Search - Gabor Szabo :: Macho

A great album to start with Szabo

Kovács András | Hungary | 01/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gabor Szabo on his top, very melodic, inventive and exciting. His earlier, for me somehow too soft, sometimes half-baked and pointless solos are gone, and every time they have a clear concept with clear tones, while he succesfully kept his unique style and sound. The CTI concept works great on this album, the musicians interacts with each other in a beautiful way. The band isn't just an escort for Szabo, they play full role with equal elogance, inspiration and beauty as Szabo, they communicate with each other with many many little nuances that make it really excitilng and lively. Mostly I found CTI records a bit boring, but not this time! (Even though, except Macho, the other songs have a more relaxed atmosphere.)

The song, Macho, a Szabo original, had a long way to get it's perfect form in the bonus track, alternate version. It always knocks me out like Santana/McLaughlin's Flame Sky, just in a jazzy way. I love that stuff! Originally it was on the live '66 The Sorcerer(CD) album (More Sorcery on LP), with the title Los Matadoros, then on the 68' Bacchanal album (title track). Seven years has passed again and it become a true gem on Macho! If you like Szabo it's interesting to compare these different versions!

Recording and remastering quality is absolute top, I use it to demo high-end components, especially with the alternate version of Macho (almost 12 minutes!), which is such a beautiful headshot, a whale of timbres, dynamics, soundstage magic (and of course music!) with a much better final crescendo than the shorter album version.

Other songs are also topknot, not lesser than Macho, I love each one of them, no weak point on the whole album.

If you want to hear more of Szabo's gently, laid back playing, take a look at Paul Desmond's magical Skylark album, where he played the guitar solos. I heartly recommend, one of the most beautiful music I ever heard, full of love and joy, really!!"

Macho? just normal !!

David F. Litell | Woodland Park, CO USA | 05/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just ordered the CD...then...I rediscovered this album, hiding. It was pretty fine to hear strong music. you know...like you'd like to play sometimes for those moods. By the way, that song "Macho" is a funny name!! It's kinda normal for those who like Flamenco, i.e., Alive and Conscious!

Get on YouTube with via google...need to spend half a day or night. Check out the dancing and the music. After a few hours(?) put on "Macho" in MACHO, or, FACES - "Desiring You", (buy this) and turn the video sound off and check it out. Look how far he took it!! So fine. Everything he plays dances with the dancers from old to right now. He did it. He made the fusion of Time with Now. Dancing with Life and Living and Loving. Try Some Now. Get the Extra Tracks CD, yes."