THE SWING OF DELIGHT

4.5 stars really!!!

Coming just one year after his previous Oneness album, this album is very much in the same musical vein, but it appears a bit less philosophy-induced, even if Carlos cedes his rights to Sri Chinmoy on three tracks, but no less excellent. But this album has a stellar cast of guest that most real jazz artistes would only dream of: Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams and Ron Carter are present on over half the tracks while the rest of his group is present as well on the other tracks. As opposed to Oneness this album is more about semi-lengthy tracks (and the album clocks in at a whopping 57 minutes which was remarkable for a vinyl) which are mostly instrumental.

While the album is a full-fledged jazz-rock fusion product of its time, I find that the usual flaws of many of those albums are not present on this one. While the music can hover between Weather Report, Spiro Gyra and Return To Forever on the one side and Mahavishnu Orchestra on the other side, it mostly retains that typical Santana sound. Right from the almost 7-min opening scorcher Swapan Tan, you just know that the jazz-rock will be steaming and streaming out of your speakers like a floodgates overcome by the Carlos tsunami. There are of course some calmer moments (would it still be a Santana album without those?) such as Spartacus (a gradual sublime crescendo with Carter's bass just being awesome), Phuler Matan (and its Arabic-Spanish intro) or the delightful Song For My Brother (which we imagine is Jorge) where Carlos shines like a solar eruption.

Jahma Kala is one of scorching track where the funk bass and the ever-inventive drumming (Lear in this case) just allow for the soloists to wail but not at the expense of the track's cohesion and Gardenia is much in the same vein; Sticking out like a bit sore thumb (but more like it is out of place rather than bad) is La Llave Latino-anthem. Golden hours is a very funky track with a flute soaring over the track before a sudden shift brings it around to more Voodoo-like influences and Carlos and the boys are just tearing our brains apart with a series of high flying solos reminiscent of RTF. The closing Sher Khan is a calm outro, not far from cool jazz.

Graced with a strange abstract artwork, which might be a bit misleading (especially compared to its jazz-rock predecessors), this album is another jewel in Carlos' crown, and a very instrumental jazz-rock excellence example, this album is a real must-hear for JR/F fans. Very close to 4,5 stars, but not flawless either, this often overlooked gem is only waiting for the progheads to unleash its charms.

Swing of Delight is a wonderful album that sees Carlos joined by a host of high-pedigree Musicians from the genuine jazz-rock revolution of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. This album is a surprising, joyful and uplifting experience, sometimes firey and full-on, and often relaxing and tasteful. A fellow collaborator here at PA (whom I have respect for, even though I don't know him, great reviewer) has covered this album in more detail than I can possibly muster, so I shall leave this one short and sweet - don't be put off by the unusual cover-art, the fact that it's a 1980 release and a solo album at that, it is a highly recommended album and one of Carlos' best from that late 70's/early 80's period.

I can hardly consider this album as being of the same quality than either the great ''Santana'' bands efforts or the early ''Love Devotion Surrender'' solo one. This ''The Swing of Delight'' is just an unlimited and difficult jazzy session of the man.

There are little to none delights to appear on this album; at times some genuine ''Santana'' sounds are shining like during the tranquil ''Love Theme From Spartacus''; but these items are quite isolated to be honest.

The great man won't forget to display his skills and talent in a track like ''Love Theme From Spartacus'', but so little moments are just scarce and leave me almost breathless while listening to this album.

I was of course not expecting any great stuff from the man in these early eighties. After all, Carlos only produced extremely weak efforts during these years: being with his band or during solo efforts like this one. Some tracks are OK though (''Phuler Matan'') but none is going to raise my attention to feel like I am listening to a very good album. On the contrary, it is very average stuff which is available in here.

Prog feeling is extremely alien to this jazz album. But it is not the first one of this genre to generate the same impression. Some good guitar breaks (''Song For My Brother'') are highlighting this average album: but isn't it the least we could expect from the great man?

This album is also extremely long (almost sixty minutes), and most of these seven minutes tracks (six in total) are just uninspired to be true (''Jharma Kala''). As a ''Santana'' fan, I just can't swallow such a track. Press next to avoid boredom.

The best number featured in here is the ''Samba Pa Ti'' derivate ''Gardenia''. Carlos produced a lot of these on the band's albums in the seventies and eighties. Since the mayonnaise had a jolly smell, there is no wonder that Carlos did intend to play some other passionate and great instrumental. Needless to say that this one is by far the best track from this album.

To be honest, it was not very difficult. The poor ''La Llave'' (the key) is just another dull filler as far as I am concerned. It is only highlighted by the good percussion work. The great man is of course on duty during the ''Golden Hours'' jam. Splendid musicianship throughout and a desperate beat is bound to please any burning ''Santana'' fan. It is one of the best track available.

This album is really average and prog is below average. Two stars, no more. Múevete, Carlos. No seas payaso!!!!

Father of Santana who was violin player. And, it devotes oneself to Blues that moves to San Francisco at one's teens and went out each other. Influence in Latin Jazz , for example, Cal Tjader. And, it influences it from the part , for example, Gabor Szabo. In the part of the nucleus that bore the music character of Santana, there might have been various respects and diversitys.

It creates concerning Latin Jazz-Rock as the band and the expression is well-known true from 1968. he of courseThe philosophy and the thought pursued with shape to devote oneself from the flow further appeared remarkably by the work of Santana Band. It might have been reflected in the music character with the form to which competing of Alice Coltrane and John MacLaughlin also promoted the thought and the philosophy further.

The establishment of the music character that Santana had cultivated in own band was expressed enough with the directionality. The work that had been announced in the 70's might have offered the music character established as a compilation of one and originality enough. And, the work that splendidly offers a true really musician he is this album.

It is likely to be able to count as a part of indeed high-quality Latin Jazz-Rock if it thinks about the music character of the band that he was doing for the listener and the fan in the 70's. However, the part of special might be indeed had both in this album as a work that can be satisfied of catching from width and another angle of the music character that Santana has and the expressions. And, there might be a lot of fans to enumerate this album as a good work as a work that can be satisfied of the depth of the interior of the music character of Santana.

This album exists as an album located between "Zebop" announced in "Marathon" and 1981 announced in 1979. And, it succeeds in splendidly making the taste of the musician who participated in this album an embodiment by music. The point that should make a special mention is a point where the music character of Santana is consistently steady. And, the point that Santana approaches Jazz/Fusion with this album. And, it unites and it is flexible with V.S.O.P. Quintet. The fact that approached Jazz/Fusion refined as a result might have offered the extension of the width of the music character of Santana though an of course familiar, worked by the band of Santana deep musician had been appointed. The height of the quality of the reaction, the idea to listen, and the arrangement is , in each music ..valuable... It might be an album where the element of Jazz/Fusion that Santana thinks about appears remarkably exactly.

"Swapan Tari" is a tune of Sri Chinmoy of the spiritual guide in India to which Santana devoted oneself. The melody that is reminiscent of elements of a few Spanish might be splendid. The work of the synthesizer contributes to the tune very much. And, shuffling rhythmically of Tony Williams that supports the performance. The obbligati of Herbie Hancock might be his exactly sound. Dash feeling in which complete space is created. Solo of Santana also shows respect besides own band. Solo of Wayne Shorter that appears after repeating the theme with expression of feelings merges completely in the tune. The performance and the composition are overwhelming.

The guitar of Santana expresses a famous melody with expression of feelings in "Love Theme From Spartacus". The sound of the keyboard with a transparent feeling and twining of the guitar are splendid. And, the part of Latin to which the taste of Santana is expressed well twines well. The part where soprano Sax of Wayne Shorter in close relation to the rhythm of Latin that Harvey Mason establishes is good is produced. And, Solo of Santana to get on the line of steady Bass that Ron Carter makes continues atmosphere.

"Phuler Matan" is a tune by Sri Chinmoy. It advances with the atmosphere of the fantasy and intoxication from the melody with expression of feelings to make good use of an acoustic guitar. The tune rushes into the part of the tension by performing V.S.O. P. The quality is improved while mixing the part where flamenco is reminiscent and the part of standard Jazz.

"Song For My Brother" might be a tune that is reminiscent of the music character to listen by "Moonflower". The impression approaches Jazz/Fusion. The melody to feel the sorrow is accompanied. The unison and the obbligati of the keyboard twine well, too.

In "Jharna Kala", an impressive melody in close relation to the dash feeling in which it runs completely about the space is a feature. The rhythm of fast Latin might twine round a philosophical theme and an advanced composition be splendid. Processing of line of Bass that keeps Solo of exploding Sax and steady dash feeling. The performance combines including Solo of the keyboard. The work of Herbie Hancock makes an indeed good flow. The tune keeps the tension and receives the top.

"Gardenia" might be a tune in which the expression of feelings of Santana is remarkably reflected. It is ..composition in which the atmosphere of Samba and Bossa Nova is taken to the melody that gives the relief.. finished. V.S.O. P to answer the creation of Santana performance contributes indeed well. Each player's taste is splendidly exactly expressed. Melody and theme. And, it is very a pretty tune including Solo.

The taste of Santana Band has gone out of "La Llave" well. The sound of a percussion instrument and a gentle guitar twines round the song that Alex Ligertwood is good. The composition with a bright melody is music for Santana. The performance in close relation to the rhythm with the part of Montuno and Cha-Cha is steady well.

"Golden Hours" is a tune for Latin and Fusion to unite splendidly completely. It might be one of the highlights of this album. Each player's taste is completely drawn out. The melody of good Fusion for the rhythm of Latin twines. Theme of unison of guitar and flute. Obbligati of keyboard. And, it is partial of splendid Solo of the flute. Or, it is partial of the anacatesthesia of the keyboard. Complete atmosphere is produced. The part and the oneness of the theme that the guitar alternately plays with the flute are splendid. And, it is partial of the percussion instrument and Cuica to get on Hi-Hat of the melody and 16 notes with the tension. And, the tune completely receives the top. The fight with the guitar of Santana and the synthesizer of Herbie Hancock offers overwhelming ability.

"Shere Khan,The Tiger" produces a complete anacatesthesia and a transparent feeling. Atmosphere that different respect is taken to the music character of Santana is produced. This tune is collected to "Atlantis" that Wayne Shorter announced in 1985. It will have the composition in which the part of Weather Report is reminiscent. The composition in which a dream stage is produced might have good atmosphere.

It might be an album that feels the width of the music character of Santana splendid. It is a work with another side that Santana that approached the field of Jazz/Fusion with ability exactly showed.