Flutist Hubert Laws renders this tribute to Nat Cole with the kind of romantic, understated elegance that gave the vocalist his crown for so many decades.
Laws plays flute and alto flute, teamed on all tracks with Kamau Kenyatta on keyboards and sound modules. Gregory Porter handles the only vocal, “Smile.” Various artists play for other tracks, including bassist Rob Thorsen on “Unforgettable,” drummer Ralph Penland on “Mona Lisa” and “Answer Me.” A quartet version of “Too Young” features bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Richard Sellers.
Even with only one vocal track among the nine, the collection is a beautifully rendered memorial.
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