The Complete Capitol Recordings of the Nat King Cole Trio. - sound recording reviews

Ebony, April, 1992 by Lynn Norment

THE Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio Mosaic) is a must-have for music collectors of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. This magnificent collection of 18 compact discs (27 Lps) features 347 songs recorded by the multi talented entertainer and his trio from 1942 through 1961, Cole, an accomplished pianist and songwriter/arranger, was accompanied by guitarists Oscar Moore and Irving Ashby, bassists johnny Miller and joe Comfort, and percussionist joe Costanzo. Featured are most of Cole's well known tunes, including "Sweet Lorraine," "The Christmas Song," "Embraceable You" and "Straighten Up and Fly Right," which was the trio's biggest hit. Throughout the collection Cole demonstrates his enormous capacity for melody, humor and wit as he spices his songs with topical references. This compilation represents just one chapter in a brilliant though abbreviated career that was exceptionally full and active. (Available only from Mosaic Records, 35 Melrose Place, Sufford, CT 06902.)

Jody Watley is just as smooth and sensuous as ever on Affairs of the Heart (MCA). With a theme she describes as "love, togetherness, communication and commitment," the recording includes mellow ballads as well as driving uptempo songs. Executive producer Watley co-wrote nine of the 11 songs, including "Affairs Of The Heart, " Always And Forever," "Strange Way," "Call On Me- and -I Want You,all of which are joint collabortions with her romantic and musical partner, Andre Cymone. More so than on previous recordings, free-spirited Watley showcases her silky voice with more ballads and mid-tempo tunes. It is a move in the right direction.

Good gospel music never becomes outdated; it just gets better. And Edwin Hawkins'music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir (Fixit) is a prime example. On this product, which was recorded live at Pasadena College in California with a 500-voice choir, the veteran gospel music master delivers uplifting performances of old and new songs. The lead vocals from Shun-pace Rhodes are exceptional on "I Tried Him for Myself," as are those from john P Kee on "He's Sweet I Know." Actor Danny Glover introduces "Oh Happy Day," the Edwin Hawkins gospel classic that is celebrating it's 20th anniversary.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: Marcus Roberts, As Serenity Approaches (RCA/Novus); Maxi Priest, Best Of Me (Charisma); various artists, Bahia Black, Ritual Beating System (Axiom); debut from pianist Kenny Drew jr. (Antilles); Mint Condition, Meant To Be Mint (Perspective); debut from Bryan Loren, Music From The New World (Arista); Dee Harvey, just As I Am (Motown); Ce Ce Peniston, Finally (A&M); drummer Ronald Shannon jackson, Red Warrior (Axiom); Charlie Patton, King Of The Delta Blues (Yazoo); and Inez Andrews, Raise A Nation (Word).