Rambler

Although this LP is a CTI production, guitarist Gabor Szabo is well featured in a conventional quartet (without strings, horns or "sweetening") that also includes the electric piano of Mike Wofford, bassist Wolfgang Melz and drummer Bobby Morin; Bob James sits in on some cuts on keyboards. For what would be Szabo's last significant recording, the Hungarian guitarist performs an obscurity and five of bassist Melz's originals, including "Rambler," "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye" and "Reinhardt." Although the individual melodies are not that memorable (none caught on), Gabor Szabo's distinctive sound and logical improvisations make this an album worth searching for. ~ Scott Yanow