music review - Stringing melodies

Carlos Santana and his classic line-up of the Woodstock-era are coming together after a gap of 45 years to come out with the album Santana IV. The last time Santana (guitar, vocals), Gregg Rolie (lead vocals, keyboard), Neal Schon (guitar, vocals), Mike Carabello (congas, percussion) and Michael Shrieve (drums) made music together was in 1971, when they came out with the superhit Santana III. For Santana, of course, this is the 23rd album.

Santana may seem like a solo artiste and a wizard on the guitar. But in reality, he has always needed collaborations.

The album combines a heady blend of all their signature elements including Afro-Latin rhythms, vocals, Blues-psychedelic guitar solos, and percussion work. The new Santana band members Benny Rietveld (bass), Karl Perazzo (timbales, percussion, vocals) also make their contribution.

The song “Anywhere You Want To Go” brings the combined chemistry of each of the artistes — Rolie’s mid-song keyboard solo, Santana’s guitar virtuosity and Schon’s guitar depth. “Fillmore East” — instrumental — is a cool guitar odyssey. The album also has Isley Brothers’s “Love Makes the World Go Round” and “Freedom in Your Mind” (featuring Ronald Isley). “Blues Magic” is a meditative track with Rolie and the guitarists complimenting each other. “Leave Me Alone” brings back the magic reminiscent of “Oye Como Va” groove. To keep up with recent trends, the track “Choo Choo” incorporates a house beat, though it is not a good idea.

“Forgiveness” is a seven-minute-long workout song, bringing the rather long album of 16 tracks to a close.