Mathis was among the singers who, in the '60s and '70s, churned out an album every few months--often made up largely of the same recent chart hits his peers (Andy Williams, Jerry Vale) were covering. Despite the presence of "Feelings," however, this four-CD box is low on chaff and high on the wispy romanticism of hits such as "Chances Are," "Misty," and "It's Not for Me to Say."

"Labour of Love" casts attention on a facet of Nick Lowe's talent that's surprisingly uncelebrated--his songwriting prowess. Having made his mark as a producer, performer, and sideman, Lowe's skills as a singer-songwriter have been taken for granted, but, as this tribute confirms, Nick has long possessed a knack for mating blissful hooks with pithy couplets. Here an assortment of players and singers from a range of genres tackle Lowe gems dating from his new wave heyday up through his brilliant late-'90s comeback. Proving the adaptability of Lowe's material is half the fun here, as Joe Louis Walker turns the '70s anthem ("What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" into a midtempo soul lament, "Half a Boy and Half a Man" is transformed by Sleepy LaBeef and C.J. Chenier into a zydeco workout, and "Soulful Wind" is given the deep blues treatment by Guy Davis. With Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, and Dar Williams along for the ride, the 13-song set deftly mixes and matches stars, commendable journeymen, and crack players into a tribute worthy of one of contemporary music's unsung heroes. --Steven Stolder