You can find a standard Unforgettable... with Love LP for $20-$40. The Elektrarar "Top" pressing, however, regularly fetches $400 to $800 at auction. Why?
It’s the sound. On standard pressings, the title track "Unforgettable"—where Natalie’s modern vocal is woven together with Nat’s 1961 recording—can sound slightly compressed. On the Elektrarar, the soundstage is breathtaking. Nat’s voice comes from the center-left with a warm tube echo; Natalie’s response sits in the right channel with airy, live-room reverb. You hear the tape hiss of the original 1961 session underneath the 1991 digital overlay. It’s a ghostly, gorgeous artifact. natalie cole unforgettable with love 1991 elektrarar top
Furthermore, tracks like "The Very Thought of You" and "Mona Lisa" reveal the work of arranger Nelson Riddle’s orchestra in stunning relief. The brass has bite without harshness; the bass clarinet on "L-O-V-E" purrs with analog warmth. You can find a standard Unforgettable
Unforgettable... with Love was more than an album; it was a reconciliation between a daughter and a legend she lost too soon. The 1991 Elektrarar Top pressing captures that reconciliation in its purest analog form. It is a reminder that even as the world rushed toward the cold digital future of the 90s, a small, perfect batch of vinyl stood still—holding a conversation between a father and daughter that remains, truly, unforgettable. Have you ever come across a rare 90s vinyl pressing
If you ever see one of these black discs in a record bin, do not hesitate. It isn’t just a record. It’s a time machine, pressed in Quiex vinyl, and it is the definitive way to hear Natalie Cole soar.
Have you ever come across a rare 90s vinyl pressing? Do you prefer Natalie’s pop hits or her standards era? Let us know in the comments below.
If you go hunting for this record, beware. Because the Elektrarar Top pressing is so rare, counterfeits exist. Look for the "SR/2" stamp in the deadwax—that indicates the Specialty Records Corporation pressing plant, where the top-tier Elektrarar runs were exclusively made. Also, the original 1991 pressing came with a poly-lined inner sleeve printed with a poem by Natalie’s mother, Maria Cole. Without that, it’s incomplete.