In a prolific career Nat King Cole cut 1600 recordings. Most were led by a voice that would have made anything sound good. Cole is remembered best as a balladeer surrounded by strings, but this collection harkens back to the years 1938 to 1945, when Nat part of the now less well-known King Cole Trio. Cole was the swinging small combo's leader, arranger, vocalist and pianist - in fact, he was one of the finest jazz pianists of his generation - one of the few who could challenge Art Tatum. These remastered radio transcriptions show the trio in relaxed, creative form - it's style fully formed. It is fascinating too, to hear Cole's voice in an early manifestation - already compelling and authoritive. Here, then, is a classic era of Jazz represented by one of it's finest exponents. Cole's would go on to become of the most recognizable voices of the 20th century. Arguably, though, he never made better music than he makes here.
