Szabo, Gabor - Dreams (140 Gram Vinyl, Gatefold)
Szabo, Gabor - Dreams (140 Gram Vinyl, Gatefold)
Format: Vinyl LP
UPC: 5024017007574
Release Date: 10/30/26
Condition: N
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Mr Bongo proudly presents a reissue of Hungarian guitarist Gabor Szabo's masterpiece Dreams. Blending lush, Eastern European-tinged psychedelic jazz with beautiful arrangements by Gary McFarland, it's unique, delicate, charming sound has entranced record collectors for years. Originally released in 1968 on Skye Records, it's quite rightly become a sought-after LP, and here at Mr Bongo, we wanted to reissue as close a replica edition as possible.
Hungarian-born, Szabo left his home country with his family on the eve of the political uprising, and finally settled in California, USA. He went on to attend Berklee College, and in 1961, he joined the fabulous Chico Hamilton's quintet. Szabo's time with Chico had a supportive influence on the young guitarist and nurtured his individual guitar sound. You can often instantly recognise Szabo playing on a record just by his guitar tone. He would go on to record a whole host of classic records for the iconic record label Impulse!, and worked with many great musicians such as Lena Horne, Charles Earland, Tom Scott, and Coke Escovedo, to name a few. Szabo's music would years later become a staple sample source in hip hop culture, with acts such as People Under The Stairs, Black Star (Talib Kweli and Mos Def), Diamond D, and many more utilising his work. Skye Records was set up in 1968 by Norman Schwartz, Gabor Szabo, Cal Tjader, and Gary McFarland, and it was on this label that Dreams was released. Harnessing a mystifying, unique sound that pays homage to Szabo's Hungarian folk music heritage, Dreams, as it's title suggests, has an otherworldly, ethereal feel and a trance-like quality that is deep and meditative. A masterclass in Eastern European folk meets Western psychedelia, all colliding with jazz, the album features a number of tracks penned by Szabo and Gary McFarland, alongside two interpretations of tracks written by the Spanish composer Manuel de Falla. Additionally, there is an epic cover version of Donovan's 'Ferris Wheel', which was also released as a 7" single at the time the album came out. Other highlights include 'Galatea's Guitar', a cinematic psych-jazz beauty, reminiscent of The Doors in places. The tender 'Half The Day Is Night', with it's soothing lullaby texture, features Gary McFarland arrangements at full force. The whole recording is solid all the way through, managing to be easy-listening, but never feeling contrived or saccharine. It has a rich underground spirit bubbling in the background, one recorded for times of relaxation rather than rebellion. Szabo sadly died at the young age of forty-five while visiting his homeland of Budapest. However, he left a legacy through his exceptional music which still enriches listeners today, and will long continue to do so.
SHIPPING & RETURNS
SHIPPING & RETURNS
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RETURNS
Items may be returned within 90 days of the delivery date.
If not defective, any product returned must be in the same condition in which customer received it and in the original retail packaging.
Yellow Racket will be responsible for cost of return on all damaged or defective items. Customer is responsible for cost of return if item is not damaged or defective. Photo/video evidence of damages/defects must be provided by customer within 14 days of the delivery date.
Customer assumes all responsibility for duties and taxes associated with international shipments.
GRADING
GRADING
Yellow Racket assigns condition based on the Goldmine Standard for grading records.
New (N) (Not typically included in the Goldmine Standard)
New records are purchased directly from the label, distributor, or registered wholesaler. Records are still sealed. Jackets may have slight shelf wear, but media has never been played.
Mint (M)
Still sealed. Never played. No observable flaws. Items have been purchased secondhand.
Near Mint (NM)
A Near Mint (NM) record will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. The record should show no obvious signs of wear.
The cover (and any additional packaging) has no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable defects.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
A Very Good Plus (VG+) record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it.
Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, not affecting the actual playback as a whole. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches.
The disc and LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be gently marred by spindle marks, paper scuffs, wrinkled corners, etc.
Very Good (VG)
Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident, but will not overpower the music. Disc may have light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.
Labels, jackets, and inserts will have visible cosmetic flaws such as wrinkles, cut-outs, slight splitting, etc. However, it will usually have less than a dozen minor flaws.
Good (G)
A record in Good condition can be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present.
While the record will be playable without skipping, noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainly accompany the playback.
Poor (P), Fair (F)
The record may be cracked, badly warped, or won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve may be water damaged, split, or heavily marred by wear and writing.
