In the Name of Love
Freddy Cole grew up as part of musical household, with his brotherNatmaking the family name familiar around the world. Freddy shares with his older brother (twelve years his senior) a similar vocal smoothness, that wraps itself around ballads with lush ease. Cole follows albums which acknowledged some of his defining influences (Merry-Go-Round, on which he paid homage to such jazz/pop elders as Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Peggy Lee, and Jerome Kern) and his love of Brazilian music (Rio de Janeiro Blue) with this set of popular love songs. FromBoz Scaggs' "Harbor Lights," toSmokey Robinson's "Just to See Her" andVan Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," slow romantic grooves are rolled out with supple support and sympathetic arrangements. Cole's confident and fully engaged performances make even a song like Mike Reid's "I Can't Make You Love Me"--so associated withBonnie Raitt, who took it to the top of the charts--completely his own.--David Greenberger