SANTANA

There were many kinds of innovating albums back then in the 60s, those that incorporated other cultures music, others that used new techniques of production, others started making suites or conceptual albums, and so on. Well, the Santana band with their debut innovated the mix between late 60s electrifying rock with Latin American's percussive fest.

Carlos chose the perfect ingredients to triumph with this style: his emotional guitar that could also rock hard, Greg's great B3 Hammond Organ and suitable vocals, and a highly entertaining and involved rhythm section. The result was definitely original and catchy.

Yes, this is a debut album, so don't expect the refined and sophisticated playing that was shown in Caravanserai, but that doesn't matter actually once you listen to the album. It's pure enjoyment: from the rockin' instrumentals 'Waiting', 'Savor' and 'Soul Sacrifice' demonstrating the rock and rhythmic powder of the band to the incredibly fun singles 'Evil Ways' and 'Jingo' and finally to the beautiful instrumental entitled 'Treat' with Greg playing the piano for a change.

Santana, the album, is indeed less diverse and rawer than future releases, like Abraxas that has jazz inspired tunes and some gentle instrumentals or the full-blown jazzy Caravanserai, but that's really just the consequence of being a debut album and because of that it shouldn't be criticized.

Essential rock album and a masterpiece of latin infused rock/hard rock. All of you prog fans are rock fans, so if you don't have this and Abraxas you still can't consider yourselves true rock fans.

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