Carlos Santana
Santana

THE REVIEW

Let the dance begin, start unleashing yourselves!

In 1969, when the global scene was dominated by Jimi Hendrix, Page's Led Zeppelin, and Clapton's Cream, a Mexican guitarist from the American city of San Francisco forcefully entered the fray with his immeasurable talent: Carlos Santana.
He had formed the Santana Blues Band together with Gregg Rolie (vocals and keyboards), Tom Frazier (guitar), David Brown (bass), Michael Shrieve (drums), Michael Carabello (congas), and Josè Areas (timbales). The inclusion of these two percussionists would prove to be crucial for the band, as their Latin accompaniment would characterize the group's sound.

The impact of this album is impressive. It is an album to be savored for its technical quality, and danced to for the fiery energy it exudes. An album that entertains, excites, and catapults the listener into those fantastic lands of Central and South America, with that right dose of late sixties psychedelia that never goes amiss.
The sound of the congas introduces us to "Waiting", an excellent instrumental in which the talents of Rolie and Santana stand out. It is a new Rock, a hybrid between Latin music, blues, and pure rock, extremely pleasant to hear. Just as enjoyable is "Evil Ways" (a cover of the late Willie Bobo), the album's single, a track with a slow and flowing rhythm.

The album flows smoothly, with Santana gently plucking the strings of his guitar, as in "Shades Of The Time" and "Persuasion". African rhythmic influences dominate in "Savor". "Treat" is a sweet Caribbean blues, while Hard Rock sounds emerge with "You Just Don't Care", thanks to Rolie's hard and raw, yet sweet and seductive voice.

However, the best tracks on this album are undoubtedly "Jingo" and "Soul Sacrifice". Carabello's relentless percussion introduces these two memorable, incredibly energetic songs that make it impossible not to go wild. Masterpieces of absolute technique that introduce the world of music to the genius of Carlos Santana and his band.

This album should be listened to with company, because it must be danced to. Its songs should create a party. A party that no one should miss.

If the guest of honor is Santana...