Nat king Cole's legacy celebrated with new CD, 'The World of Nat king Cole"

Jet, March 14, 2005

Nat King Cole's family is celebrating his legacy with the release of a greatest hits collection, The World Of Nat King Cole.

The new CD marks the 40th anniversary of the legendary singer-pianist's death.

The World of Nat King Cole features 28 remastered Cole classics, including his first big hit on Capitol Records, 1944's Straighten Up And Fly Right, which made the pop, R&B and country charts; Unforgettable, Mona Lisa, Ramblin' Rose, L-O-V-E, (Get Your Kicks) On Route 66, Almost Like Being In Love and It's Only a Paper Moon.

Cole's famed daughter, Natalie Cole, writes in the CD liner notes: "This special collection of songs commemorates the 40th anniversary of our father's death. But it's hard to believe it's been that long because his music is so very present and so much a part of our world. Any artist worth his or her salt will tell you that the greatest tribute you can earn is that your music stand the test of time.... Dad may be imitated but he will never be duplicated."

The CD also features the father and daughter duet of Unforgettable.

The new CD also marks Cole's return to Billboard's Top 50 in 40 years. Cole's last album to reach the Top 50 was

Unforgettable in 1965.

Cole was one of the first artists to sign with Capitol Records in 1942 and recorded more than 150 charting singles on Billboard's pop, R&B and country charts, a staggering record that remains unbroken by any other artist ever signed to the label. Cole had so many hits that Capitol was known as "The House That Nat Built." His records continue to sell in excess of 1 million albums per year.

A show business pioneer, he became the first Black to host a network variety series, "The Nat King Cole Show," in 1956.

The CD benefits VH1 Save the Music Foundation, a non-profit organization that restores music education in public schools across the nation.

The Biography Channel recently rebroadcast its Nat King Cole: Biography special in recognition of the 40th anniversary of his death.

An all-star TV special is slated for this spring, along with a DVD documentary featuring archival performance and behind-the-scenes film footage of Cole and interviews with the Cole family and Quincy Jones, Eartha Kitt, Isaac Hayes, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder and others.

Nat King Cole died February 15, 1965, at age 47 of lung cancer.