New Santana Album - Thoughts?

A little while ago I finished a review of the latest Santana:

http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/review/santana-iv/252440

And (in brief here) it's got a fair few interesting moments. I do think they could have cut the album by four or even five songs, but it's still good. Got some fun stuff on it and some great instrumental pieces too but the weight of expectations probably holds it back from being outstanding.

Anyone else had much of a listen to it?

^ agreed!  And it seems like they were happy enough to play together again, there was a short 'making of'-kinda clip I saw a while back where every seemed pretty happy (certainly for the cameras at least, but I then, doubt they'd have gotten through the album at all if they weren't having some fun at least :D)


http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3vHslfio7A


Echizo has that classic feel:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdX-MKXI8oY


Edited by dreadpirateroberts - 27 May 2016 at 5:46am

It's certainly the best thing he's done since the end of the 'classic' period.

Cannonball With Hat wrote: It's certainly the best thing he's done since the end of the 'classic' period.   It does tap into that mold/style of the early albums as good as a bunch of old guys can. It still suffers from what some of the early releases do to (too much straightforwardness mixed with excellent instrumental bits). And obviously there are ful songs that just miss the mark too.   I"ll probably buy it eventually because it is cheap.

I think you're spot on too about their age making it a bit harder for them to get back to that old sound, but I'm still enjoying it overall for sure. Worth it to hear them having fun I think :)

I'm glad Carlos is mending fences and patching up things with his old pals. I would imagine this project is as much fueled by remorse and a desire to fix personal problems than anything else, and I wish them all well. Some of the resultant music sounds good, and I bet even better live.