Last Albums: Santana - IV (2016)

Let's start with a little clarification. Santana IV, released in 2016, is only the last album by the original Santana band - the one that disintegrated after III was released - it's not hall-of-fame guitarist Carlos Santana's last studio record.

These sixteen compositions were recorded by a group who last worked together way back in 1971, forty-five years before IV was released. They were the outfit that hit the charts with classics like "Evil Ways," "Black Magic Woman," and "No One To Depend On."

The sessions were born out of Neal Schon's suggestion that he and Santana work together again. Not only was the great guitarist receptive to the idea, he suggested that they get the old band back together.

Santana plays guitar along with Schon, and both men sing. Organist Gregg Rolie is the lead vocalist. Drummer Michael Shrieve worked in tandem with Michael Carabello who played congas and percussion. Original timbale player José Areas did not take part in these sessions and bassist David Brown passed away in 2000. New additions include Benny Rietveld on bass and Karl Perazzo on timbales, percussion and additional vocals. Guest star Ronald Isley is the lead singer on two tracks, "Love Makes The World Go Round" and "Freedom In Your Mind."

As is the case with most Santana records it's a combination of jazz-fusion, Latin and African rhythms, and radio friendly rock. Both "Leave Me Alone" and "Anywhere You Want To Go" are reminiscent of "Evil Ways." "Sueños" should easily remind listeners of  the great "Samba Pa Ti," one of the highlights of the group's five-star Abraxas LP. "Come As You Are" is a fun dance tune. You can also easily move your feet to "Choo Choo" and the track it segues into - the instrumental "All Aboard" - but its lyrics are awful. "You make me happy when you shake your hips, When you sweat I wanna taste your lips." 

At over an hour and fifteen minutes IV is a bit too long. Part of what made Abraxas so compelling was that it didn't overstay its visit. A little less jamming and more astute editing could have made this reunion set a classic instead of only enjoyable.

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Last Albums discusses music that was recorded as new material and intended to be released to the public as a complete album but not necessarily the last one. Live albums, greatest hits or "best of" collections and compilations do not count, nor do posthumous releases of leftover tracks cobbled together to make a final album.

Comments

  1. Casey11:13 AM, July 31, 2024

    I dig "Suenos" too. Nice groove to chill. Never seen the album before, but like the cover. The "Last Albums" angle. That's an interesting subject. Look forward to seeing you bring others to the table from time-to-time. Stuff like that has always fascinated me. Stay safe out there! ~casey

    ReplyDelete

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