SANTANA 3

"Santana 3" (originally only titled "Santana") is the 3rd full-length studio album by US jazz rock/fusion act Santana. The album was released through Columbia Records in September 1971. The original album release features 9 tracks while the 1998 re-issue features 3 bonus tracks recorded live at the Fillmore West on the 4th of July 1971. A special "Legacy Edition" was released in 2006, which in addition to the orginal album, features some unreleased tracks and the full concert recorded live at the Fillmore West on the 4th of July 1971. Judging from the high quality of the three live bonus tracks on the 1998 re-issue version (which is the one I have), it´s definitely the "Legacy Edition" that´s the recommendable version.

The music is unmistakably the sound of Santana. With the addition of percussionist Coke Escovedo to the lineup, there are now three percussionists and one drummer in the band. The percussive assault on the album is now even more defining for the sound than on the first two albums by the band "Santana (1969)" and "Abraxas (1970)". The addition of the 17 year old guitarist Neal Schon also gives the band even more opportunities than they already had. He compliments Carlos Santana really well. The music, which is a mix of anglo pop/rock, blues, african and latin rythms, jazz and fusion, is well executed, intense and unique. The tracks are mostly instrumental but there are a couple of vocal tracks too such as the hit "No One To Depend On". The tracks "Guajira" and "Para Los Rumberos" feature latin style vocals. As a new thing Tower of Power contribute with some well arranged brass parts on some of the tracks. Most notably on "Everybody's Everything", but there are brass parts on other tracks too. Gregg Rolie´s organ playing is as omnipresent as ever and greatly enjoyable but it is Carlos Santana´s signature guitar playing that takes the price IMO. The man is absolutely on fire throughout the albums playing time. For evidence just try and take a listen to the last couple of minutes of "Toussaint l'Overture". Fierce yet melodic and controlled guitar soloing by someone I don´t hesitate to call a guitar hero in the most positive sense of the word. While his playing was intense and greatly enjoyable on the two first albums, he has lifted his playing to a whole new level on "Santana 3".

The production is powerful and sharp. Organic yet clean. A very well sounding and professional production.

Upon conclusion "Santana 3" is an excellent album by Santana, fully on par with the excellent debut album and to my ears a notch better than "Abraxas (1970)". A 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.