This deluxe release from the classy (but long defunct) Artists House label, as with all of
Art Pepper's recordings of his comeback years, is easily recommended. Actually all of the music on
So in Love has been reissued in greatly expanded form in
Pepper's massive 16-CD Galaxy box set. The original LP has lengthy versions of "So in Love," "Stardust," "Straight No Chaser" and two
Pepper originals ("Diane" and "Blues for Blanche"). Assisted by two equally talented rhythm sections (pianists
Hank Jones and
George Cables, bassists
Ron Carter and
Charlie Haden, and drummers
Al Foster and
Billy Higgins),
Pepper is in excellent form throughout the album, giving these songs heart-wrenching interpretations.