Record Reviews

SANTANA ~ SANTANA IV SONY 696859969492 (Barcode: 696859969492) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2014 - 2015 Released: 2016 This is the 24th studio album by SantanaFind albums by this artist and not a "lost" unreleased album by one of the greatest and most inventive Rock bands in the history of modern music; this is the reunion album which assembles five of the original members of the band, who participated in the recording of Santana´s third album: guitarists Carlos SantanaFind albums by this artist and Neal SchonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Gregg RolieFind albums by this artist, drummer Michael ShrieveFind albums by this artist and percussionist Michael CarabelloFind albums by this artist. The band is further enhanced by the presence of bassist Benny RietveldFind albums by this artist and percussionist Karl PerazzoFind albums by this artist, both members of the current incarnation of the band. The album presents sixteen new songs, which were written by the band members over a period of two years. Reunion albums are very perilous endeavors and the fact that this album is overall quite excellent is a true miracle. During the forty five years that passed between the release of Santana III and Santana IV, the musical world went through so many changes (all for the worse of course) that the sheer audacity of the band to ignore the odds and try to make an about-turn and create an album that continues the music the band played then is staggering. And yet, to a large extend they succeeded to accomplish the impossible and the music on this album is instantly recognizable as Santana circa early 1970s or at least originating in that period. After all Santana invented Latin Rock and over time no other band made any significant contribution to that genre or surpassed Santana´s abilities. Of course not everything is perfect here: the material displays certain ups and downs and is not exactly in par with the tunes from the past. The vocals are somewhat trivial, which worked fine with the spontaneity of the original albums, but is not acceptable any more. The biggest problems lay within the production aspects of the album: the sound is way too sharp and dry and the mix is uneven and often hides instruments, especially the guitars, beneath the percussion racket. Rather than going for the contemporary sound this album would have benefited considerably from using a "retro" sound, emphasizing the continuity effect. But all criticism aside, this is an ass-kicking album, which offers one and a quarter of an hour of genuine Rock, which very few other bands today are able even to come close to. So this, the twenty-third studio album by Santana, is definitely a most welcome rejuvenation effort, which is an absolute delight to be listened to, especially in comparison to the usual toxic waste the musical industry spews out every day. Hasta siempre amigos!

Updated: 30/05/2026Posted: 18/07/2016

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SANTANA ~ SUPERNATURAL ARISTA 078221908023 (Barcode: 078221908023) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 1997 - 1999 Released: 1999 This is the 18th studio album by the American group SantanaFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist / composer Carlos SantanaFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, seven of which were composed or co-composed by Santana and the rest originated from outside of the group. The album features a new lineup of the group with keyboardist Chester D. ThompsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Benny RietveldFind albums by this artist and drummer Rodney HolmesFind albums by this artist, but numerous additional musicians, vocalists and guest stars took part in the recording, including guitar legend Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist on one track. The album was released on the AristaFind albums on this label Records label, founded by producer Clive DavisFind albums by this artist, who originally signed the group to ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records in 1969. The album was a huge commercial success. The music marks a significant stylistic change in Santana’s career, obviously moving towards the commercial Pop market. Yet despite this transition, the music retained many of the basic Santana characteristics, like the strong Latin music influences and of course the familiar Carlos Santana guitar licks, which albeit shorter and more concise, are still as brilliant as ever. In retrospect, considering the vast amount of superb music Santana recorded over time, the stylistic change was to be expected at some time. This music is quite far from the Jazz improvisation soaked early recordings, but it remains better that most contemporary Pop efforts attempted at the time. Overall, it is a sort of Jazz-Pop Fusion classic in its own niche of Latin influenced music, which withstands the test of time with ease, and a quarter of a Century later is still quite listenable, with a tear in one’s eye corner.

Updated: 30/05/2026Posted: 30/05/2026

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