1LP Vinyl 00602478984860

This quintet recording, captured at Rudy Van Gelders Englewood Cliffs studio and produced by Bob Thiele, introduced the Hungarian guitarist to a wider American audience through its hypnotic fusion of modal jazz, Eastern European folk influences, and 1960s pop textures. Featuring all-star collaborators like bassist Ron Carter, drummer Chico Hamilton, and percussionists Willie Bobo and Victor Pantoja, tracks such as the title vamp “Spellbinder” and a haunting reinterpretation of Sonny Bonos Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) showcase Szabs signature sitar-like guitar tones and rhythmic innovation. The iconic Gypsy Queen also became a jazz standard, later covered by Santana.