Seal’s record contract with Warner Bros. Records expired with the release of his 2015 studio album 7. Two years later, in November 2017 we see the release of a new Seal studio album Standards via the Decca Records and Virgin EMI Records labels.

In announcing the release of his new album, Seal is quoted for a press release as follows:  “This is the album I have always wanted to make. I grew up listening to music from the Rat Pack era, so recording these timeless tunes was a lifelong dream. It was a true honour to collaborate with the same musicians who performed with Frank Sinatra and so many of my favourite artists, in the very same studios where the magic was first made – it was one of the greatest days of my recording career.”

Seal’s new album brings the glamour of Old Hollywood straight to the present. It is a natural successor to his series of soul records, made a decade ago, which sold over 5 million copies around the world.

Standards hears Seal’s signature, velvety warm vocals bring to life classics made popular by Frank Sinatra ( such as “Luck Be A Lady”, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “It Was A Very Good Year )”, Ella Fitzgerald ( “I’m Beginning to See The Light” ) and Nina Simone ( “I Put A Spell on You” ).

Elsewhere, there are lush orchestral moments captured on “Smile” ( Charlie Chaplin ) and the Cole Porter gem, “Love For Sale”.

The unmistakeable richness of Standards is largely down to Seal’s choice to collaborate with the very same, legendary musicians who have performed with Frank Sinatra: Randy Waldman (pianist who toured with Sinatra and Paul Anka), Chuck Berghofer (bass player, who had performed with Ella Fitzgerald and Gerry Mulligan) and Greg Fields (drummer who performed with Frank Sinatra and The Count Bassie Orchestra).

The sound of Seal’s new album is also shaped by three renowned collaborators: Grammy-nominated British producer Nick Patrick (who has worked with luminaries including Tina Turner and Marvin Gaye and enjoyed huge chart success with his pioneering Elvis orchestral albums), multi Grammy-nominated arranger Chris Walden, and legendary engineer Don Murray. The Puppini Sisters contribute vocals on “I'm Beginning To See The Light”.

The making of Standards became a real pilgrimage for the Grammy Award- winning artist. The songs were recorded in the famous Capitol Records in Los Angeles (the very studio where Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat “King” Cole and many others have created some of the most treasured music of our time), and United Studios, which was established by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, where the latter recorded It Was A Very Good Year.

In a career spanning three decades, racking up over 30 million records sales worldwide and a string of Grammy, Brit and Ivor Novello awards along the way, Seal continues to shine as one of the world’s brightest music stars. His new album is full of musical gems, which glisten when brought to life with his stunning voice.

The album has reached #17 on the UK and #32 on the Australian Albums chart.