Santana is so smooth (Supernatural - Santana)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Supernatural - Santana
Date:	02/03/08 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some great tracks

Disadvantages: Some tracks which will only appeal to some

Supernatural is the 1999 album from the Mexican Latin sensation Carlos Santana. It is said that this album kickstarted his career after a faltering from the guitar supremo in the mid-1990s. It is a magnificent collection of music with Latin and Cuban themes, and incorporates the musical talents of modern genius minds such as Wyclef Jean, Eric Clapton and Eagle-Eye Cherry. Track 5 'Smooth', featuring the vocal talents of Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas was a massive interntaional hit. The album itself has gone 15 times platinum, and has won 9 Grammy awards.

I really like this album, particularly Everlast's invlovement in track 2, 'Put Your Lights On'. It is of a specific Latin/Cuban style, though, and will thus will only appeal to an audience favouring this style.

These are the tracks:

1. (Da Le) Taleo
2. Love Of My Life (featuring Dave Matthews)
3. Put Your Lights On (featuring Everlast)
4. Africa Bamba
5. Smooth (featuring Rob Thomas)
6. Do You Like The Wat (featuring Lauryn Hill and Cee-Lo)
7. Maria Maria (produced by Wyclef Jean & Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis)
8. Migra
9. Corazon Espinado (featuring Mana)
10. Wishing It Was (featuring Eagle-Eye Cherry))
11. El Farol
12. Primavera
13. The Calling (featuring Eric Clapton)

As this is album is one by Santana, it focuses heavily on the guitar over all other musical instruments. However, this is not a bad thing. The skill involved here is phenomenal, and a couple of tracks such as 'Smooth' and 'The Calling' do cross the void between the Latin/Cuban style and the more commercial pop rock style, but they only do so fleetingly. To completely cross would detract from the overall feel of the album. It is a little dated now, as many feel it was a flash in the pan from Santana. I disagree. I am still a firm fan of Santana, and the album relaxes me each time I listen to it.

The album is currently available from amazon.co.uk from £4.98 new and £0.50 used.

This review may appear on ciao.co.uk.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: A solid album with some solid stars