RE: Generations

Various Artists
Capitol/EMI

Aug 12, 2009 at 5:00 am
RE: Generations

The remixing of classic artists’ songs by new producers has been tried before, most notably and miserably with a remix collection of old Miles Davis songs. However, Nat King Cole’s voice is timeless and lends itself to anything with melody, unlike the instrumental meandering of Davis. Using a handful of modern producers, they seem to have updated Cole’s sound without challenging the integrity of his original songs. The album features a host of musicians that come to pay tribute, as opposed to self-glorification. Will.i.am, TV on the Radio, Just Blaze and Nas are all in attendance here, as well as Cole’s daughters Natalie and Carole. Cee-Lo Green does spectacular work to “Lush Life” — even adding turntable hisses and pops complementing, while recreating, the original intimacy of Cole’s silky voice.