Seal

Artist : Seal Album : Seal IV (Warner Music)

On hiatus for five years, Seal Henry Samuel is back, this time with a more accessible sound. In other words, it is more pop, less soul and a bit too many drum loops.

Don't assume the British-born artist is selling out, although he once complained that 1998's Human Beings did not sell well, and that he was paying the price for making the music he wants rather than what the record company dictates.

It is just that Seal IV lacks the lushness, emotion and poetry found in his previous work, especially the classic 1991 self- titled album.

Which is not to say that this album is unworthy. It is better than most recent releases from pop/R&B singers. And Seal's dramatic golden voice, with the grainy vocals, is still irresistible.

From a blend of soul and dance-pop, he adds more dance-pop, inserts some horn section (the upbeat Get It Together) and brings in a bit of reggae (Where There's Gold).

With odes to love, forgiveness and world peace, the standout tracks from this album are My Vision, Let Me Roll and the sparkling ballad Touch. Touching indeed, but I still yearn for the old Seal. -- Hera Diani