Saturday, May 21, 2016

Santana - Caravanserai (1972 us, gorgeous jazz fusion rock, 2011 MFSL Ultradisc)



Drawing on rock, salsa, and jazz, Santana recorded one imaginative, unpredictable gem after another during the 1970s. But Caravanserai is daring even by Santana's high standards. Carlos Santana was obviously very hip to jazz fusion -- something the innovative guitarist provides a generous dose of on the largely instrumental Caravanserai. Whether its approach is jazz-rock or simply rock, this album is consistently inspired and quite adventurous. 

Full of heartfelt, introspective guitar solos, it lacks the immediacy of Santana or Abraxas. Like the type of jazz that influenced it, this pearl (which marked the beginning of keyboardist/composer Tom Coster's highly beneficial membership in the band) requires a number of listenings in order to be absorbed and fully appreciated. But make no mistake: this is one of Santana's finest accomplishments. 
by Alex Henderson
Tracks
1. Eternal Caravan Of Reincarnation (Tom Rutley, Neal Schon, Michael Shrieve) - 4:28
2. Waves Within (Doug Rauch, Gregg Rolie, Carlos Santana) - 3:54
3. Look Up (To See What's Coming Down) (Doug Rauch, Gregg Rolie, Carlos Santana) - 3:00
4. Just In Time To See The Sun (Gregg Rolie, Carlos Santana, Michael Shrieve) - 2:18
5. Song Of The Wind (Gregg Rolie, Carlos Santana, Neal Schon) - 6:04
6. All The Love Of The Universe (Carlos Santana, Neal Schon) - 7:36
7. Future Primitive (José Areas, Mingo Lewis) - 4:15
8. Stone Flower (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Carlos Santana, Michael Shrieve) - 6:15
9. La Fuente Del Ritmo (Mingo Lewis) - 4:31
10.Every Step Of The Way (Michael Shrieve) - 9:07

Musicians
*Carlos Santana – Lead Guitar, Vocals, Percussion
*Neal Schon – Guitar
*Gregg Rolie – Organ, Electric Piano, Vocals, Piano
*Douglas Rauch – Bass, Guitar
*Douglas Rodrigues – Guitar
*Wendy Haas – Piano
*Tom Rutley – Acoustic Bass
*Michael Shrieve – Drums, Percussion
*Jos̩ "Chepito" Areas РPercussion, Congas, Timbales, Bongos
*James Mingo Lewis – Percussion, Congas, Bongos, Vocals, Acoustic Piano
*Armando Peraza – Percussion, Bongos
*Hadley Caliman – Saxophone, Flute
*Rico Reyes – Vocals
*Lenny White – Castanets
*Tom Coster – Electric Piano
*Tom Harrell – Orchestra Arrangement

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7 comments:

  1. I fully concur Marios - this is Carlos Santana's finest (with Welcome a close second). I still remember the first time I heard this album. I was a young teenager who had never experienced drugs, but somehow experienced a trip of epic proportions while listening to this album. I have a quadrophonic pressing of this album which blew the stereo release out of the water - so many glorious sounds and effects, I just can't put it into words.
    Keep up the great work mate and thanks for the Doug Ashdown and Phil Sawyer posts. Cheers from Down Under

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  2. A fantastic album. I have this in different versions, vinyl, lossless, hi-res...but I think I will give this MFSL release a chance. Thank you, Marios!

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  3. Gorgeous from start to finish, relaxed yet fiercely intense at the same time in a way that very few other albums are (Can's Future Days is the closest to its vibe that I can think of). On my top 10 desert island list for certain...

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  4. At last... folk who share my convictions! Kicks off with the Mediterranean sound of crickets and cicadas, and from there on, you are literally 'transported' into a natural world which most of us would be profoundly grateful to live (and indulge) in. And if sleepless nights are your cross, give this one a try (on equipment you don't need to turn off, of course!).

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