CARLOS SANTANA & JOHN MCLAUGHLIN: LOVE DEVOTION SURRENDER

"Love Devotion Surrender" is a collaborative album release by US jazz rock/fusion artist Carlos Santana and UK jazz rock/fusion artist John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu Orchestra). The album was released between the two Santana albums "Caravanserai (1972)" and "Welcome (1973)" and between the two Mahavishnu Orchestra albums "Birds of Fire (1973)" and "Between Nothingness and Eternity (1973 live album)". The lineup feature various members from Mahavishnu Orchestra and Santana but "Love Devotion Surrender" is more than anything the combined effort of the two guitarists. The album was released through CBS in the UK and Columbia in the US. It was certified Gold in 1973.

There are five tracks on the album. Two shorter mellow tracks ("Naima" and "Meditation") and three longer jazz rock/fusion tracks ("A Love Supreme", "The Life Divine" and "Let's Go Into The House of the Lord"). The two shorter songs are great for the variation of the album and serve as some much needed breathers between the quite furious fusion tracks. The three fusion tracks are the main pieces on the album and what pieces they are. The music on the album is almost entirely instrumental but there are a few chanting vocals spread out on the album. The trademark Santana latin percussion element is present on some tracks, bit it´s the powerful fusion drumming that is dominant.

"A Love Supreme" (a John Coltrane penned track) opens the album with some great duel guitar soloing by Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin. The difference between their tone and choice of notes are instantly audible. Carlos Santana´s warm, floating and organic playing versus John McLaughlin´s more cold, experimental and clinical ditto. They compliment each other to perfection on this album. "Naima" is a shorter acoustic and classical inspired track. Greatly enjoyable and a breather after the fierce fusion of the opening track. "The Life Divine" is a John McLaughlin penned track and the most inaccessible track on the album. It took me a few listens to appreciate but it´s an excellent song. "Let's Go Into The House of the Lord", which is a traditional arranged by Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin, is the centerpiece on "Love Devotion Surrender". Listening to that track the first time my jaw simply dropped. 15:45 minutes of pure bliss. While there are plenty of shredding guitar soloing on the track (and on the album in general), it´s strangely melodic and memorable. The album ends with the calm "Meditation".

The musicianship is outstanding on the album. Some of the greatest jazz rock/fusion players in the world are present on this album. Paired with a great organic sound production and some intriguing songwriting "Love Devotion Surrender" is what I´d call a jazz rock/fusion masterpiece. A 5 star (100%) rating is deserved.