Search - Seal :: Hits

Only buy the 2CD deluxe edition...why it wasn't a US release

Larry Davis | NYC/Long Island, NY | 12/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Disc: 1

1. I Am Your Man (new song)

2. Kiss From A Rose

3. Crazy

4. Fly Like An Eagle

5. Love's Divine

6. A Change Is Gonna Come

7. Amazing

8. Get It Together

9. My Vision - Jakatta & Seal (single version)

10. Prayer For The Dying

11. I Can't Stand The Rain

12. Waiting For You

13. The Beginning (US Single Remix)

14. The Right Life (Remix Radio Edit)

15. Don't Cry

16. Rolling

17. If You Don't Know Me By Now

18. Violet (7" Acoustic Version)

Disc: 2

1. Killer (Seal album version)

2. Future Love Paradise (12"/E.P version)

3. Human Beings

4. A Father's Way (From The Pursuit Of Happyness soundtrack)

5. Love Is Powerful (full-length vocal mix)

6. Colour

7. Free

8. Latest Craze

9. System

10. Newborn Friend (Morales Radio Mix)

11. Lips Like Sugar

12. This Could Be Heaven (From The Family Man soundtrack)

13. Les Mots - Mylene Farmer & Seal (single version)

14. It's A Man's Man's Man's World

15. Soul Medley: Get It Together / Here I Am / Knock On Wood (new live track)

16. Thank You - (new song)



THAT's what should have come out in the US, instead of the CD/DVD...it has "Human Beings", various songs from soundtracks, the 2 new songs, duets with foreign singers like "Let Mots (Words)" with French Canadian singer Mylene Farmer, as a bilingual collaboration...however, it'd be nice if the DVD "Soul Live" was available separately, or as a bonus DVD with the "Soul" CD instead...that would be ideal...I'm only going to buy this import, period."

Seal's Second Soul

Michael Kerner | Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. | 12/08/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When it has came down to great R&B singers, there are honestly few and far between that at their highest peaks that can deliver a universal sound that can be strong and distinctive. It is definitely a surprise that Seal still remains one of them after nearly 20 years in the industry, since he broke out in the 90's. He has transformed himself so many times from a Pop singer, to a surprising R&B crooner over the years, all the way to becoming Mr. Heidi Klum in his recent years. Nevertheless, he hasn't lost that need to make great music all his own. He has showcased so many great sides of himself, that honestly have gotten better with age at times, but not completely. Now, he has a second greatest hits album that just came out, but is this one that simply flies like an eagle, or crashes the ways of the system he scored a few years ago. Well, here is the deal with Hits.



Seal's 2009 greatest hits album, simply named Hits, is a strong but simple retrospective of why Seal's songs have showcased the test of time. There are 2 different versions of this greatest hits package, but this review is just for the single disc collection. The collection builds on what was already strong and definitive from Seal with his well-recognized 2004 Best Of 1991-2004 single disc hits collection, and instead adds up some of his recent songs from his last two albums, the lackluster System, and his 2008 covers' record Soul. The songs have all been remastered very well, but some of the tracks strip down to their edited versions from radio as is the case on his early hits like Prayer For The Dying, Crazy, and a few of his other beginnings. There are a few other greats here including his recent hits like Amazing, his covers from Soul like A Change Is Gonna Come, and his cover of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes standard If You Don't Know Me By Now. There also is a new song here called I Am Your Man, which is fair, and builds on the moods that Seal left off from Soul, but not anything spectactular. Also, the collection also does overshadow a few of Seal's classic songs including the deep and strong Human Beings, and This Could Be Heaven, which both of those tracks are available on the deluxe version, and should've been displayed here instead of weak and less than favorable songs like Future Love Paradise and Rolling.



All in all, despite a few overshadowed songs, and a few weak songs, Seal's Hits isn't a bad collection for anyone who is a hard core fan of Seal's over the years, but not as much of a definitive must have as it could've been. If you're new to Seal and his great songs, than this would be a great buy, but otherwise, I'd really suggest you stay with his Best of 1991-2004 instead. Seal has had his ups and downs, but this collection has shown to be a mixed bag of actions.



Album Cover: B



Songs: C+



Price: C+



Remastering: B-



Overall: C+"