I've been listening to the new Santana CD 'Shaman' all week long and I guess I would give it a B+.The album has some great songs on it,but there are a few weak songs as well.For the most part,this is yet another "Carlos Santana and Friends" album,much like 1999's 'Supernatural'.The sad thing is,Carlos' own band don't get too many opportunities to shine on this CD.But,there's alot to enjoy here.I'm gonna give my thoughts on each track...


***"Adouma"---This is a perfect opener.It's a Angelique Kidjo song,and it's performed exclusively by Santana and his band.Containing African chant-like vocals,it's one of the highlights of the album.It's also a great showcase for lead singer Tony Lindsay.

***"Nothing At All"---This is another highlight!! Featuring vocals by Musiq,it's a gorgeous ballad with wonderfully written lyrics by Rob Thomas (matchbox twenty).As a vocalist,Musiq brings a Stevie Wonder-ish vibe to his performance,and Carlos' guitar playing is sweet and gentle.

***"The Game Of Love"---This is the first single and it features vocals by Maverick Recording artist Michelle Branch.It's insanely catchy,and has a mellow,relaxed vibe to it.Interestingly,it includes background vocals by Siedah Garret (remember her??) and Madonna's longtime backup singer Niki Harris.

***"You Are My Kind"---Seal is back! He handles the lead vocals on this elegant midtempo song,also written by Rob Thomas.It's a very good tune,and it's nice to hear Seal again.

***"Amore(Sexo)"---This fiery Latin number features Macy Gray on lead vocals.I love Macy and the song is cool,but unfortunately,her vocals are buried in the mix.With Carlos' squelching guitar licks and the trumpets and trombones,it's kinda hard to hear Macy and what she is saying.

***"Foo Foo"---Finally,a song without guest stars! This is one of my favorite songs on the album.It's a festive Latin dance track,and it sounds like Carlos and his band had a ball while recording it.Sure to become a concert favorite.

***"Victory Is Won"---YES!! YES!! YES!! Carlos' guitar takes center stage on this intoxicating guitar ballad.I've been playing this song non-stop since I bought the CD.There are no vocals,no guest stars,just the power of Carlos' mindblowing guitar.Prepare to be mesmerized by this song!

***"Since Supernatural"---Wyclef Jean produced this hip-hop track,and it's alot of fun.Featuring vocals by Melkie Jean and Governor Washington (whoever they are),it's catchy and funky.Not as brilliant as "Maria,Maria"(also produced by Jean),but it's still a great song.

***"America"---Disaster strikes on this awful song.Featuring a lame ass rock band (P.O.D.),it's one of the low points of the album,with embarassingly bad lyrics and truly dreadful vocals.

***"Sideways"---Featuring bass by Me'shell Ndegeocello and vocals by Citizen Cope,this bluesy number is quite nice.It's slow and moody.You may not dig it at first,but give it a chance,it will grow on you.

***"Why Don't You & I"---Another forgettable track that should not have made the album.This song features vocals by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback,and it's nothing to write home about.

***"Feels Like Fire"---Featuring vocals by Dido,this song is just okay.Maybe it will grow on me.As always,Carlos' guitar saves it from being a total throwaway.

***"Aye Aye Aye"---Another great tune,without the guest stars.It's just Carlos and his band having fun in the studio.Featuring lead vocals by Andy Vargas,these types of songs make you wish Carlos would just make an album with his own band.

***"Hoy Es Adios"---A wonderful collaboration with Alejandro Lerner,this is a slow Latin track that sizzles.Songs like this make you long for that promised Latin music album that Carlos mentioned in a recent interview.

***"One Of These Days"---Just when you think things had slowed down,Carlos comes back with this funky jam,featuring the band Ozomatli.It's probably the best uptempo track on the entire album.I can't get enough of it!!!

***"Novus"---Unfortunately,Carlos closes the album with this disastrous ballad,featuring the vocals of Placido Domingo.His operatic vocals simply sound odd and out-of-place here.


I guess the biggest question is,how does 'Shaman' stack up when compared to 'Supernatural'? I was more impressed with 'Supernatural' for many reasons.For one thing,it simply contained better collaborations (Lauryn Hill and Eric Clapton on the same album?? That's pure heaven!).And it contained better songs overall.Also,the songs on 'Supernatural' flowed well together,even though they came from such disparate artists and songwriters.

But having said that,I also feel that 'Shaman' is a strong album filled with many treats and surprises.It's also a more Latin-sounding effort than it's predecessor.A few tracks,namely "Nothing At All" and "One Of These Days",could go on to become huge hits.But,next time around,I wish Carlos would leave the guest artists at home and record a "less commercial" album with just his bandmembers.

Do y'all think Santana is selling out by releasing albums with more commercial aritists??? I'd be interested to know what some of his hardcore Mexican audiences think of his last 2 records. I used to live in New Mexico and he was as popular there as he is to the rest of the country now before his recent commercial success.

divo02 said:

Of Course He is.He made a Pact with Clive Davis&now He must Deliever.LA Reid&Clive Pimping The Hell Out of whatever Carlos Drops.Carlos is made out into a Quincy Jones type of Artist which is So Wrong IMHO.A Talented Musician no Doubt but A Cat that is Expected Too Perform at a SuperStar Clip? Hell NAW!!

DavidEye said:

These r my thoughts exactly! Having said that, could u imagine having actually used Stevie Wonder on this track??? Damn, I'm sure all Carlos had 2 do was ask.

June7 said:

That's the thing...last year,Carlos revealed his "wish list" of artists he wanted to work with for this CD.He mentioned legendary artists like Sting,Bob Dylan,Whitney Houston,Prince,Michael Jackson,Aretha Franklin,and Patti LaBelle.If he had stuck to his original plans and worked with those artists,I think 'Shaman' would have been much more interesting and exciting.I think that Clive Davis and LA Reid convinced him to work with newer artists,in order to insure that the album was a massive success and appealed to younger audiences.

Santana comes but once the year yes? LOL

DavidEye said:

Carlos has no choice at this stage.He is Being Pimped&If He wants The Exposure He will do whatever it takes.

"He is being pimped & If He wants the exposure he will do whatever it takes"

OUCH!! My feeling is,Carlos has spent entire decades making music that the public ignored.So,now that he's "back on top",it feels too good to let it all go

I guess,nowadays,if you really wanna hear "REAL" Santana music without the guest stars,you gotta check him out in concert.The focus there is on him and his band,the way it should be.

DavidEye said

That's the thing...last year,Carlos revealed his "wish list" of artists he wanted to work with for this CD.He mentioned legendary artists like Sting,Bob Dylan,Whitney Houston,Prince,Michael Jackson,Aretha Franklin,and Patti LaBelle.If he had stuck to his original plans and worked with those artists,I think 'Shaman' would have been much more interesting and exciting.I think that Clive Davis and LA Reid convinced him to work with newer artists,in order to insure that the album was a massive success and appealed to younger audiences.[/quote]


i agree. that's why i'm not going to buy this one. i love santana, but i'm not going to by a cd full of singles in order to line clive's already full pockets.