LA, CA; Sarm West Coast, Los Angeles, CA; Sarm West Studios, London, England; Sarm Workshops, London, England; Studio 52, Lon; Studio 52, London, England.
Arrangers: Aaron Zigman; Anne Dudley; Will Malone; Nick Ingman.
U.K. pop sensation Seal has become notorious for taking extended breaks between albums (usually up to four years). On his third album, Human Being, producer Trevor Horn again joins Seal, and as on his past releases, life's trials and tribulations are used as the basis for the song's subject matter and lyrics (broken relationships, death, etc.). Horn again helps Seal achieve an unbelievably sonically rich album -- with each listen, you hear something you didn't before. The moderately paced, grooving opening track, "Human Beings," merges Seal's trademark soothing and crooned vocals with lyrics that deal with the highly publicized deaths of gangsta rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.. Directly after, three instant Seal classics follow -- the gentle "State of Grace" and "Just Like You," plus the dance-rocker "Latest Craze." Other highlights include the ethereal beauty of "Still Love Remains," the gradually building "Excerpt From," and the moving "Colour." Although Seal fans might grow impatient with such long breaks between albums, the pop perfection of Human Being turns out to be well worth the wait. ~ Greg Prato
From the spacious, catchy title track that kicks things off, HUMAN BEING continues Seal's unique brand of pop craftsmanship. Filled with the pure, soulful vocals, dramatic compositions and airy arrangements that resonate with Seal's worldwide audience, the album is another fine addition to his canon. Introducing programming into the mix, he expands on the already miles-deep sonic palette which marks all of his work, thanks in part to producer Trevor Horn, who miraculously makes even the busiest musical passage seem as expansive as the heavens.
The strong but elegant march of "State Of Grace" drives home Seal's seriousness of purpose, both lyrically and musically. "The Latest Craze" boasts sweet harmonic accompaniment and subtle programming adornment. Things move up close for the tender "Just Like You Said," which features an unusually up-front vocal and acoustic guitar track in a slow, steady build to the kind of dramatic burst of energy that's become a Seal trademark.Entertainment Weekly (11/20/98, p.125) - "...The songs don't rely on solidly welded melodies or razor-sharp lyrical detail as much as on turbulent orchestration, nudged-along beats, and a vague, undefined sense of inner turmoil...the results are chilly pop elegance..." - Rating: B+