When you think about “love” albums, you first have to decide if these are albums that were recorded to convey thoughts about “love,” or to get you into the mood to be wooed. Generally speaking, instrumental albums were for the latter, while vocalists sometimes combined the two, or put out a mood for you to commiserate with. Maybe some day I’ll make a list of “romantic” albums with Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, John Coltrane’s Ballads, and Ben Webster’s meeting with Art Tatum at the top of the list, but until then, here’s a dozen albums by vocalists that are what dreams are made of.
1) Chet Baker Sings-with Russ Freeman at the piano, Baker changes the world of singing with versions of “My Funny Valentine” and “Look for the Silver Lining” that still resonate
2) Chet Baker Sings It Could Happen to You-a few years later Baker teams up with Kenny Drew and Philly Joe Jones for another cozy set that includes “I’m Old Fashioned “ and the title track
3) Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong (& Again).-this is love for people who are more “mature” in their years. No lust or hot blooded swinging from the chandeliers; this is two people in their autumn years sitting on the back porch and delivering a warm rich ember of love. “Moonlight in Vermont” and “The Nearness of You” never sounded more convincing.
4) Jackie Ryan-Best of Love Songs-this lady oozes on everything she releases, and this collection is culled from her catalogue. There’s no more romantic lady out there today, folks!
5) Joao Gilberto-O Amor, O Sorriso e a Flor-I have NO idea what he’s singing about, as my Portuguese is nil, but this 1960 session with him in soto voce on “Corcovado” and “Desifinado” brims over with romantic love.
6) Nat “King” Cole-Sings for Two In Love. Most people don’t know that this 1954 concept album actually preceded Frank Sinatra’s more popular releases on the same topic. Nelson Riddle delivers perfect framework for Cole to croon on 
a cheerful “Almost Like Being in Love” and a heart on sleeved “Autumn Leaves.” WOW
7) Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto-Getz/Gilberto-Even if you’ve sworn off dating and have become a monk at Mount Athos Monastary, this album that introduced Jobim, Getz and two Gilbertos is essential listening on a plethora of levels.
8) Frank Sinatra-There’s only one way to give Sinatra justice, and that is to put him into two categories: The first one is “Happy Relationship Frank”-this consists of his optimistic albums such as “Swing Easy”, “Come Fly With Me,” “Songs for Young Lovers” and of course the iconic “Songs For 
Swinging Lovers” which includes the all time romance song “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” that still has people discussing it on the internet.
9) Frank Sinatra’s “Bad Relationship” series. Post Ava, post Lana, post who knows who; these albums are the ones that you’ll listen to when the relationship is, as Woody Allen said, “A Dead Shark.” Stay away from sharp objects when you take in Where Are You? No One Cares, Only the Lonely, and the essential In The Wee Small Hours. Can pain ever feel this good?
10) Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim-The best of two worlds-Sinatra’s reflective day dreams about love at his most personal, with Jobim providing quiet chords on his guitar.
11) Freddy Cole-Love Makes the Changes. Yes, older brother Nat got all the fame, but Freddy has put out a steady catalogue that focuses on more obscure tunes and therefore making them all his own. This ’98 session with Cedar Walton and Grover Washington Jr is going to make you want to get all his material, with tunes by Burke, Le Grand tunes and even Billy Joel puree’d through Coles Ugg boots warm and comfy delivery.
12) Johnny Hartman & John Coltrane-Hartman’s I Just Dropped By to Say Hello and One From the Heart run a close second, but this one-off with John Coltrane’s Quartet is the 
definite “must have.” Every time I play a Hartman album in my office, some woman will stop by and ask with a sigh “Who IS that singing?” Any more questions?