Track Listing

1. Batuka
2. No One to Depend On
3. Taboo
4. Toussaint L'Overture
5. Everybody's Everything
6. Guajira
7. Jungle Strut
8. Everything's Coming Our Way
9. Para los Rumberos
10. Batuka [Live][#][*]
11. Jungle Strut [Live][#][*]
12. Gumbo [Live][#][*]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6987 in Music
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 1998-03-31
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
The last hurrah of the original Santana band, which had stunned the world with its fiery performance at Woodstock two years before, Santana (frequently called "Santana III" so as not to confuse it with the group's eponymous 1969 debut) is an impressive combination of tightly constructed Latin-fueled pop songs ("No One to Depend On," "Everybody's Everything," "Everything's Coming Our Way") and sprawling jams ("Guajira," "Toussaint L'Overture," "Jungle Strut"). For his part, Carlos Santana hurls lightning bolts from his guitar throughout but offers opportunities for other band members, such as keyboardist Gregg Rolie and recently added guitarist Neal Schon (both of whom would rise to fame with Journey), a chance to shine as well. The 1998 reissue of this album adds three bonus tracks from a 1971 Fillmore West performance: "Batuka," "Jungle Strut," and "Gumbo." --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews

Just Smokin'
Based upon the liner notes from the Best of Santana, Carlos was dissappointed with the recording of this record. Totally mind-boggling. This CD is just loaded with memorable moments. Even the song-writing was improving. Both Everything Is Comming Our Way and Taboo feature some subtle hooks and soulful vocals from Greg Rollie. Not too mention some smokin' guitar solos from Carlos and Neal Schon. And what about the wah wah infected solo on Everybody's Everything? Definitely one of my all time favorite guitar solos. Tower of Power contributes nicely here as well. Guajrina offers a nice divergence from the usual heavy handed stylings. Gotta love the trumpet solo. Heck almost everything on here is spectacular. Some may get a little tired of the excessive percussion beats. Those who don't care for excessive isntrumentals may pass as well. However, this is Santana at its best and I would certainly rate this at least on the level of Abraxas if not slightly better.

Oustanding heavy latin rock
If you really want to hear a master guitar player who defined a style in top form this is the album to buy. His gripping and powerful ("weepingly melodic") style is both exciting and beautiful at the same time. Neal Schon is not half bad either. Taboo is positively thrilling as is the incredible interplay between the two guitar players on Toussaint L'Overture. The band are superb too and the wonderful latin rhythyms are a joy to listen too. This is my favorite Santana album (beating out Abraxus). Any fan of great guitar needs this album. For those who yearn a quieter more middle of the road Santana, then this may be all too much.

This is true Santana.
For those of you who listened to "Shaman" and threw it away either have this album or have heard all the songs on it. This is the Santana that we all know and love. The best of all of Santana's releases (there are some good ones too)and probably the most energetic. I could listen to this album a thousand times and not tire of it. It is Santana in top form.
DIG IT!!!