"Standards" is the tenth studio album by British soul and R&B singer-songwriter Seal, released on November 10, 2017, through Decca Records and Virgin EMI Records. The album marks a departure from Seal's earlier work, as it features classic songs from the American jazz and pop standards repertoire, capturing the essence of the Rat Pack era, which greatly influenced Seal's musical upbringing.
With the release of 7 in 2015, Seal ended his long-standing contract with Warner Bros. Records, signaling a potential shift in his musical direction. In an August 2017 interview with Billboard, Seal revealed that he no longer planned to release traditional studio albums in the future, citing a shift in the music industry and a desire to step away from the conventional process of recording albums. He stated, “The concept of going into a studio for however long and making a concept album... I don’t know if that’s relevant these days.”
Nevertheless, Seal found inspiration for a new project and, in September 2017, Universal Music announced the release of Standards, which would become a deeply personal project for the artist. Reflecting on his childhood, Seal revealed that he had grown up listening to music from the Rat Pack era, and recording a collection of timeless standards was a lifelong dream. Seal explained that the album was a tribute to the music that had shaped his taste, and that collaborating with musicians who had played with legendary artists like Frank Sinatra was a “true honour.”
The album was produced by Nick Patrick, with arrangements and conducting by Chris Walden. Standards was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, a historic venue famously associated with the greats of jazz, including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Dean Martin. Seal worked with top-tier musicians who had performed with Sinatra and other legendary artists of the 20th century, bringing authenticity to the project. The studio, known for its rich history and classic acoustics, was the perfect environment to capture the timeless qualities of the standards featured on the album.
Standards includes a collection of beloved jazz and pop standards, many of which have been made famous by artists like Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and others from the mid-20th century. Some of the tracks on the album include "Luck Be a Lady" (originally performed by Frank Sinatra), "My Funny Valentine" (originally by Rodgers and Hart), "They Can't Take That Away from Me" (written by George and Ira Gershwin), "Autumn Leaves" (a classic that has been interpreted by countless artists, including Sinatra and Nat King Cole), "I've Got You Under My Skin" (a Sinatra standard), and "The Look of Love" (originally performed by Dusty Springfield).
Standards was met with positive reviews for its lush orchestral arrangements and Seal's smooth, emotive voice, which fit the material perfectly. Critics appreciated his ability to breathe new life into these timeless songs, with his soulful interpretation bringing a modern sensibility to the old standards. While the album didn't chart as high as Seal's earlier pop and soul records, it was well-received by fans of jazz and standards music, and it was praised for its authenticity and craftsmanship.
In a broader sense, Standards serves as a reflection of Seal's evolving artistic journey. It is an album deeply rooted in nostalgia and reverence for the music that shaped his youth, but it also represents a departure from his usual style of pop and soul music, marking a special moment in his career. Seal’s rendition of these classics, backed by impeccable musicianship, resonated with listeners who appreciated both the familiarity of the material and the fresh spin he brought to it.
Seal’s work on Standards is a tribute to the legacy of jazz and the iconic vocalists who defined that golden era of American music, showing his versatility as an artist and his ability to reinvent himself creatively. The album remains a special part of his discography, particularly for those who appreciate the timelessness of the jazz standards tradition.
