Rating: 5/5.

Nat King Cole is one of the greatest performers that ever lived.

The statement is unquestionable.

An icon of not only his time, but one that has carried through nearly 70 years after his death.

So to try emulate a true great is a task that is nigh on impossible. However, when the person paying tribute and imitating his hero is a musical icon in his own right, are the odds of a beautiful record greatly impacted?

Ten time Grammy Award winner George Benson has more than proved his own vocal capabilities.

With 35 studio albums already under his belt, the distinctive, distinguished vocalist has opted to mark his 70th birthday with the release of 'Inspiration: A Tribute To Nat King Cole'. The thirteen song collection sees collaborations with Idina Menzel and Judith Hill, and sees Benson shine.

While many acts have tried to mimic their hero, Benson is wise enough and esteemed enough to avoid the copycat terrain. Though his renditions remain faithful to his icon, they never lose a sense of his own very distinct identity.



Though his renditions of 'Straighten Up And Fly Right', 'When I Fall In Love' and 'Smile', it is his truly moving 'Unforgettable' that really resonates with what is at the very core of the collection's undeniable appeal - as his own hero has already proved himself to be, George Benson is an shining gem at the core of the music industry who continues to shine, and will continue to shine for a very long time to come.