ONENESS - SILVER DREAMS, GOLDEN REALITY

Well it was about five years since Carlos had had time for another solo adventure away from his group, and I can assure you that the album was definitely worth the wait. With an extended cast of musicians, this album would provide some of the grandeur that had become a bit lost with the group's latest releases. This full-blown JR/F album is simply yet another highlight in a decade that was obviously very kind to Carlos. As the title indicates, there appear to have two distinct

Sonically speaking, if you can imagine Caravanserai or Borboletta with the Amigos timbre, you may have an idea of what this album sounds like. Most of the short tracks segue so naturally into one another that by the time you notice a full stop, you are already on track 7 and had such a good time that it appears all too short. But the album is hardly flawless: there are some completely out-of-place tracks such as that precise seventh track, the sub-title track, Silver Dreams. The following track, a triumphant Victory is much less intrusive, but astonishes by the recording level and the first side of the album finishes on the inhabitual (for Santana) piano-solo guru's Song

The second side start on the orgasmic real title track, which will bring shivers down your spine and its awesome majestic ambiances. Du grand art, Monsieur!! The next funky sung jazz-rock does not stand much a chance (although it is quite worthy) after such an excellent track, but still manages to catch your attention. Golden Dawn is another one of those sublime instrumentals that only Carlos can write. The album is nearing its end with the self-explanatory Morning Sun, then Carlos' wife reciting a short Chinmoy text and a very blistering track dedicated to himself and I can tell you that rarely has such well deserved tooting his own horn has been justified.

An awesome album very close to his bests such as Illuminations, LDS and Caravanserain or Borboletta, this album is warmly recommended. If it was not for one small glitch (the unlucky seven), this album would be yet another five stars album.

Needless to say that this ''Oneness'' is one of his poorest so far. The debut live one with Miles being probably the weakest of all.

When I listen to this work, I have some major difficulties to identify a great track. Each of them are either too hectic or too loose to be really interesting. Some sort of average jamming sessions with little flavour, at best.

There are hardly one great songs I can recommend here. Just have some other angles to the work of this great man/band from 1970 to 1972 with such great albums as ''Abraxas'', ''Third'', ''Caravanserai'' and their debut one. The solo with Mc Laughlin is also a must own IMO.

''Oneness'' is just a collection of short stuff with little interest. Orchestrations again, little inspiration and the worst vocals you could ever experienced. Of course, Greg Walker has never been an aficionado of my mine, and his poor contribution won't raise the quality of this album of course.

Two stars, nothing else.