Nat “King” Cole’ s music is the perfect combination of romantic charm and musical invention. Cole is renowed for his big production numbers and pop hits such hits as “Stardust” , but he was also an accomplished and unique jazz pianist and excelled in a small-group setting. This is precious music and without doubt, one of Cole’s best records.

For anybody looking into understand the depth and breadth of Cole’s jazz roots, this disc is an excellent point of departure.

Nat returned to the piano and the sound of his great '40s trio for this 1956 gem, here augmented by five additional tracks and one alternate take! Violinist Stuff Smith, alto saxophonist Willie Smith and trombonist Juan Tizol are featured on four songs each, while trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison stars on five tunes, including mellow, late-night remakes of Sweet Lorraine; Route 66 , and It's Only a Paper Moon.

One of the unfortunate consequences of Nat “King” Cole’s exquisite career as a vocalist is that many fans have forgotten what an exceptional pianist he was. Moreover, Cole influenced pianists as chronologically and geographically divergent as Oscar Peterson, Brazil’s Tania Maria, and Diana Krall.

 In a recording featuring such luminaries as Harry “Sweets” Edison on trumpet, and the often forgotten violinist Stuff Smith, After Midnight is the perfect offering for any fan of the Nat “King” Cole Trio as well as those fans who are more familiar with Cole as a vocalist. A perfect blend is found here. L. J. Allen

SIDE A:
1 JUST YOU, JUST ME
2 SWEET LORRAINE
3 SOMETIMES I’M HAPPY
4 CARAVAN
5 IT’S ONLY A PAPER MOON
6 YOU’RE LOOKING AT ME
7 I WAS A LITTLE TOO LONELY (AND YOU WERE A LITTLE TOO LATE) (*)

SIDE B:
1 THE LONELY ONE
2 DON’T LET IT GO TO YOUR HEAD
3 I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW
4 BLAME IT ON MY YOUTH
5 WHEN I GROW TOO OLD TO DREAM
6 (GET YOUR KICKS ON) ROUTE 66
7 CANDY (*)

(*) BONUS TRACKS: From the same sessions. Not on the original LP.