Freddy Cole - In The Name Of Love (2003)

In the Name of Love Review by Jonathan Widran
There's a good reason why Freddy Cole, despite his 50-year-long career as a jazz vocalist, isn't the household word his brother Nat King Cole was -- his voice is appealing and casually soulful, but hardly as emotional, compelling, or distinctive. But that's a bit like saying Jermaine Jackson isn't as great as Michael Jackson. How could anyone truly measure up? Family connections aside, Cole's low, gruff tone has an easygoing charm that is perfectly suited to the gentle arrangements of classics and new material. The old stuff includes soft pop gems popularized by Boz Scaggs, Smokey Robinson, Bonnie Raitt, and the perennially lovable Van Morrison chestnut "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You." Producer Jason Miles first worked with Cole on A Love Affair: The Music of Ivan Lins, and goes the Brazilian route again on Lins' easy samba-flavored "Remember Me," a likeable romantic duet with Jane Monheit. Now that Cole is back in the mainstream recording world, could a duet with niece Natalie be far off?