With the velvety tones of his sonorous voice, Gregory Porter has remained in a class by himself since his debut album, Water, at the start of the decade. Critics and fans alike continue to hold him in high esteem, for with each album, the GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter holds us captive with compelling narratives, flawless vocals and a pitch-perfect band led by longtime pianist/arranger Chip Crawford.
Porter tends to stick with original material, so his forthcoming Nat "King" Cole & Me album truly marks a departure from his norm. Still, when we got our first listen of his rendition of "Smile," we knew he made the right call. The music of Nat King Cole was an inspiration to Porter and it shows through his careful handling of the material. The recently-released visuals for "Smile" and amorous ditty "L-O-V-E" further enhance our anticipation for the project as Porter, surrounded by an orchestra on a soundstage, channels the debonair style and effortless cool of the late icon.
Watch the videos for "Smile" and "L-O-V-E" below, then whet your appetite even further by watching the album trailer. Both the standard and deluxe versions of Nat "King" Cole & Me are currently available for pre-order ahead of the October 27th release. As wonderful as he sounds on record, and as charming as he comes across on screen, you haven't really experienced his brilliance until you've seen him live. Be sure to visit Gregory Porter's website for upcoming tour dates around the world.
