Record Reviews

CARLOS SANTANA ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM CLASSICS SONY 886976260620 (Barcode: 886976260620) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1980 Released: 2010 This Box Set collects reissues of three studio albums by the iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader Carlos SantanaFind albums by this artist, originally released on the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label between 1974 and 1980. They are: “IlluminationsFind albums with this title” (1974), “Oneness: Silver Dreams - Golden RealtyFind albums with this title” (1979) and “The Swing Of DelightFind albums with this title” (1980). All three were released under Santana’s Sanskrit name Devadip Carlos SantanaFind albums by this artist given to him by Sri ChinmoyFind albums by this artist. These three albums followed Carlos Santana’s debut solo album recorded in collaboration with guitarist John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist entitled “Love Devotion SurrenderFind albums with this title” (1973). “Illuminations” is a collaboration with pianist / harpist Alice ColtraneFind albums by this artist, the wife of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist. SantanaFind albums by this artist (the group) keyboardist Tom CosterFind albums by this artist and percussionist Armando PerazaFind albums by this artist play on the album and Coster also co-composed three of the tracks. Jazz musicians: bassist Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist and several others take part in the recording, as well as a large string section conducted by Alice Coltrane, who wrote the arrangements and co-composed one the tracks. A short chant by Chinmoy is the album’s opening track. “Oneness: Silver Dreams - Golden Realty” presents fifteen relatively short compositions, most composed by Carlos Santana and is performed by a large group of musicians, including many Santana (the group) members. The first six tracks were recorded live and the rest were recorded in the studio. “The Swing Of Delight”, originally a double LP, presents nine compositions performed by a large group of top Jazz musicians, including Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist, Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist, Ron CarterFind albums by this artist, Tony WilliamsFind albums by this artist and many others. These three albums together with the a.m. “Love Devotion Surrender” album present some of the most spiritual and deeply Jazz influenced music that Carlos Santana created during his long-lasting career. The mixture of Indian spirituality, which he shared with many Jazz musicians at the time, and extensive / hypnotic Jazz improvisations are in retrospect some of his best achievements, and deserve to be cherished and remembered. Side Note The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!

Updated: 13/09/2021Posted: 13/09/2021

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend