Freddy Cole has made a remarkable career NOT cashing in on his legendary brother’s name, preferring to be known by his selection and delivery of tasty treats. This album is one of the few times he makes references to Nat “King” Cole, and it’s not an imitation but a tribute to the master. Cole keeps the instrumentation different from the “classic” Cole Trio, being supported by John Di Martino/p, Randy Napoleon/g, Elias Bailey/b and Quentin Baxter/dr along with Houston Person on tenor for a few songs and a horn team of Harry Allen/ts, Josh Brown/tb and Joe Mabnarelli/tb on a few others.
Cole himself is as leathery and warm as Mike Piazza’s catcher’s mitt, delivering jazz reads of obscurities like “That’s My Girl” and a Latin toned “Jet” with the swinging horn section. Person blows in like a London Fog on a relaxed “Easy To Remember” and both are masterly winsome on “Exactly Like You.” He pulls songs from under dusty libraries, somewhere finding Irving Berlin’s “Maybe It’s Because I Love You Too Much” and producing a gem.
As for references to his brother, his piano and vocal intro to “Mona Lisa” is a delight, while with Napoleon he gives an earnest tip of the beret on his own composed title track. Maybe someone will someday to a songbook of the younger brother.
High Note Records