Gabor Szabo - Jazz Raga

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Press release
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4...according to our Brett on Fri 18 Jun, 2010.

Exciting times here, the venerable Light In the Attic (along with Sundazed, surely one of the few reliable producers of quality reissues) seem to have wheedled their way into the good books of the lengendary Impulse Records, home of more jazz classics than you can shake a baritone sax full of smack at. Hopefully this'll be the start of a most fruitful partnership and it's one that's certainly off to a cracking start possible start with this album from six-string virtuoso Gabor Szabo who moulds his stunning chops into a collection which comes off more as a psychedelic pop album that anything else, particularly with the instrumental cover of 'Paint It, Black'. At times it's getting towards slightly cheesy Latin/Eastern exotica territory but anyone into Sublime Frequencies sort of shit should get right on the case as for the most part its combination of sounds from all over the musical map is completely top-notch.

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* Landmark Impulse Records LP
* Influencing countless classics from Beck’s Odelay to Santana’s Abraxas
* First time on CD, and first LP reissue
* 40 page full color CD booklet
* Beautifully crafted gatefold and 180 gram LP
* Liner notes by Doug Sheppard (Ugly Things, Goldmine) include new interviews w/ Bernard Purdie, Rudy Van Gelder, &
Jack Gregg, as well as rare 1967 article and interview with Gabor from Down Beat Magazine
* Meticulously re-mastered from the original tapes
* Unseen photos courtesy of Gabor Szabo’s family
* The world famous Impulse jazz catalogue is so cavernous you truly need a music-minded flashlight to uncover its
deepest and darkest secrets. Thankfully Light In The Attic has recently acquired such luminescent technology and the
first discovery is Hungarian guitarist Gabor Szabo's 1967 Indo-fusion landmark, Jazz Raga. Combining Szabo's
distinctive 6-string touch and open-minded ideas, it brings together jazz, pop-rock, and his native European influence,
along with hypnotic sitar, stoned bass vibrations, occasional psychedelic vocals, and the laidback, yet totally in the
pocket, Latin/R&B infused backbeat of #1 session drummer, Bernard Purdie (Lialeh OST, LITA 003).
- Szabo and his Jazz Raga have not only provided the soundtrack to many low light seductions, exotica dinner parties,
and super swinging scenes, but formative influence on no less than Beck's monumental Odelay album (1996) and
Santana's classic “Black Magic Woman” (1970). Images of Szabo, hunched over his guitar in trance, fingers weaving a
magical spell over the fret board, are iconic in the world of jazz. Light In The Attic is honored to spread the musical
maverick's message, presenting Jazz Raga's CD debut as well as unveiling a beautifully crafted 180 gram vinyl reissue
with all of the attention to detail you've come to know and love from the label. The audio has been lovingly re-mastered
from the original tapes, and only enhances jazz pioneer Rudy Van Gelder's original pristine recording. Liner notes come
courtesy of Ugly Things' Doug Sheppard and also include a vintage 1967 Down Beat interview with Szabo himself.
- While the guitarist is no longer with us (Szabo passed away in 1982 from liver and kidney disease while visiting his
homeland), his original, inventive, and mysterious sound will never die. Whether it's "Walking On Nails" soft psych bliss
or a sprightly cover of The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black", put Jazz Raga on your stereo and let it transport you to a
place you've never been (a "Search For Nirvana" if you will)… But please be warned, you'll want to return time and time
again.

TRACKLIST:

1. Walking On Nails 2. Mizrab 3. Search For Nirvana 4. Krishna 5. Raga Doll 6. Comin’ Back 7. Paint It Black 8. Sophisticated Wheels 9. Ravi 10. Caravan 11. Summertime

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