Santana's Abraxas has become one of my all time favorite albums. I'm always moved when I listen to it because the music is experimental and timeless. Everything works on this album. The percussion, unbelievable guitar work, bass lines and keys are all extraordinary. Abraxas should be required listening for anyone that wants to understand how to take listeners on a trip while touching on many different forms of music in the process. I cannot select a hands down favorite because all of the songs are so damn good. I will say this though, Singing Winds, Crying Beasts into Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen is one of the most effective openers I have ever heard because the transition between the two songs is in a word, mesmerizing. Furthermore, the entire album contains some of the most heartfelt guitar work ever committed to tape. Carlos Santana gives his guitar a voice and like the truly great players, the instrument ceases to sound like an instrument, instead its sounds like a boundless singer's voice. The industry just doesn't release challenging and daring music like this anymore.

Wonderful album and great playing by Santana AND a teenage Neal Schon. One of Santana's best!

blackguitaristz said:

It's the one with Samba Pati? ( the Lucy 'song in ER)

This was the 1st Santana record I ever got. A killer LP. You can definetly tell Prince stole some "Abraxas" licks on his instrumental "God" (The version in the PR movie).

SPYZFAN1 said:

Man, shit! Hell yes he did. That WHOLE "God" piece is Santana. The lines and runs are straight Carlos.

blackguitaristz said:

A great deal of Prince's solo work is lifting from or inspired by Carlos Santana.

you think god is influanced by santana,i rather think itsinfluanced by jeff beck's "and we ended as a lovers"

Well the guitar phrases and bends Prince used in "God" are very reminiscent of Santana. Actually the 1st time I saw "Purple Rain" and that music came on, that was the 1st thing that came to my mind. Then later when Prince said his big influence was Santana, it kind of made sense. I've never heard Prince mention Jeff Beck. But Jeff Beck is cool too. "Wired" and "Blow By Blow" are great CD's.

Amazing album!

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

This is Santana at his best.

Hotlegs said:

I agree.

I love this album too. Carlos is a great musician.

And what will we get with Santana's forthcoming Album?

More 'duets' with Pop stars? More of Santana sounding like a guest on his own Album?

Sigh .....

Mr7 said:

Yes, I know exactly what you mean, but I don't mind the guests because the music is still 100% better than most shit I see on MTV and MM each day. Also, IMHO the songs on the last two cd's were pretty good. I didn't like all of them, but I liked the majority of them. His guitar playing is fantastic no matter who's singing or what song they are playing.

kisscamille said:

I'm just tired of him letting these pop stars sing all over his records.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

The song "Sideways" by Citizen Cope is fantastic. It pulls on my heartstrings and when a song does that, I'm hooked. It's my favourite song on that cd.

Mr7 said:

somehow these "duet" projects remind me of herbie hancock's "rockit" series in the sense that he's seein how far he can go with this style...but dont worry none'cause in the latest issue of guitar player, he says that 1n of the 2 albums hes got ccomin out is gonna be instrumental....

This IS a great record.hard to believe Neil was 15 or 16 on this And then he was playing "open arms" a decade later Carlos was at the top of his game ,(in my opinion) on this one.

kisscamille said:

I agree.The guests don't bother me too much as long as the songs are great.'Supernatural' is a wonderful album.I like all the songs.'Shaman' wasn't as good,but there are still some gems on that one.These days,the best way to experience Santana is by seeing him in concert,where it's just him,his guitar and his band,without all the guest stars.