Gene DiNovi - So In Love

 So In Love - Gene DiNovi

"So In Love" is a compact disc recorded on the Marshmallow label from Japan featuring the highly regarded pianist Gene DiNovi. Gene has been a mainstay on the Canadian jazz scene for many years, after moving to Toronto in the early 1970's. This was a trio album, with two other well known Canadian jazzers helping out. Neil Swainson provides the bottom end on double bass, and Terry Clarke brings his distinctive talents as a drummer to the session. According to the liner notes, (at least the ones in English, the album was manufactured and released in Japan so most of the notes are in Japanese), Gene was a favourite of Mitsuo Johfu, owner of the Marshmallow label and "a jazz enthusiast of impeccable taste and with fine feeling for the music". Gene and Mitsuo worked together collaboratively, with Mitsuo as producer, and released three CD's during the 1990's. A decision was made to record another, and "So In Love" was recorded at Lydian Sound Studio in Richmond Hill Ontario on March 21 & 22, 2001.  This recording was also produced by Mitsuo. The CD has 11 tracks in total with most being standards and Gene contributing three original compositions. Gene mentions in the liner notes that two successive days of recording - 12 hours of concentrated music-making "was very challenging, but very satisfying musically".  Gene also said that while he worked out a few things ahead of time with Neil, otherwise it was straight ahead, and that with "musicians of this calibre, you don't need too much rehearsal. I had the benefit of a 7 foot Yamaha Grand (piano) and a very good recording engineer, so conditions could not have been better". 

My impressions of the recording after listening to it for start to finish were uniformly positive. The piano sound is outstanding, having been brilliantly captured during the recording. The bass and drums mixed perfectly, providing all of the required support, while at the same time complimenting Gene's playing. I particularly enjoyed the trio's rendition of "All Or Nothing At All". 

The CD was released in 2001. The actual packaging is that of a hard cover book with tray inside to hold the disc, and the liner notes attached as pages. the front has a black and white photo of an attractive young lady and the back has a colour photo of Gene, along with information about the recording itself. I actually found this CD along with four others at a thrift store where I paid one dollar each (!) for them. I have no hesitation in recommending this excellent recording.