CARAVANSERAI

One of the best albums that merges jazz-rock and Latin rock together. Santana, already cruising at spectacular heights of the previous three releases, reaches another milestone and level of complexity. More reflective, perhaps less optimistic and full of exploratory work needed, this masterpiece absorbs contemporary jazz-rock fusion and slightly modifies Carlos Santana's way of playing - while not strictly jazz playing in the vein of McLaughlin, it has more of a jamming feeling. Percussions, piano/fender rhodes and drums are fully compliant with the new jazz-rock policy, listen to a masterful Fender solo in "La Fuente del Ritmo" and busy jazz-rock drumming that will heat your blood over 70 Celsius, guaratanteed!

Hammond organ tresspasses more into soul territory, leaving the more aggressive rock patterns behind.

Most tracks are instrumental but the album could benefit if it excluded even more vocals.

Already the beginning is quite enigmatic with very unusual calm trumpet or trombone melody, than jazzy drumming with percussions and the first signs of guitar won't appear before a 2-minute mark. Certainly closer to jazz than rock!

"Waves within" enters a more familiar territory with pretty epic chord structure and magnificient rhythm/organ landscape. "Look up" is another more experimental track - jazz-rock in the essence with wah-wah guitar effects and pre-funk beats.

"All the love in the universe" stands out of the crowd due to its higher accessibility, vocals but still manages to erupt into excellent instrumental workout with muscular bass and whirling Hammond.

"Future primitive" contrasts enigmatic keyboard textures and busy percussions, as if storm was about to come.

"Stone flower" may sound a bit similar to some Chick Corea/RTF of 1972, very catchy yet masterfully executed.

You will need to wait till the end to hear the pinnacle "Every step of the way" featuring even some acoustic bass, improvisational guitar/Hammond before setting out to a hellish dynamic territory with very busy traditional Santana instruments joined by brass instruments (trumpets, saxophones) and even a fiery flute solo. Santana solo is magnificient while remaining tasty. Even though the main motive is quite simple, the 9 minutes represent the peak of Santana's improvisational efforts.

This album is a crowning achievement of jazz Latin rock fusion and is firmly positioned among the best releases in its genre of all time.