Comments for Cole, Natalie, Good to Be Back

Natalie`s last and strongest pop album before leaning towards jazz/swing. Bright and full of spirit, "Good to Be Back" is a delightful release chock full of strong pop tunes. "Safe" gets things off to a sunny, toe-tapping start, and "As a Matter of Fact" keeps things going strong with its peppy, swinging pop. "Rest of the Night" and "I Can`t Cry" are pop ballads in top form: fine vocals, polished production, and strong hooks are abundant. Then, of course, there`s "Miss You Like Crazy," the album`s breakout single, which still holds up as a memorable pop tune even if Natalie`s voice sounds a little tired on those last couple of choruses. There`s also a couple of nice surprises in style: "Gonna Make You Mine" lends a jazzy, neo-Anita Baker touch, "Don`t Mention My Heartache" uses a subtle, pleasantly surprising country effect, and the title tune is a Carribean-influenced joy...a fine composition with top-notch vocals. "I Do," a duet with Freddie Jackson, is another memorable adult-contemporary-radio staple, and the album`s only slight stumble is the overly sentimental, meant-for-Whitney-Houston "Starting Over Again" (written by Michael Masser and the legendary Gerry Goffin, who`ve collaborated for more than one Whitney ballad in the past.) The album`s closer, "Someone`s Rockin My Dreamboat," was a taste of things to come, with its jazzy swing and scat singing. From here Natalie went on to record some of her father`s best loved tunes, but "Good to Be Back" is a highly entertaining close to the pop chapter of her career.