Bobby Hutcherson - Natural Illusions (1972) [2009]

Vibes and orchestrations – a combination that makes for one of the coolest Bobby Hutcherson albums of the 70s – a really magical set that expands the sound of Bobby's work in ways we wouldn't have expected! The style is similar to that used with Grant Green and Lou Donaldson at the time on Blue Note – a style that's clearly trying for the more sophisticated sounds of CTI, and which beautifully balances the modes of presentation – so that there's still plenty of soulful moments and slyly funky bits alongside the strings and woodwinds in the orchestrations – proof that a record like this can be really brilliant if scored properly!

Some moments get a bit modern and dark – almost in a William S Fischer kind of way – and titles include the great track "Rain Every Thursday", which begins with an excellent break – plus "The Folks Who Live On The Hill", "Sophisticated Ladies", "When You're Near", "Shirl", and "Lush Life".

Tracks:

01 - When You're Near
02 - The Thrill Is Gone
03 - Sophisticated Lady
04 - Rain Every Thursday
05 - The Folks Who Live On The Hill
06 - Lush Life
07 - Shirl

Personnel:

Bobby Hutcherson - vibes
Hank Jones - piano
Gene Bertoncini - guitar
Ron Carter - bass
Jack DeJohnette - drums
Wade Marcus - arranger
Phil Bodner, Hubert Laws, Romeo Penque, Daniel Trimboli - flute
George Marge - oboe
John Leone - bassoon
Eugene Bianco - harp
George Duvivier - bass
Irving Spice, Aaron Rosand - violin
Julian Barber, Seymour Berman - viola
Seymour Barab - cello