Search - Gabor Szabo :: High Contrast (Dig)

Szabo & Womack burn together!

J. Levinson | Media, PA USA | 05/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This unlikely collaboration with R&B star Bobby Womack is surprisingly successful as an instrumental smooth-jazz guitar session. Womack uncharacteristically takes no vocals, and proves himself a very competent and sympathetic rhythm guitarist. This album feature's Womack's original recording of his composition "Breezin'", which was a smash crossover hit for George Benson. Szabo interprets the melody in his staccato voice, his approach more restrained than Benson's, but captivating in it's own way. "Amazon" has a dark tropical feel. Wolfgang Melz plays solid yet interesting basslines, and his co-composition "Fingers" provides another fine vehicle for extended guitar improvisation. The finale, "I Remember When" features a well-arranged string section that serves as a fine foil for Szabo's take on the country-style melody. Bobby Womack - Guitar (Electric)
Gabor Szabo - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
Mark Levine - Piano
Wolfgang Melz - Bass
Phil Upchurch - Bass
Jim Keltner - Drums
Bruce Botnick - Engineer
Felix "Flaco" Falcon - Conga
Carmelo Garcia - Timbales, Tom-Tom, Tom-Tom
Rene Hall - String Arrangements
Tommy LiPuma - Producer"

Smooth mind bending frets

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 12/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe this disc in many ways was ahead of the curve or one of the forerunners of a subgenre of jazz that is now known as smooth jazz. Recorded in 1971 most pop jazz was typically pop standards reworked into a jazz idiom; George Benson's recording of Beatles songs come to mind as well as Wes Montgomery. This disc maintains true jazz integrity with improvisation yet unveils the smooth side of jazz. It is actually quite an accomplished bit of interaction by soul-ballader-singer Bobby Womack(later known for a classic of smooth jazz entitled "What You Won't Do For Love)who does not sing here but rather plays electric guitar. The distinct fret work by Hungarian Gabor Szabo is hard to describe but he bends his notes in a gypsyesque-rock-jazz style that was definitely his own style. Once you here his work you will always be able to distinguish his style.The song made famous by George Benson but written by Bobby Womack, "Breezin"(later a smooth jazz monster hit)is a song you will want to here over and over. It is so pure and perfect and the interaction by Womack and Szabo is complete harmony on guitar. Another song that is very melodic is "Azure Blue" where the guitar work by Womack reminds me of George Benson at times but the Szabo twang interacts to create an element of foreign distinction. Four of the tracks are penned by Womack including "Just a Little Communication" that features more of the duo guitarists in sync."If You Don't Want My Love" is a breezy ballad that shifts tempo but always stays on track and during certain parts sounds like Wes Montgomery. This is original music that establishes a style and receipe that others would adhere to and capitalize from years later. This is an original smooth jazz disc with attitude before their was a genre."