Album : Santana – Abraxas

After absolutely digging Santana’s first album it was just natural that CB would grab ‘Abraxas’ and right from the start I was back in that familiar territory. There was no warming up needed, percussion, electric piano and that searing guitar. The Santana sound. A little instrumental tune up to kick things off then into ‘Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Woman’. Perfect. No better song for CB. What a great groove and version of Peter Green’s tune. Love the way they lead in and then bring in the vocals.  Santana kills this one. Then it’s right into ‘Oye Como Va’ with a cool organ lick, bongos and percussion joining in, some spanish vocals and then Carlos goes to town. I love his playing.  What a cool groove on this one.  The last cut of side one has the band laying down their jazz/rock, sound.

Side two picks it up where we left off on side one with a harder edge. ‘Mother Daughter’ gets Greg Rolie back in the mix with his lyrics and vocals (thought he was the perfect fit). I really like his work and this song, the band cooks. The band slows it down at the start of the next cut with Carlos laying down some nice work. The music builds and the tempo picks up. ‘Hope You’re Feeling Better’ is just a great rock tune with the organ opening it up and the drums kicking in.  Liked it when the band rocked out. Carlos cuts loose again. The album ends with a percussive instrumental.

Santana was a band that CB didn’t have a hard time liking. CB loved it. The music was infectious. Driving percussion, organ, vocals, great beat, jams and Carlos’s fantastic playing.   The whole package resonated with me.  The music just keeps coming at you. Great stuff. I really dig this record.

Catch the Santana beat and the Santana sound.