Vinyl plays with occasional light-crackles (play-graded). Gate-fold cover looks great; a few creases near edges; light-scuffing and surface impressions (front/back/inner-gate); a few tiny surface abrasions (front/back); slight discoloration with darker discoloration spots on back. Inner-sleeve is original (Impulse ads). Spine is easy-to-read with little wear. Little shelf-wear along top/bottom-edge and corners. Opening is crisp with signs of light use and divots. (Not a cut-out.)
Gabor Istvan Szabo was a Hungarian-American guitarist whose style incorporated jazz, pop, rock, and Hungarian music. In 1961, Szabo became member of a quintet that was led by Chico Hamilton and included Charles Lloyd, playing what has been described as chamber jazz, with "a moderate avant-gardism." Szabo was influenced by the rock music of the 1960s, particularly the use of feedback. In 1965 he was in a jazz pop group led by Gary McFarland, then worked again with Lloyd in an energetic quartet with Ron Carter and Tony Williams. The song Gypsy Queen from Szabo's debut solo album Spellbinder became a hit for rock guitarist Carlos Santana. During the late 1960s, Szabo worked in a group with guitarist Jimmy Stewart. He started the label Skye Records with McFarland and Cal Tjader. Szabo continued to be drawn to more popular, commercial music in the 1970s. He performed often in California, combining elements of Gypsy and Indian music with jazz. He returned often to his home country of Hungary to perform, and it was there that he died just short of his 46th birthday.