Natural Illusions is one of the rare
Bobby Hutcherson dates that finds the vibraphonist flirting with the mainstream and fusion.
Hutcherson leads a band that features
Ron Carter and
George Duvivier alternating on bass, guitarist
Gene Bertoncini, pianist
Hank Jones, drummer
Jack DeJohnette and harpist
Gene Bianco. The group plays a selection of standards ("The Folks Who Live on the Hill," "Sophisticated Lady," "Lush Life"), contemporary hits ("The Thrill is Gone"), and new jazz songs, giving them all a smooth, lush treatment. There's little of the unpredictable phrasing and modal harmonies that distinguished
Hutcherson's albums, and the music often sounds conventional, making it one of the lesser efforts in his catalog. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine