Hello and welcome to VinylCast.

For nearly twenty years, Natalie Cole refused to sing her father’s music during her live concerts. She built a deliberate wall to separate her own R&B identity from his towering shadow. But in 1991, that wall came crumbling down.

This is the story of *Unforgettable... with Love*.

Released on June 11, 1991, this album was a massive risk. Her label, Capitol Records—the very house her father helped build—had passed on the project, fearing a tribute album wouldn't sell. Unwilling to compromise, Natalie signed with Elektra Records to make it happen.

The sessions took place in legendary spaces, including Oceanway and the hallowed Capitol Studios, where Nat King Cole had recorded decades earlier. The centerpiece of the project was the title track, a virtual duet that required "sonic surgery." Producers David Foster and Tommy LiPuma, alongside engineer Al Schmitt, had to excavate Nat’s original 1951 vocal. Using early digital technology, they meticulously muted the original arrangement, carving out space for the daughter to sing with her father.

The recording process combined high-tech precision with family intimacy. For the title track, the team captured a 55-piece orchestra to match the warmth of the original era. The piano bench was even occupied by family: Natalie’s uncle, Ike Cole, provided the accompaniment. Natalie herself produced the vocal arrangements and nailed her performance in just three or four takes.

The gamble paid off. When Natalie’s mother, Maria, heard the finished mix, she was moved to tears. The public agreed: the album was certified 7x Platinum and dominated the 1992 Grammy Awards, winning Album of the Year and Best Engineered Recording.

By merging the past and present, Natalie Cole didn't just cover these songs. She reclaimed her lineage.

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