This is Santana’s second album released in 1970. After an amazing performance at Woodstock, the band were on a roll as that latin groove hit the spot perfectly. This early incarnation of the band were all about the jam and extending tunes to the max, and I didn’t realize that he didn’t write a whole lot himself. The only thing he writes on here is Samba Pa Ti, which along with Black Magic Woman, were the two songs on this album that everyone was familiar with.
Other than Carlos himself, the other band member that catches your attention is keys and vocalist, Greg Rollie, whose Fender Rhodes and Hammond playing are a distinct feature of the band. Carlos’ ability to arrange Classical Latin tunes into a Rock environment is genius. Oyo Como Va and Samba Pa Ti being cases in point. These early albums are very of their time, but still a fun listen.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
