Nat "King" Cole's 16 trio recordings for Decca have been reissued many times (including on this CD), and rightfully so.
Cole was already one of the top swing pianists by 1940, his vocal style (best displayed on his first hit "Sweet Lorraine") was quite recognizable, and his trio with guitarist
Oscar Moore and bassist
Wesley Prince had a memorable sound.
Cole's Decca records (his first for a major label) were a breakthrough for
Nat, although his Capitol recordings (which started in 1943) really paved the way toward major success. In addition to "Sweet Lorraine," highlights of this fine CD include "Honeysuckle Rose," "I Like to Riff," and "Hit That Jive, Jack" (which has the
Trio's most famous group vocal). ~ Scott Yanow