With the release of his latest CD, Soul, gifted singer-songwriter Seal (also known as Mr. Heidi Klum) seems to be in fall-back-and-punt mode.

It’s a familiar ploy among artists who hit career droughts: crank out a dozen or so covers of old-school hits and hope for some airplay. Rod Stewart did it with his Great American Songbook—and he’s been cruising on it for the past five years.

One expects better of Seal, who has never been less than passionate about his music. And he might have succeeded with this collection if the tunes had not been so assiduously covered elsewhere.     

Who needs to hear yet another rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” James Brown’s “It’s A Man’s World” or Al Green’s “Here I Am?” At this stage, even great takes on these old classics seem a little pointless.

Seal’s second mistake is his decision to wrap these gritty tunes in strings and synth, making big production numbers out of what should have been pared-down soul-pop numbers.

The one thrill on Soul is the singer’s version of Deneice Williams’ oft-forgotten anthem to personal liberty, “Free,” recorded way back in 1976 (OMG, the Bicentennial year! Is anybody reading this who was alive then?). Seal’s version, like Neicy’s, is gorgeous, great and yummy.   

If Seal had packed this CD with other deserving but obscure songs like “Free,” and left off the plush overproduction, the collection would have been a real winner. He’s a hell of a performer, but Seal may not win many hearts with Soul.

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