Seal - 6: Commitment (Japan 2010)

Seal lays bare the theme of his sixth album in its title: this record -- his first collection of original songs since 2007’s System -- is all about commitment, staying true in a long-lasting love. It could also be said that Seal is committed on a professional level, not just a personal one, remaining faithful to the coolly synthesized adult contemporary soul he pioneered way back in 1991, perhaps adding a little of the big band flourishes of 2008’s Soul but otherwise offering an album as consistent and familiar as its five predecessors. The differences are subtle, existing in the content of the songs or the overall tone of the album, with Commitment feeling warmer and more inviting than System, which is only appropriate for an album about longtime love. If no one song grabs attention, there are no dips in mood or momentum, it maintains its luxurious hold from beginning to end.