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User
Reviews 8
Approval 58%
Soundoffs 1
Album Ratings 9
Last Active 04-03-12 3:29 pm
Joined 04-03-12
Review Comments 40
| Santana Studio records Worst to Best
Listening all Santana records is such a milestone, first because there are a lot of them, and second, because is not always easy, the “band” lost their mojo here and there. Still, it was such a great journey. This is my personal studio records ranking, from worst to best. | | 26 |  | Santana
Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics
It could have been an amazing work. The idea, on principle was great: a guitar legend playing legendary guitar tunes. I can´t but think, why don´t play ALONG those guitar legends, they were most of all alive by then. And adding anyone as guest didn´t help either. | | 25 |  | Santana
Corazón
Supernatural in spanish. At least that was the idea. Not a hurtful experience to listen -except for the butchering of Oye Como Va- but it seems like trying to pay some bills and not much else. I kinda return to these record only to listen Beijo de Longe. | | 24 |  | Santana
Beyond Appearances
Imagine is 1985 and you see this album cover on your record store. You think you are in for a treat. And then, some generic eighties sound all over the place. If you love -i mean, loooove- the eighties vibe, you´ll kind of enjoy this. Only highlight: Spirit. | | 23 |  | Santana
Spirits Dancing in the Flesh
The last of the eighties records, Spirits Dancing, released on 1990, still displays that sound, where you struggle to find the Santana dna. It feels like a Disney movie soundtrack. Highlight: Soweto. | | 22 |  | Santana
Shaman
I guess many people enjoys this Supernatural wannabe. I´m not one of them. Not bad songs, but i can´t shake the feeling that this is a mix of then current artists´ with Santana as guest. Highlight: emmm i don´t know… | | 21 |  | Santana
Freedom
Returning to the 80s. It has some moments, but is like that decade overshadowed the real Santana sound. There are some moments though, like on Deeper, dig deeper. | | 20 |  | Santana
Blessings And Miracles
The last Santana record is an enjoyable experience, but not a memorable one. I have the feeling they put all the power on the first tracks and ran out of fuel for the rest. My highlight: listening to Cindy Blackman Santana behind the drumkit. | | 19 |  | Santana
All That I Am
Another Supernaturalish record. I do like this one better tan Shaman, not by a great margin though. Highlight: El Fuego. | | 18 |  | Santana
Africa Speaks
The collaboration with Buika is a novelty idea, and it Works, kinda. Also, Cindy at the drums. I like the fact that Carlitos decided to do this instead of another tryingtopleaseeverybody record. | | 17 |  | Santana
Shango
The best of his eighties records. I know there are a couple of 80s work above on this list, but they belong to a different approach. I think with Shango Santana started his eigthies attack. And he did it with power. Highlight: Nueva York, beautiful blend of the Santana sound with the decade. | | 16 |  | Santana
Marathon
Marathon is the lesser of the Radio Rock Trio records, but is still a good álbum to dig in. It has some good moments: Aqua Marine, Summer Lady, to pick a few. | | 15 |  | Santana
Zebop!
From here to the top, all recommendable Albums. The last of the Radio Rock Trio record starts slow, but grow to convince you Sanana still got it -back then-. So many great tunes here: É Papa Ré, Tales of Kilimanjaro, The Sensitive Kind, American Gypsy, and the most beautiful song of the record: Brighstest Star. Ahhhh Carlos has love on those fingers. | | 14 |  | Santana
Borboletta
The last one of the Jazz Fusion Trio. It is not as powerful as the other two, but still, such an enjoyable experience. Canto de las Flores, One with the Sun, Mirage, so many beautiful songs in here. Again, not as good as the other two Jazz records though. | | 13 |  | Santana
Milagro
After drinking a lot from the eitghties sound, Santana entered to the nineties with such flare. Milagro is that, a miracle. It feels younger, brighter, edgier. It has punch and flavor to spare. It has the Carlos Guitar sound we wanted back. Somewhere in heaven, Saja/Right On, Your Touch, Agua que va a Caer to name some. Great return to form. | | 12 |  | Santana
Santana IV
The last great record by the band, using the term band properly this time, because the boy were united once more. Rollie, Shrieve, Carabello, Carlitos, 4 of 6 founding members, enough to make an amazing record. The taste was there, the vibe as well, the sound was there through modern equipment. Amazing record to sit, remember and enjoy. | | 11 |  | Santana
Moonflower
Moonflower should be at the top 10 for Flor D´Luna alone. Such an amazing song.
After jazzing around, the band decided to do whatever they wanted and released three mighty records. Moonflower was the last of them, mixing amazing live recordings with pretty inspired studio experiments. Really, it worths the whole listen. | | 10 |  | Santana
Inner Secrets
The first of the Radio Rock albums. I just love the way they blend the late seventies vibe and sound with the Santana dna. It just works, it just feels right. The cowbell on Dealer, and even more on Stormy, the disco blend on One Chain with delicious latin percusion behind, the feeling on Life is a Lady. Inmense record. | | 9 |  | Santana
Amigos
After the jazz fusión trio, they released this beauty of a record. It should be higher for Europa alone, one of Santana´s greatest songs. But it´s not just that. Dance sister dance is amazing, specially the outro, Take me with you is pure Santana, Gitano is an acoustic delight, and Let it Shine feels like a cop show, in a good way. | | 8 |  | Santana
Welcome
The second Jazz fusion record, and a journey by itself. They were really in the zone here. It has an amazing ambient, they were trying many things, and most of them -if not all of them- worked perfectly. This is a mature record to listen. Samba de Sausalito, When i Look into Your Eyes, the brazilian Yours Is the Light, Light of Life end the ambitious Flame Sky, all highlights from an inspired work. | | 7 |  | Santana
Shape Shifter
After trying too hard to replicate the Supernatural phenomenom, Carlos kinda lost their way, until he remembered he was one of the greatest guitar players ever and decided to make Shape Shifter, a non commercial guitar oriented record, mostly instrumental. Having top notch backing musicians like Dennis Chambers helped a lot. The title fits properly. Carlos goes everywhere, musically, always with flare, precision and taste. Give this one a chance. When you´ll reach Mr Szabo, you´ll thank me. | | 6 |  | Santana
Supernatural
I´m still thinking if there is a “classic” rock band who managed to launch a modern record as succesful as Supernatural. That record reseted the world, it was that huge on 1999. It had it all. Modern sound, the Santana vibe, perfect blend, spotted on artists, memorable writing and even better performances, a huge range. Not a surprise Carlos wanted so bad to replicate this, but it wasn´t meant to be. Smooth is one of the most perfect song ever written. | | 5 |  | Santana
Festival
They went crazy with Festival. No more blend, no more fusion. Just pure and unadultered music. The first three songs just put a smile on your face. Then some sweet song on Give me Love, then Verao vermelho melts you, Revelations takes out your heart and Reach Up gives you a new one until they lullaby you wih The River. What a record. | | 4 |  | Santana
Abraxas
Some says Abraxas is the best Santana record. They have a point. Abraxas is a perfect record from the first second to the last one. 37 minutes of inmense musicianship. Perhaps you know Black Magic Woman, or Oye Como Va, or Samba pa ti, but it´s a different thing hearing those tunes in context. They Paint layers and layers of music in front of you. Highlight: the whole record. | | 3 |  | Santana
Santana III
And Then, Santana II happens. When you think Abraxas is the best, The charge once more with a perfected formula. It´s that amazing. From the great Opener, Batuka, to the tasty No One to Depend On, the feel of Taboo (that sustained guitar note!) to the crazyness of Toissaint, the fun of Everything to land on the flavor that is Guajira. Listen to the extended versión and get mesmerized with Folsom Street. | | 2 |  | Santana
Caravanserai
After perfecting the original formula, they decided to change direction and went where it had perfect sense: jazz fusion. They were ideal for that. Great musicianship, inmense taste for music and hunger for experimentation. The result is Caravanserai, a travel all over the world. Everyone is at the top of their games. Shrieve performed absolutely brilliant. Greg´s keyboards are so cohesive and tasteful and of course, Carlitos was at his peak. You HAVE to listen to Caravanserai from start to finish. Such a trip. | | 1 |  | Santana
Santana
I know perhaps the first record is not their finest, considering how they perfected their sound, but the debut album is a powerhouse on its own merit. How come they did this as their first record? It is a complete product already. The blend is just spot on. Everything is in place. It´s just an amazing experience. One of the greatest records period. Highlights: please, every single minute. | |
SomeCallMeTim
08.31.23 | I like that song Santa did with Rob Thomas | Snake.
08.31.23 | ^ "did you fuck my girlfriend, santa claus?" | Sabrutin
09.01.23 | Never took a dive in the discography but Caravanserai is magical | hillbillyag
09.05.23 | Great list and what an accomplishment. Listening to this vast a discography and then coherently placing them is more than most can do. And I mostly agree. The top 4 are correct in no particular order.
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