From SOUL 2
Written by Vinnie Barrett & Bobby Eli
“Love Won’t Let Me Wait” is a gorgeous soul ballad co-written in the first half of the seventies by female songwriter/musician Vinnie Barrett and noted songwriter/producer Bobbi Eli. Eli was a founding member of the popular Philly Soul combo, MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother). “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” was originally sung by Major Harris (1947-2012), a former member of The Delfonics, on his 1974 debut solo album My Way.
from SOUL
Written by Deniece Williams, Hank Redd, Nathan Watts, Susaye Greene
“Free” was a soul/R&B evergreen originally included in Deniece Williams’ 1976 album, This Is Niecy. Ms. Williams co-wrote the song with fellow Stevie Wonder “Wonderlove” alumni Hank Redd, Nathan Watts and Susaye Green. This enchanting smooth jam was produced by two geniuses; the late Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire (1941-2016) and arranger extraordinaire Charles Stepney (1931-1976). Their unique musicality gave Ms. Williams the perfect landscape to let her four-octave voice shine and together they created a true work of art. Sadly, Stepney died just a few months before the release of This Is Niecy. “Free” was released as a single in March 1976, reached #2 on the US R&B chart and #25 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Almost two years later, “Free” went to #1 in the UK.
from I AM YOUR MAN (single)
Written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson
In the fall of 2009, UK superstar Seal released “I Am Your Man,” the new single from his “best of” collection aptly titled Hits. After the multi-platinum success of Soul in 2008, Seal again collaborated with David Foster on this new track that was one more cover of a soul tune from the sixties.
from SEAL 6: COMMITMENT
written by Seal & Gus Isidore
“I asked David [Foster] to produce Commitment because, quite simply, he’s the most incredible person I’ve worked with in the studio for a very long time. He’s one of a kind. I don’t think there’s an arranger and producer anywhere on the planet who can do what he does.”
from I CAN’T STAND THE RAIN/IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (single)
written by Steve Cropper & Wilson Pickett, Jr.
Produced by David Foster and co-produced by Jochem van der Saag, Seal’s 2008 “Soul” was a collection of contemporized covers of r&b classics and became a top seller in several countries worldwide. “Soul” was eventually certified gold in the US, platinum in the UK and diamond in France. The album was introduced to international audiences by the popular cover of Sam Cooke’s hit, “A Change Is Gonna Come” that ignited great interest in this new release. In the months that followed, several other singles from that cd made their appearances in the music charts of many different countries.
