Mirage by Bobby Hutcherson

06 Jun

Written by Lee Prosser
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This CD is a re-release of a 1991 album on the Landmark label, and this first-meeting-of-leaders-set is as much Tommy Flanagan's recording date as Hutcherson's. Flanagan's exquisite taste and thoughtful mellowness dominate this album, and that's not a bad thing. This isn't meant as a put-down to Hutcherson, but he really plays up to Flanagan's level. I've never heard Hutcherson sound so serenely relaxed--he is always a lyrical player, but here he steers away from glib hard-bop phrases and plays with a rich melodic sense that's hard to resist.

Their sublimely airy version of T. Monk's "Pannonica" sounds like they wrote it themselves! But don't worry, they remember to swing, as on the crisp, driving "Groundwork," which is also a bit of a showcase for Drummond. Mostly though, things here flow nice 'n' easy--relaxed & summer-y, yet never slips/slides into background-music. You get 10 tracks in 63 minutes, with all concerned making the most of it--there's no noodling or water-treading here. MIRAGE is a minor masterpiece of relaxed, shimmering swing.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Bobby Hutcherson
CD Title: Mirage
Genre: BeBop / Hard Bop
Year Released: 2000
Record Label: 32 Jazz
Musicians: Hutcherson: vibes, marimba; Tommy Flanagan: piano; Peter Washington: bass; Billy Drummond: drums
Label Website: -
Rating: Five Stars