Though news commentators failed to pick up on it, most real soul fans homed in on the SAM COOKE reference in BARACK OBAMA’S wonderful acceptance speech last week. Paraphrasing the COOKE anthem ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, he said, “It’s been a long time coming, but a change HAS come.” By extraordinary co-incidence the song is one of the focal points on SEAL’S brand new album, ‘Soul’. By common consent, it’s acknowledged that SEAL has a remarkable voice but so far he’s failed to connect with the soul community. Here, on this seventh full LP, he chooses to cover a set of songs that have been inspirational to him in his life and career and so far the album’s had a warm reception with tracks being playlisted on a number of soul radio stations. Along with the COOKE classic, you can also enjoy SEAL’S takes on (amongst others) AL GREEN’S ‘Still In Love With You’, ANN PEEBLES’ ‘I Can’t Stand The Rain’ and JAMES BROWN’S ‘It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World’. There are also two IMPRESSIONS’ songs on the set – ‘People Get Ready and ‘It’s Alright’. Label is WEA.
