In the pantheon of great musical comebacks, few shine as brightly or as poignantly as Natalie Cole’s 1991 album, Unforgettable... With Love . Released on June 11, 1991, via Elektra Records, this collection of standards—originally made famous by her father, the legendary Nat King Cole—did more than revive a career. It bridged generations, healed familial wounds through technology, and went on to sell over 14 million copies worldwide.
This wasn't just a gimmick; it was a carefully crafted homage. Recording engineer Al Schmitt utilized a Neumann U67 microphone on Natalie, carefully matching the sonic characteristics of the 1951 Neumann U47 that Nat "King" Cole had used on the original recording. The resulting duet, where Natalie's voice seamlessly blended with her father’s, was an emotional triumph that showcased a new level of sonic respect between generations. A Return to Roots and a Shift in Sound natalie cole unforgettable with love 1991 elektrarar
Unforgettable… with Love is a rare instance where marketing concept, technological innovation, and emotional sincerity aligned perfectly. It is, true to its name, unforgettable. In the pantheon of great musical comebacks, few
The song's success helped to introduce Nat King Cole's music to a new generation, while also establishing Natalie Cole as a talented artist in her own right. The duet has been certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA and has been named one of the greatest love songs of all time by various publications. The resulting duet, where Natalie's voice seamlessly blended
In the landscape of early 1990s pop, dominated by the rise of hip-hop, the grit of grunge, and the polished sheen of adult contemporary, one album achieved a seemingly impossible feat: it made the Great American Songbook cool again.
Music Journalist & Vinyl Collector