Such is the richness of Hutcherson's Blue Note output between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s it is tempting to think that his subsequent recordings never quite matched up. This 2CD package casts that theory into shadow. In fact, fading light features prominently in the artwork of the first two of the three albums here, Highway One and Conception: The Gift Of Love, which exhibit a gorgeous orange dusk and moonlit romantic rendezvous, respectively. They are notable evocations of the sombre shade that defines the work, where the absolute finesse of the playing and control of softness are prevalent. Taking largely modal structures into new areas by way of novel configurations, none more so than the two double basses used to such good effect on the first album, the music has orchestral detail and small group dynamics in abundance. Which serves as a reminder of Hutcherson's gifts as a soloist of great subtlety who led excellent bands bolstered by players like pianist George Cables. He also contributes a number of interesting compositions such as ‘Circle’. The final album, Un Poco Loco, sees Hutcherson move onto more straightahead territory, again backed superbly by a combo well anchored by the peerless Jack DeJohnette.