I’m pleased to be holding newly-minted copies of the LP and CD of Ebalunga!!!’s beautifully-presented The Complete Gabor Szabo in Budapest. These discs capture all the material Hungarian guitarist Gábor Szabó (1936-82) is known to have recorded during his few returns to Hungary after fleeing in 1956.
This package combines Gabor Szabo in Budapest, chronicling a 1974 studio set (broadcast on Hungarian TV in 1975, that country’s first televisual program devoted to jazz) that was issued on LP and CD in extremely limited quantities back in 2008, with Gabor Szabo in Budapest Again, which features performances from 1978 and 1981 that were issued on a CD in 2018.
It was a true honor for me to provide detailed liner notes and historical context to the LP edition (only) of The Complete Gabor Szabo in Budapest, a remarkable collection of performances that are surely the highlight of Gábor Szabó’s later years. Hearing this music today makes me wonder where else the guitarist could have gone, had he the opportunity to do so. There is real sorcery here – and to quasi-quote an earlier live set – “more sorcery” worth hearing on this set. Check it out.
Here is how Ebalunga!!! puts it:
For the first time in full, a unique anthology of Hungarian TV and radio recordings by the legendary guitarist Gábor Szabó, captured during his return visits to Budapest in 1974, 1978, and 1981. This historic collection documents the deeply personal reconnection of an exiled artist with his homeland, bridging musical worlds and emotional landscapes.
The first disc we have features both studio and concert recordings with some of Hungary’s top jazz players of the era, including the legendary double bassist Aladár Pege and renowned vocalist Kati Kovács. The second disc includes a rare televised concert from the Hilton Hotel (1978) and Szabó’s final known performance which was a moving rendition of “From a Dream” recorded in 1981.
The music collected here captures a poignant duality: Szabó as both American and Hungarian, outsider and homecomer. This is one of the most intimate and emotionally charged chapters of his career and a musical homecoming, rich in atmosphere and soul.
As always with Ebalunga!!!, Gábor Szabó’s legacy is treated with great care and passion. This edition features a luxurious 2LP vinyl release in gatefold packaging, complete with an in-depth essay by Szabó’s official biographer, Douglas Payne, a fascinating piece of cultural and musical research in its own right.
The stunning visual design is the work of artist and industrial designer Anton Bogdanov. With handwork, imagination, and deep respect for the material, the artwork invites the listener to spend long evenings in its layered atmosphere.
Mastering is by Grammy-nominated engineer Jessica Thompson, whose work has revived dozens of legendary archival recordings – including the previous four Szabó releases on Ebalunga!!!. The transformation she brings is nothing short of astonishing.
We are also proud to continue releasing our editions on CD – a beautiful, accessible and enduring format, even as many labels have abandoned it. This album is available as a 2CD set in an elegant 6-panel digipak, crafted with the same care and attention as the vinyl edition.
Two hours of sublime music, stunning sound, and timeless packaging – a true gift for fans of Szabó and those who cherish deep, living jazz traditions.
congrats Doug!