Supernatural - Santana > Reviews > QUITE COMMON

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Satisfactory

Advantages:	On CD
Disadvantages:	?

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

***INTRO***

I bought my CD version of Santana's SUPERNATURAL from a record store in Covent Garden London for £11.99 around about 2000 A.D. I decided to upgrade from tape to CD and decided I needed some Santana, I noticed this on special offer. It featured some artists I noticed recently on the scene including Lauryn Hill and Eric Clapton. The cover is exceedingly colourful and the package includes a booklet packed with information and colour as well (art adopted from the original painting "Mumbo jumbo".

***ABOUT SANTANA***

The latest line up of Santana (there have been many) includes Carlos Santana, Chester Thompson, Raul Rekow, Karl Perazzo, Tony Lindsay, Benny Rietveld, Rodney Holmes. Instruments, drums, percussion, guitars, keyboards. Santana was born in a Mexican village of Autlan. 1966 debut performance of Santana Blues Band, 1969 Woodstock. To date the band has been awarded 10 platinum & 9 gold Grammies. In 1987 the band attended the Rock & Roll summit a joint US - Soviet rock concert. The Santana band was the 1st band to ever earn CBS records crystal globe award for the sale of more than 5 million records.

***DISCOGRAPHY***

Ceremony 2003, The Essential Santana 2002, Shaman 2002, Divine Light 2001, Supernatural 1999, Best of Santana 1998, Santana 1998, Santana 111 1998, Santana 1998, Abraxas 1998, live at the Filmore 1968 (1997), Dance of the Rainbow Serpent 1995, Milagri 1992, Spirits Dancing in the Flesh 1990, Viva Santana 1998, Freedom 1987, Beyond Appearances 1985, Shango 1982, Zebop 1981, Marathon 1979, Inner Secrets 1978, Moonflower 1997, Amigos 1996, Festival 1976, lotus 1975, Borbolette 1974, Welcome 1973, Caravanserai 1972, Santana 111 1971, Abraxas 1970, Santana 1969.

***THE ALBUM***

The CD was mastered at Sterling Sound by Stephen Marcussen. It is the 36th in Carlos' career and has gone diamond selling over 24 million albums worldwide.

1. (DE LA) TALEO 5.51
Written by C. Santana & C. Polloni, produced by C. Santana.
Engineered by Mike Couzi & Glenn Kolotkin.
A typical Santana sound.

2. LOVE OF MY LIFE 3.48
(Featuring Dave Mathews)
Written and produced by C. Santana & D. Mathews.
Engineered by John Seymour, Jim Gaines & Steve Fontano.
Santana sound with additional vocals which add something different to the total
Sound.

3. PUT YOUR LIGHTS ON 4.47
Featuring Everlast
Written by E. Schrody. Produced by Dante Ross.
Engineered by Steve Fontana, Steve Farrone & John Gamble.
Accoustic sound with electric guitar.. The vocals add blues feel to the tune.

4. AFRICA BAMBA 4.40
Written by Toure, S. Tidiane Toure, C. Santana & K. Perazzo.
Engineered by Mike Couzi at Fantasy Studios.
More typical Santana sound with pleasant vocal sound.

5. SMOOTH 4.30
Featuring Bob Thomas
Music by Itaal Shur & Rob Thomas.
Recorded by David Thoener at Fantasy Studios.
More typical sound, pleasant vocal.

6. DO YOU LIKE THE WAY 5.32
Featuring Lauryn Hill & Cee Lo
Written by Lauryn Hill.
Engineered by Commissioner Gordon & Toni Prendatt.
A more modern sound for Santana, Santana guitar sound arrives later in the song.

7. MARIA MARIA 4.21
Produced by Wyclef Jean & Jerry Wonder Duplesses.
written by W. Jean, J. Duplessis, C. Santana, K. Perazzo & R. Rekow.
Wyclef featured on vocals Spainish textured stroll fusing Latin, African,
pan - Caribbean sounds.

8. MIGRA 9.24
Written R. Taha, C . Santana, & T. Lindsay, published by Delabel Editions.
Produced by KC Porter for Worldbeat.
Classical Santana.

9. CORAZON ESPINADO 4.32
Featuring Mana.
Written by F. Olvera, produced by Fher Olvera & KC Porter.
A rumba sound.

10. WISHING IT WAS 4.59
Featuring Eagle eye Cherry.
Written by Eagle-Eye Cherry, produced by KC Porter for Worldbeat Productions.
Classical Santana sound, eagle eye vocals sound almost conventional.

11. EL FAROL 4.49
Written by C. Santana & KC Porter, published Stellabella Music/Olinga Music.
Engineered by Glenn Kolotkin, Jeff Poe, John Karpowich, Jim Gaines & Steve
Fontano, Glenn kolotkin & Alvaro at Worldbeat Recording.
Classical Santana sound.

12. PRIMAVERA 5.17
Written by KC. Porter & JB Eckl, published by Olinga Music.
Engineer by Jim Scott, Jeff Poe, John Karpowich, Matty Spindel, Jim Gaines,
Steve Fontano, Glenn Kolotkin & Alvaro Villagro at Worldbeat Recordings.
Classical Santana sound.

13. THE CALLING 7.48
Featuring Eric Clapton
Written by C.Santana & C. Thompson, published by Stellabella Music. Produced
Carlos Santana. Eric Clapton's guitar sounds noticeably different.

***MY OPINION***

Its good to have some Santana back in my collection, I remember listening to a lot of Santana at university in the 1970's. At the point of sale what particularly attracted my attention will have been the guest artist including some old favourites like Eric Clapton. They add some variety to Santana's sound it can get a bit monotonous at times. In terms of value for money there is plenty of music on the CD, the website at www.santana.com is worth checking out for further information along with advice concerning Santana's charitable work Milagro.