Macho [Bonus Tracks]

• Artist: Gabor Szabo
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1975
• Type: Instrumental
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Macho is right. This 1975 album is one of the headiest in the Hungarian born guitarist Gabor Szabo's entire catalog. Produced by Bob James, the album is deep in fretless Fender basslines courtesy of Louis Johnson, funky Rhodes pianos and synthesizers from James, and former Mother of Invention Ian Underwood, guitar savvy from Szabo with Eric Gale on rhythm, and a horn section that features no less than George Bohanon, Jon Faddis, and Tom Scott, with the venerable Harvey Mason Sr. on drums. This is a tough, in-your-face funky soul-jazz band. Szabo's sense of camp was eternal as he covers, disco-style, Franz Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2, but slips into the souled-out groove-jazz of his own "Time," without a seam. Szabo's playing, with its mysterious, liquid runs and razor-sharp melodic sensibilities, is centered here by James, who attempts to make Szabo's six strings be at the absolute dead-center of the mix. Tracks like James' own "Transylvania Boogie," (the long title track -- of which the alternate is better, looser, more wiry), and Phoebe Snow's "Poetry Man," offer a glimpse of Szabo as the consummate melodist: with teeth. Harmonically, this band was as disciplined as the charts would allow, giving nothing away in the ensemble sections. This is a tough, streetwise, commercial jazz album that has plenty to offer to anyone with an open mind. In the pocket, groove-soaked, and flawlessly executed. This French reissue comes with amazingly remastered sound, and two bonus tracks including the classic "Evening In the Country." ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2	Franz Liszt	Gabor Szabo	(6:55)
Time	Gabor Szabo	Gabor Szabo	(5:41)
Transylvania Boogie	B. James	Gabor Szabo	(5:35)
Ziggidy Zag		Gabor Szabo	(6:04)
Macho	Gabor Szabo	Gabor Szabo	(9:17)
Poetry Man	Phoebe Snow	Gabor Szabo	(4:31)
Evening in the Country [#][*]	Gabor Szabo	Gabor Szabo	(5:25)
Macho (alternate version)	Gabor Szabo	Gabor Szabo	(11:27)

Credits

Didier C. Deutsch (Reissue Producer), Scott Edwards (Bass), George Bohanon (Trombone), Joan Decola (Engineer), Darcy Proper (Mastering), Phil (Boogie) Schier (Engineer), Stacey Boyle (Tape Research), Darcy Proper (Reissue Producer), Tom Scott (Sax (Tenor)), Creed Taylor (Producer), Harvey Mason, Sr. (Arranger), Harvey Mason, Sr. (Drums), Ian Underwood (Piano), Tom Scott (Lyricon), Gabor Szabo (Guitar), Jon Faddis (Trumpet), Didier C. Deutsch (Liner Notes), Ian Underwood (Piano (Electric)), Ralph MacDonald (Percussion), Danny Kadar (Remixing), Morgan Ames (Assistant Producer), Idris Muhammad (Percussion), Richard King (Engineer), Gabor Szabo (Arranger), Eric Gale (Guitar (Rhythm)), Steven Berkowitz (A&R), Gilbert Kong (Mastering), Ian Underwood (Synthesizer), Didier C. Deutsch (A&R), Peter Chaikin (Assistant Engineer)