This album represents a pivotal career comeback for Natalie Cole, daughter of legendary crooner Nat King Cole. After battling substance abuse and experiencing declining sales in the late 1980s, Cole pivoted from R&B and pop to reinterpret her father’s classic songbook.
For the casual fan, Unforgettable... With Love is a beautiful album of timeless songs. For the dedicated collector, the search for the Natalie Cole Unforgettable With Love 1991 Elektrarar is a quest to hold a small, unique piece of that history. Whether it’s a misprint, a promo, or a phantom pressing from a forgotten plant, the "Elektrarar" reminds us that in the age of streaming, the physical object still holds power.
So next time you see a used copy of Natalie Cole’s masterpiece, don’t just look at the cover. Flip it over. Read the fine print. You just might be holding the elusive "Elektrarar"—a beautiful mistake in an otherwise perfect album.
Key Listening: "Unforgettable" (Duet), "Mona Lisa," "The Very Thought of You." Key Search Terms: Natalie Cole, Unforgettable With Love, 1991, Elektra Records, rare vinyl, promo LP, misprint CD, audiophile.
Perhaps the most bizarre "Elektrarar" is a specific CD pressing from a plant in Terre Haute, Indiana. A handful of collectors have reported a misprint where the spine of the back cover reads "ELEKTRARAR 60999-2" instead of "ELEKTRA 60999-2."
This is likely a simple typesetting error from 1991 that was caught and corrected within a single day. Only a few hundred copies escaped into the wild, primarily in the Midwest. For "error sleuth" collectors, this is the Holy Grail of Unforgettable... With Love variants. The CD plays perfectly, but the misspelling makes it a conversation piece.
9. Ave Maria
10. Too Young
11. Nature Boy
12. Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup
13. A Blossom Fell
14. Our Love Is Here To Stay
You're referring to the album details for Natalie Cole’s Unforgettable... with Love (1991).
Here’s a breakdown of your note:
Key context:
This album featured her famous duet with her late father, Nat King Cole, on the title track “Unforgettable,” using technology to blend her live vocals with his 1961 recording.
It won Album of the Year at the 1992 Grammys, plus several other Grammys.
If “Elektrarar” was meant to point to a specific rare Elektra pressing, no widely known “rar” edition exists — it may be a catalog code or personal shorthand. The standard catalog numbers for the original CD/vinyl are:
Would you like a full tracklist, Grammy details, or info on pressing variations?
Released on June 11, 1991, Unforgettable... with Love served as a watershed moment in the career of Natalie Cole. Departing from the R&B and pop sounds that defined her earlier success, Cole turned toward the standards of the Great American Songbook, specifically the repertoire of her father, the legendary Nat "King" Cole. The result was an artistic and commercial triumph that reshaped her musical legacy. Production and Creative Vision
The album marked Natalie Cole's debut for Elektra Records after leaving EMI. It was produced by a high-caliber team including André Fischer, David Foster, and Tommy LiPuma. For the first time in her professional life, Cole fully embraced her father's musical heritage—a move she had resisted for nearly 20 years.
A hallmark of the album was its lush, orchestral production, featuring arrangements by industry giants such as Ray Brown, Bill Holman, and Michel Legrand. Personal family touches further grounded the project, with her uncle Ike Cole providing piano accompaniment on several tracks. The Groundbreaking "Unforgettable" Duet
The centerpiece of the album was the title track, a "virtual duet" between Natalie and her late father. The "Unforgettable" Natalie Cole Arrangements
Natalie Cole achieved what many in the music industry thought was impossible: she successfully transitioned from a contemporary R&B star to a jazz chanteuse by embracing the shadow of her legendary father, Nat King Cole . Her twelfth studio album, Unforgettable… With Love , released under Elektra Records
, became a cultural phenomenon that defined a new era of "virtual duets" and revived interest in the Great American Songbook. A Bold Departure
Before 1991, Natalie Cole had largely avoided her father's repertoire to establish her own identity in soul and pop. However, her debut for
saw her dive headfirst into his catalog. At a time when grunge and hip-hop were beginning to dominate the airwaves, a 22-track collection of mid-century jazz standards was a massive gamble that her own label initially feared would not sell. The Technological Marvel: "Unforgettable"
Album Review: Natalie Cole, “Unforgettable…With Love” (1991)
Unforgettable... With Love: Natalie Cole’s Masterpiece Released on June 11, 1991, Unforgettable... With Love stands as the definitive tribute to the legendary Nat King Cole by his daughter, Natalie Cole. This 12th studio album marked her debut with Elektra Records after her release from EMI, fundamentally shifting her career from R&B and pop toward the standards of the Great American Songbook. A Revolutionary Duet
The album's centerpiece is the titular track, "Unforgettable," a "virtual duet" that electronically blended Natalie’s contemporary vocals with her father’s original 1951 recording. Produced by David Foster, this innovative track created a bridge across generations, becoming a massive commercial hit and reaching #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Critical and Commercial Success
The album was a juggernaut during the 1991–1992 awards season:
Grammy Sweep: It won seven Grammy Awards in 1992, including the "Big Three": Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.
Chart Dominance: It spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Sales: Certified 7x Platinum by the RIAA, selling over seven million copies in the U.S. alone. Track Highlights
The album features 22 tracks (plus bonus tracks on certain reissues) of standards immortalized by Nat King Cole: The "Unforgettable" Natalie Cole Arrangements
Released on June 11, 1991, by Elektra Records, Unforgettable... with Love is the twelfth studio album by American singer Natalie Cole. The album is a tribute to her father, Nat King Cole, and features her covering 22 of his classic jazz standards. Key Highlights
Virtual Duet: The album's centerpiece is the title track, "Unforgettable," which features a "virtual duet" between Natalie and her father by electronically mixing his original 1951 recording with her new vocals.
Chart Success: It spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 during the summer of 1991 and has sold over seven million copies in the U.S. alone.
Awards: The album and its title track won a total of seven Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.
Personnel: Production and arrangements were handled by industry legends including David Foster, Andre Fischer, and Ray Brown. Track Listing
The original 1991 release includes the following tracks (standard 22-track version): Side 1 1. The Very Thought of You 1. Straighten Up and Fly Right 1. Almost Like Being in Love 2. Paper Moon 2. Lush Life 2. Thou Swell 3. Route 66 3. That Sunday That Summer 3. Don't Get Around Much Anymore 3. Non Dimenticar 4. Mona Lisa 4. Orange Colored Sky 4. Too Young 4. Our Love Is Here to Stay 5. L-O-V-E
5. Medley: For Sentimental Reasons / Tenderly / Autumn Leaves 5. Nature Boy 5. Unforgettable 6. This Can't Be Love 6. Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup
Note: Some CD and digital reissues include bonus tracks like "At Last" and "Cottage for Sale". The "Unforgettable" Natalie Cole Arrangements
Natalie Cole 's 1991 album Unforgettable... with Love is more than just a tribute—it was a career-defining masterpiece that bridged two generations through the power of music. Released under Elektra Records, it marked a sharp departure from her established R&B sound, successfully reinventing her as a sophisticated interpreter of the Great American Songbook. A Masterful Tribute
The album features 22 tracks originally made famous by her father, the legendary Nat King Cole. Natalie avoids simple imitation, instead delivering the material with a smooth, effortless control that highlights her vocal versatility. Backed by lush, orchestral arrangements and exceptional production from David Foster and Tommy LiPuma, the record feels both timeless and impeccably polished. The Technical "Miracle"
The emotional and commercial centerpiece is the title track, "Unforgettable," a virtual duet between Natalie and her late father. In 1991, the technology used to blend Natalie’s live vocals with her father’s 1951 studio recording was revolutionary, creating a seamless, poignant performance that felt like a "miracle" captured on tape. Standout Tracks Album Review: Natalie Cole — Unforgettable…With Love
Natalie Cole 's Unforgettable... with Love, released on June 11, 1991, by Elektra Records , stands as a landmark in music history as both a technical marvel and a deeply personal tribute. The album, her twelfth studio release, famously features Natalie covering jazz standards made popular by her late father, Nat King Cole. Production & Technical Innovation
The album's centerpriece, the "Unforgettable" duet, was a groundbreaking technical achievement for the early '90s.
The album’s crown jewel, "Unforgettable," was a digital miracle. Using state-of-the-art (for 1991) recording technology, producer David Foster and engineer Al Schmitt extracted Nat King Cole’s original 1961 vocal track from a Capitol Records master tape. They then had Natalie sing a new duet part in the same key, syncing her phrasing to her father’s.
The result was breathtaking. When the song hit radio, listeners wept. It wasn’t just a cover; it was a séance. This track alone propelled the album to #1 on the Billboard 200, where it stayed for five weeks. It won seven Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.
The most common assumption is that "Elektrarar" refers to a 1991 promotional vinyl LP. Standard commercial copies were issued on black vinyl with a standard sleeve. Promo copies (catalog number 61099-1) often featured a white label, gold-stamped "Promotional Copy Not For Sale," or, in some extremely rare cases, a sticker on the shrink-wrap reading "Elektra Rare – For Reviewer Consideration."
These copies are valued because they often contain early, slightly different mixes of songs like "Our Love Is Here to Stay" or "A Song for You," which were tweaked for the final commercial release. The "RAR" may be a misreading of "RAD" (Radio) or an internal Elektra catalog code for "Artist Relations."
By 1990, Natalie Cole was a proven star. She had already won Grammy Awards and scored massive hits like "This Will Be" and "Pink Cadillac." However, she felt artistically stifled by the constraints of modern pop production.
The idea of recording an album of standards was risky. In the late 80s, "classic" music was often viewed by younger audiences as elevator music. Furthermore, for Natalie, the shadow of her father loomed large. Nat King Cole had died when she was just 15, leaving a legacy of immense stature. To record his songs was to invite direct comparison—a prospect that could easily be interpreted as a gimmick or, worse, a pale imitation.
Elektra Records, however, gave Cole the creative freedom she needed. Instead of updating the songs with modern beats, the production team—led by Tommy LiPuma, David Foster, and Natalie herself—made a bold choice: they would treat the source material with reverence, utilizing lush, authentic arrangements that mirrored the original recordings.