Zalatnay Sarolta - Privát Levél

Review by David Crowell

Privát Levél by Zalatnay Sarolta: A Retro Disco Gem with Soul (and Some Sass) Let’s get one thing straight—1988 wasn’t just about big hair and neon leg warmers. In Hungary, it was also the year Zalatnay Sarolta dropped Privát Levél, a funky, soulful album that blends disco grooves, pop hooks, and just enough rock edge to keep things interesting. Released under the Ring label, this record feels like a time capsule stuffed with saxophone wails, electric basslines, and Sarolta’s powerhouse vocals. It’s like she looked at the ‘80s and said, “Hold my pálinka—I’m making an album.” The credits read like a who’s who of Hungarian talent: Margit József on bass guitar and as music director, Pálmai Zoltán laying down some serious drum beats, and Gergely Koltay blowing life into flutes and pipes like he’s summoning forest spirits. And let’s not forget Dés László and Muck Ferenc on saxophones because no self-respecting ‘80s album is complete without sultry sax solos. Now, onto the tracks. With twelve songs to choose from, I’ll zoom in on two standouts that stuck with me long after the needle lifted off the vinyl—or, you know, Spotify stopped streaming. First up is “Így Szabad Gondolni Rám.” This track slaps harder than your grandma’s cabbage rolls. From the opening keyboard riff (shoutout to Pálvölgyi Géza), it sets the mood for what can only be described as a disco fever dream. The bassline? Sticky enough to pull your shoes off if it were a dancefloor. Sarolta’s voice floats over the mix like she owns the place—which, honestly, she does. There’s something hypnotic about how the flute sneaks in midway; it’s like finding an extra shot of palinka in your coffee. You didn’t ask for it, but damn, are you glad it’s there. Then there’s “Csak Zene, Semmi Más,” which translates roughly to “Just Music, Nothing Else.” Oh, honey, don’t we all wish life could be that simple? This song strips things back a bit compared to the rest of the album, focusing on lush instrumentation and Sarolta’s raw vocal delivery. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to slow-dance awkwardly with someone you’ve got a crush on—or cry alone in your room while eating túrós csusza. Either way, it hits different. Bonus points for the violin solo by Gál Péter, which sounds like it wandered in from a gypsy wedding and decided to stay for dessert. What’s wild about Privát Levél is how effortlessly it balances fun and introspection. One moment you’re shaking your hips to disco beats, and the next you’re staring out the window pondering existential crises. Tracks like “Ima” bring a spiritual vibe that feels both intimate and universal, while “Túl Vagy Már Mindenen” reminds you that resilience is always in style—even when shoulder pads aren’t. Engineered by János Bohus and Jánossy Béla, the sound quality holds up surprisingly well for its age. Sure, some of the synths might scream “retro arcade game,” but hey, nostalgia is half the charm here. Plus, who doesn’t love a little kitsch now and then? So yeah, Privát Levél isn’t perfect. Some lyrics lean toward cheesy motivational poster territory, and a couple of tracks blend together like too many pálinka shots at a family gathering. But overall? It’s a delightfully messy, unapologetically ‘80s masterpiece that deserves more love outside Hungary. Final thought: Listening to this album made me realize something profound. Life, much like disco, works best when you embrace the chaos, bust a move, and trust that the saxophone solo will save you in the end. Or maybe I’m just drunk on nostalgia. Who knows?

Download Zalatnay Sarolta - Privát Levél

Artist: Zalatnay Sarolta
Album: Privát Levél

Hungary

1988

Rating: 4.75

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Filename: zalatnay-sarolta-privt-levl.zip

MP3 size: 73.7 mb
FLAC size: 337.7 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Enyém Lesz A Fény
Így Szabad Gondolni Rám
Privát Levél
Nem Hívlak Fel Előre
Csak Zene, Semmi Más
Ima
Ma Éjjel
Ezt Sem A Zárdában Írtam
Magadat Vállalni Kell
Túl Vagy Már Mindenen
Játsszuk Újra El

Video

Zalatnay Sarolta - Privát levél (LP) - A/2. Játsszuk újra el

Zalatnay Sarolta - Privát levél (LP) A.5. Privát levél

Zalatnay Sarolta Privát levél

Zalatnay Sarolta - Privát levél (LP) - A/3. Ma éjjel

Zalatnay Sarolta - Privát levél (LP) A/4. Nem hívlak fel előre

Zalatnay Sarolta - Privát levél (LP) - A/1. Ezt sem a zárdában írtam

Images

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Catalog Numbers

RL 2003
RK 2003

Labels

Ring

Listen online

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online anhören
lytte på nettet
lyssna på nätet
écouter en ligne
ascolta in linea
escuchar en línea
ouvir online
kuunnella verkossa

Formats

Vinyl
LP
Album
Cassette

Companies

Role	Company
Recorded At	Főnix Stúdió

Credits

Role	Credit
Bass Guitar	Margit József
Vocals	Margit József
Music Director	Margit József
Drums	Németh Gábor, Pálmai Zoltán
Engineer	János Bohus, Jánossy Béla
Flute	Koltay Gergely
Pipe	Koltay Gergely
Guitar	Jenei Szilveszter
Keyboards	ifj. Herrer Pál, Pálvölgyi Géza
Saxophone	Dés László, Muck Ferenc
Violin	Gál Péter

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout (Runout area side A): BP 004 A I SI
Matrix / Runout (Runout area side B): BP 004 B I SI
Matrix / Runout (Label side A): BP 004-A
Matrix / Runout (Label side B): BP 004-B

About Zalatnay Sarolta

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Hungarian vocalist/singer, born December 14, 1947, Budapest, Hungary. She appeared first time on stage in 1963, and in 1966 she finished on the second place in the Hungarian Television's song contest named Táncdalfesztivál with the song Hol jár az eszem? In 1967, she won the next contest with the song Nem várok holnapig, which was accompanied by the Hungarian rock group . During her tour in London in 1968 and 1969, she got acquainted with the members of the group. She won the first prize on the Táncdalfesztivál in 1971 with Fák, virágok, fény (Trees, flowers, light). In her best period, she appeared in several Hungarian movies in smaller roles.

Real Name

Sarolta Zacher

Name Vars

Cini
S. Zalatnay
S.Z.
Sarolta
Sarolta Zalatnayová
Saroltha Zalatnay
Zalatnay
Zalatnay Cini
Zalatnay S.
Zalatnay Sarolta
Ш. Залатнаи
Шаролта Залатнаи
Шаролта Залатной
Шарольта Залатнаи

Aliases

Zalatnay Sarolta

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The 1988 Hungarian album *Privát Levél* by Zalatnay Sarolta is a hidden gem blending Funk, Soul, Pop, Disco, and Pop Rock. It’s packed with talent—like Margit József on bass guitar and Gergely Koltay pulling double duty on flute and pipe. Fun fact: the track "Csak Zene, Semmi Más" translates to "Only Music, Nothing Else," which feels like a perfect mantra for this vibrant mix of genres.