CARLOS SANTANA & JOHN MCLAUGHLIN: LOVE DEVOTION SURRENDER

''Santana'' (the band) has been a companion of mine since January '70 (I know, I'm getting old). I used to buy any ''Santana'' stuff available in these early seventies of which I am so found (yes, these were - are - the best moments of my musical life, but not only to tell the truth).

My first disappointment with the Carlos work was his first solo (?) album released in '72. The live album with Buddy Miles was a real blunder, and the teenage fan I was then was rather suspect to any new venture of the great man.

Still, I dug further with this album. I had absolutely no clue what to expect of a collaboration with Mc Laughlin (I was fourteen at the time of release) and I solemnly went on to purchase this album.

I remember that my first reactions were rather drastic: I really didn't like this album. At all. It led me to sell it as soon as I could. It is only recently that thanks to some mail exchanges wit Sean Trane who was so keen to promote the solo work of this gigantic guitar genius that I decided to give it one more try to this album some thirty five years after having discovered it.

And I was fu..ing damned blown away!!!

Of course, this work sounds more jazz oriented than the band's work. But the Latin-rock influences are so plenty! Wonderful percussion work. But with Cobham, Peraza and my beloved Michael Shrieve there couldn't be another result.

I can only confirm that this album is a fantastic follow-up to the incredible ''Caranvanserai'' (which I have rated with five stars, like any of the previous ''Santana'' album - yes, I love this band).

Not all tracks are fabulous, but I can feel so many emotions out there, that I can only urge you to run and have a listen to this great album.

The absolute masterpiece IMHHO is the long ''Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord''; A wonderful jamming track full of passion, SUBLIME guitar of course (with two guys like Carlos and John this is the least one can expect). For those of you who are familiar with some live experiences with the great man, you will of course recognize cues from the live ''Lotus''. Especially some ''Samba Pa Ti'' extravaganza. Do I need to tell that I am just found of these?

This track is just a furious hymn to guitar. A monument of jamming. A miracle of improvisation. A jewel of Latin rock music. A fabulous treat to any ''Santana'' fans. A highlight. A masterpiece.

The good thing is that most of the remaining tracks are also very good. Not as great of course, but '' A Love Supreme'' and '' The Life Devine'' sound so pleasant to my ears that I can only rate this album with four stars.

At times, it is so important to listen again to an album. Even if like in this case, thirty five years were necessary for me to realize how good was this work!

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