LAGNIAPPE RECORDS
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Coming just one year after his previous Oneness album, this album is very much in the same musical vein, but it appears a bit less philosophy-induced, even if Carlos cedes his rights to Sri Chinmoy on three tracks, but no less excellent. But this album has a stellar cast of guest that most real jazz artistes would only dream of: Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams and Ron Carter are present on over half the tracks while the rest of his group is present as well on the other tracks. As opposed to Oneness this album is more about semi-lengthy tracks (and the album clocks in at a whopping 57 minutes which was remarkable for a vinyl) which are mostly instrumental.
Songs / Tracks Listing
1. Swapan Tari (6:46)
2. Love Theme From "Spartacus" (6:50)
3. Phuler Matan (5:52)
4. Song For My Brother (6:56)
5. Jharna Kala (7:11)
6. Gardenia (7:08)
7. La Llave (3:40)
8. Golden Hours (6:36)
9. Shere Khan, The Tiger (5:45)
Total time 56:44
Line-up / Musicians
- Carlos Santana / acoustic, 12-string & electric guitars, vocals, percussion
With:
- Alex Ligertwood / vocals (7)
- Herbie Hancock / piano, Fender Rhodes, clavinet, synths (Clavitar, Prophet 5, Yamaha CS80, Oberheim 8 voice, brass & strings)
- Wayne Shorter / soprano (2,6,9) & tenor (3,9) saxes
- Russell Tubbs / flute (8), soprano (1,3) & tenor (4,5) saxes
- David Margen / bass (1,4,5,8)
- Ron Carter / acoustic bass (2,3,6,7,9)
- Tony Williams / drums (1,3,6)
- Harvey Mason / drums (2,4,7,9)
- Graham Lear /drums (5,8)
- Armando Peraza / congas, bongos, percussion
- Raul Rekow / congas, percussion, vocals
- Orestes Vilato / timbales, percussion, vocals
- Francisco Aguabella / congas (7)
While the album is a full-fledged jazz-rock fusion product of its time, I find that the usual flaws of many of those albums are not present on this one. While the music can hover between Weather Report, Spiro Gyra and Return To Forever on the one side and Mahavishnu Orchestra on the other side, it mostly retains that typical Santana sound. Right from the almost 7-min opening scorcher Swapan Tan, you just know that the jazz-rock will be steaming and streaming out of your speakers like a floodgates overcome by the Carlos tsunami. There are of course some calmer moments (would it still be a Santana album without those?) such as Spartacus (a gradual sublime crescendo with Carter's bass just being awesome), Phuler Matan (and its Arabic-Spanish intro) or the delightful Song For My Brother (which we imagine is Jorge) where Carlos shines like a solar eruption.
Jahma Kala is one of scorching track where the funk bass and the ever-inventive drumming (Lear in this case) just allow for the soloists to wail but not at the expense of the track's cohesion and Gardenia is much in the same vein; Sticking out like a bit sore thumb (but more like it is out of place rather than bad) is La Llave Latino-anthem. Golden hours is a very funky track with a flute soaring over the track before a sudden shift brings it around to more Voodoo-like influences and Carlos and the boys are just tearing our brains apart with a series of high flying solos reminiscent of RTF. The closing Sher Khan is a calm outro, not far from cool jazz.
Graced with a strange abstract artwork, which might be a bit misleading (especially compared to its jazz-rock predecessors), this album is another jewel in Carlos' crown, and a very instrumental jazz-rock excellence example, this album is a real must-hear for JR/F fans. Very close to 4,5 stars, but not flawless either, this often overlooked gem is only waiting for the progheads to unleash its charms.
STORE HOURS
OPEN: Wednesday thru Saturday
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
NOPE: Sunday, Monday & Tuesday
Vinyl, Tapes, & Shit
*SEALED* Jacket still sealed in shrink original wrap; disc sold ungraded or "as is."
NM (Near Mint) Appears unplayed and will bear no marks, sleeve scuffs, or scratches.
EX+ (Excellent) May have one or two visible imperfections (i.e. sleeve scuffs, faint scratches, or other superficial marks) that will not affect playback.
VG+ (Very Good+) A few visible imperfections. These may include sleeve scuffs, light scratches, or other superficial marks.
VG (Very Good) Similar imperfections found on VG+ records but in slightly greater numbers. Records graded VG and above will typically not have any scratches that are deep enough to be felt with a fingernail.
VG- (Very Good-) A number of visible imperfections; the presence of a considerable number of light scratches will force a VG- grade, as will the presence of significant isolated defects such as scratches deep enough to be felt with a fingernail.
G (Good) Record can be played without skipping, but will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. G+ and G- are used to indicate stronger and weaker copies within this range.
*SW/DNAP* Slight warp, does not affect playback
*QUAD* Quadraphonic Sound, similar to today’s surround sound
All records are visually graded by our experienced staff, using a bright lamp and an Audio-Technica ATLP-120 turntable.