When the likes of Scott Hamilton, Alan Barnes and Tony Kofi want you on the kit, those are endorsements enough of Hughes’ drum skills. You know what you’ll get: swing and sophistication, yet Blakey fireworks when required. But with Beboptical Illusion Hughes turns on something new and special: this is his third album in three years, but the first highlighting his own writing skills.

There's one cover: Baranek lends a meditative intro to Ellington's ‘Sophisticated Lady’ which Hughes’ brushes then dreamily pick up on. But it's the dashing, Bop-soaked ‘Beboptical’ that reveals Hughes’ composing energy, complemented by the more melodic ballad ‘Edith’, which you can hear someone like Geoff Eales liking. Not that Baranek lacks anything in the pianism department: he brings a Brubeck verve and Latin flourish to ‘Laurie’. There's nothing ‘old school’ about Hughes’ writing and the straight ahead joys of this trio: Bebopitcal Illusion reminds us that bop lines and classic song writing remain a heart-beat of contemporary jazz. Enjoy.