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If it hadn't been his final LP, L-O-V-E might have had less historical importance to the Cole canon, but probably not by much. From the simple acrostic of its seminal title track to the breezy big-band histrionics of "How I'd Love to Love You" (the album's original closer), Cole was at the top of his game. Barely a hint of his encroaching lung cancer can be heard here, and what's more, L-O-V-E documents one of the most gorgeous and sustained duets of the era. The other starring voice here is that of trumpeter Bobby Bryant, who plays with, at, and around Cole's vocals with a full spectrum of the instrument's tonal capabilities, not to mention a coy sense of the limited topical range these songs employ. As advertised, this set is all about romance, and Cole is fully in his element on a range of amorous standards from "Coquette" to "The Girl from Ipanema." This re-issue also includes four songs making their debuts on U.S. CDs, including "Marnie" (from the Alfred Hitchcock film) and "Silver Bird," with its rare, weird, and wholly appealing shift in time signatures. In all, L-O-V-E remains both a fitting final chapter and a must-have title for Cole enthusiasts. --Jason Kirk