vinylfanatics.com

**★★★★☆**

There's something deliciously ironic about an album titled "Unforgettable" that many casual music fans have, well, forgotten. Released in 1952, this Capitol Records gem captures Nat "King" Cole at a fascinating crossroads – a man caught between his jazz piano roots and his destiny as one of America's greatest crooners, all while navigating the treacherous waters of racial prejudice in the music industry.

By 1952, Cole had already transformed himself from the leader of the groundbreaking King Cole Trio into a solo artist whose velvet voice was making him a household name. Capitol Records, still finding its feet as a major label, recognised they had lightning in a bottle. The sessions for "Unforgettable" came at a time when Cole was increasingly confident in his vocal abilities, having largely abandoned his piano-centric approach for the microphone. This wasn't without controversy among jazz purists who felt he was selling out, but Cole understood something they didn't – he was creating a new template for popular music that would influence everyone from Frank Sinatra to Tony Bennett.

The album's sound is pure sophistication, dripping with the kind of orchestral arrangements that defined the early 1950s. Working with arranger Nelson Riddle and others, Cole crafted a collection that sits comfortably in the Great American Songbook tradition while maintaining his unique approach to phrasing and rhythm. His voice, warm as aged whiskey and smooth as silk, glides over lush string sections and subtle jazz instrumentation with an ease that makes the complex seem effortless.

The title track, "Unforgettable," stands as perhaps Cole's greatest vocal performance – a masterclass in restraint and emotion that would later become his signature song. His delivery is intimate yet universal, as if he's singing directly to you while somehow capturing the feelings of millions. The way he caresses the word "unforgettable" itself, stretching it like taffy without ever losing its shape, remains one of popular music's most perfect moments. Decades later, when his daughter Natalie created that haunting duet with his recorded voice, it only served to highlight the timeless quality of the original.

"Mona Lisa" showcases another side of Cole's artistry – his ability to inhabit a song completely. The track, which had already given him a number one hit, appears here in definitive form. There's a painter's precision in how he colours each phrase, building the portrait of his mysterious subject with vocal brushstrokes that are both economical and rich. The orchestration swells and recedes like ocean waves, never overwhelming Cole's delicate delivery.

"Too Young" demonstrates his remarkable range, tackling a song that could easily become saccharine in lesser hands. Instead, Cole finds the genuine emotion beneath the surface, delivering a performance that's both tender and knowing. His jazz background shows through in his rhythmic choices – the way he plays with time signatures and syncopation while never losing the song's essential sweetness.

The album's quieter moments, like "Red Sails in the Sunset" and "Embrace You," reveal Cole's gift for making even the most familiar standards feel newly minted. His phrasing is conversational yet musical, as if he's discovered these songs moments before recording them. The arrangements support rather than dominate, creating space for Cole's voice to work its magic.

What strikes you most about "Unforgettable" is its maturity. This isn't a young artist finding his voice – it's a master craftsman at the height of his powers, completely comfortable in his own skin. Cole had faced down racism in the music industry, dealt with criticism from jazz purists, and emerged as something entirely new – a Black artist who could cross over without compromising his dignity or artistic integrity.

Today, "Unforgettable" stands as a monument to a particular moment in American popular music when sophistication and accessibility weren't mutually exclusive. In our current era of manufactured pop and algorithmic playlists, Cole's approach feels almost revolutionary – the idea that a singer could simply stand before a microphone and, through sheer artistry and emotional honesty, create something genuinely moving.

The album's influence echoes through decades of popular music, from the jazz-influenced pop of the 1960s to contemporary artists like Michael Bublé and Diana Krall. "Unforgettable" isn't just a collection of songs – it's a blueprint for how to honour tradition while creating something entirely personal. Sixty years on, it remains exactly what its title promises: truly unforgettable.