"Soul 2" is the eighth studio album by British soul/R&B artist Seal, released on November 4, 2011. Following the success of his 2008 cover album Soul, this sequel features a collection of classic soul songs primarily from the 1970s, including tracks originally by Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Al Green, and Teddy Pendergrass. The album was produced by David Foster, Jochem van der Saag, and longtime collaborator Trevor Horn.
The lead single, "Let's Stay Together," was released on September 30, 2011, and helped set the tone for the album. Soul 2 achieved commercial success, peaking at number 17 on the UK Albums Chart and debuting at number 8 on the US Billboard 200, with 27,000 copies sold in its first week. By January 2012, it had sold over 114,000 copies in the UK, and as of October 2015, it reached a total of 115,000 sales in the US.
In describing the album, Seal emphasized the importance of collaboration and the enduring power of classic songs, stating, "The voice and more importantly, the song" remain central to his musical journey. The album cover features a photograph taken by his friend Steve Huff during a performance in Paris, capturing the essence of Seal's soulful artistry. Overall, Soul 2 showcases Seal's rich vocal style while paying tribute to the timelessness of soul music.
