Gabor Szabo

For the first time in full a unique anthology of Hungarian TV and radio recordings by the legendary guitarist Gábor Szabó, captured during his return visits to Budapest in 1974, 1978, and 1981. This historic collection documents the deeply personal reconnection of an exiled artist with his homeland, bridging musical worlds and emotional landscapes. The first disc we have features both studio and concert recordings with some of Hungary’s top jazz players of the era, including the legendary double bassist Aladár Pege and renowned vocalist Kati Kovács. The second disc includes a rare televised concert from the Hilton Hotel (1978) and Szabó’s final known performance which was a moving rendition of “From a Dream” recorded in 1981. 

The music collected here captures a poignant duality: Szabó as both American and Hungarian, outsider and homecomer. This is one of the most intimate and emotionally charged chapters of his career and a musical homecoming, rich in atmosphere and soul. As always with Ebalunga!!!, Gábor Szabó’s legacy is treated with great care and passion. This edition features a luxurious 2LP vinyl release in gatefold packaging, complete with an in-depth essay by Szabó’s official biographer, Douglas Payne a fascinating piece of cultural and musical research in its own right.

The stunning visual design is the work of artist and industrial designer Anton Bogdanov. With no use of AI tools just handwork, imagination, and deep respect for the material, the artwork invites the listener to spend long evenings in its layered atmosphere. Mastering is by Grammy-nominated engineer Jessica Thompson, whose work has revived dozens of legendary archival recordings – including the previous four Szabó releases on Ebalunga!!!. The transformation she brings is nothing short of astonishing.