I have more AL albums ---like Santana but don't own a lot of his music

Al Di Meola.

DiMeola hands down for me. His technicality and prowess are perfect IMHO, and he's one of my all-time favorite players to listen to - no matter what project he's in.

Al.
Hands down.
Technically better.
A wicked right hand on the guitar. His leads for me are intellectual and emotional at the same time. His phrasing is captivating. The musicians he works with are sick. I'm a drummer and although Santana has some great musicians and percussionists (and Dennis Chambers filling in on drums) for me Al has played with more of my inspirations: from Steve Gadd, Ernie Adams (an unknown favorite of mine), Peter Erskine, Manu Katche, Omar Hakim, Joel Taylor, Tom Brecthlein... not to mention Anthony Jackson, John Patitucci and Charlie Haden on bass, traded licks with Vai, and lest we forget, Chick Corea and Gonzalo Rubacalbo as of recent on keys in the studio... and a who's who of percussionists! Plus Al has a huge body of work and guested on a lot of other genres (Derek Sherinian's Black Utopia for one...didn't see that coming).

I was introduced to Al's music in my late teens after coming down from a hair metal high. I was looking for new inspirations and a friend turned me on to John Scofield (Loud jazz and Blue Matter), Mike Stern(Odds and Evens, and Jigsaw), and Al (Kiss My Axe and Orange and Blue) as a way to draw me towards the jazz idiom. It worked and I had an easier time accepting (and now reveling in) the education and life-long pursuit of understanding jazz. I still come back to Orange and Blue, The Infinite Desire, and The Grande Passion on a regular basis. Those recordings will transport you to a whole new magical world. Great music to pair with any kind of traveling you may find yourself doing.

Good Poll, though. ...dare I suggest Petrucci vs. Vai vs. Guthrie Govan next?

I have been listening to Carlos Santana pretty much ever since he hit the airwaves and have come to a greater appreciation of his playing in the last few years. At the same time, Big Al was one of the first non-rock guitarists I heard (the other being Pat Metheny); he blew me away then (a loooong time ago) and he still blows me away. Al gets my vote. BTW: Since this has been around for more than a year now, is anybody reading this? Send me a pm.

Just locked the poll at 27 a piece voting for Santana

Kati wrote: sagichim wrote: Sumdeus wrote: Kati I highly recommend the first RTF album! it has no Meola but some very beautiful music god I love Corea's keyboard playing  It's my favorite RTF album. Very unique. Now I am most curious really and eager to listen!!!

Sumdeus wrote: Kati I highly recommend the first RTF album! it has no Meola but some very beautiful music god I love Corea's keyboard playing

Brilliant no doubt Abraxas

Return to Forever's "Romantic Warrior" was the first prog album I ever got into, so it has a special place in my heart. From a production standpoint, I think it's one of the best sounding albums from the 70s, regardless of genre, and the music kicks ass.

Try RTF's "Returns" (2009) album. Some great renditions of classic tunes, with some great improvisation.