Natalie Cole's 1991 project of her father's material, "Unforgettable," was indeed a touching and artistically sound tribute. Then 1993's "Take a Look" proved its predecessor was no fluke and flaunted jazz chops all her own. But by 1996 the nostalgia kick had worn thin; more swing, more strings, and another technology-provided duet with dear old Dad made "Stardust" seem far too familiar. The time was definitely right for Natalie to return to (mostly) pop music, and "Snowfall on the Sahara" ranks as her true crowning moment of artistic glory. Nothing on "Snowfall" feels particularly retro, but the album offers all the elements of a classic record from a 70's singer: impeccable taste in songs, strong arrangements, and a top-notch voice in top form singing the hell out of the material. 　　The title track is one of the smoothest blends of pop and soul radio has been treated to in recent years, and "Say You Love Me" (from "Dreamgirls") ranks as one of Natalie's most seductive ballads ever...intricate production and a unique, sampled exhale make the track just as innovative as it is commercially appealing. Cole also displays some delightfully unexpected musical tastes as she covers Bob Dylan (with a rousing "Gotta Serve Somebody"), Judy Collins (on a stately "Since You Asked") and Taj Mahal (which appropriately kicks off with Natalie saying "Just when you think you know me...think again!" before offering drum samples and bluesy guitar licks). Fans of her jazzier work won't be left out in the cold, however: the Patti Page staple "With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming" gets an affectionately sentimental reading, "Everyday I Have the Blues" has a deceptively sunny swing, and "His Eyes, Her Eyes" is a mature and gorgeously-arranged piece of modern jazz. 　　The bluesy "Reverend Lee," a longtime favorite among female singers, proves every bit of Natalie's vocal abilities, but she truly pulls out all the stops on the finale, a soulful, go-for-broke belting of "Stay With Me" that gives new meaning to the phrase "big finish." Bursting at the seams with strong compositions and stellar performances, "Snowfall on the Sahara" came at just the right time for fans who were ready to hear Natalie move on from straight jazz, as well as for pop lovers who needed a dose of maturity amidst the youth-obsessed music world it was bravely released into. A career album in every sense.