|
If so, it's rather ironic that his newfound mysticism led Carlos to craft what anyone might have expected of him at the time: a percussion-driven package which slicked up the trademark Santana sound while dispensing with its more radio-friendly elements and any sort of clear song cycle. This is basically an instrumental suite in the jazz-lite vein so popular at the time, with more and tastier percussion and (thanks to Carlos) worse vocals than the average. Released in 1972, CARAVANSERAI was Santana's fourth album and first overt stab at the then-ascendant jazz fusion market. Of the numerous unfamiliar musicians present, some would remain in the band for years while others would never play with Santana again. If you consider "Black Magic Woman" to be the apex of this band's career, it's surprising that you're even reading this, but you can rest assured you'll have little interest in the collection in question. In the era of Return to Forever, Weather Report and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, CARAVANSERAI was hardly revolutionary, even if its progeny might have raised a few eyebrows. To some extent this is reflected in the music, which is admirably played and suitably spacey but lacks the strong stamp of collective personality so evident on CARAVANSERAI's three predecessors - not to mention anything which might qualify as a likely single.
If the jammier selections on the first few Santana LPs are your thing, CARAVANSERAI makes sense as a follow-up purchase. It was also, according to the liner notes in this attractively packaged reissue, an attempt to convey in musical terms the spiritual awakening which leader/guitarist Carlos Santana had undergone through his involvement with guru Sri Chinmoy. A solid piece of work, certainly, but one understandably left out of most compilations and little known among the uninitiate. While all of the members of the classic Santana lineup appear on this album, they are never all together and only Carlos and drummer Mike Shrieve are on hand throughout. Thus the start of the revolving-door personnel changes which remain one of Carlos' trademarks to this day. If you're into the early efforts of Chick Corea and John McLaughlin, it could almost qualify as a must. To put it another way, for headphone people only.
On this one Santana is starting to(if he hasnt already) forget his roots.That which made his music unique, stand out, something fresh that shook the rock world as on his first 3 classic albums. that which defines the word SANTANA.Come on folks, if I want to hear jazz or fusion I will go that section at the music store, Santana is in the rock or Latin section FYI. I didnt like Welcome as it was all jazz-fusion jamming with some nonsensible lyrics. I am getting a Santana album to hear what he is known for, not some subjective, artistic experiment.
Caravanserai is my favourite Santana album. Carlos plays his soul out on Song of the Wind and Future Primitive has masterful percussion with an eerie background. Released in 1972, it's Santana's fourth. The album broke new ground and it is a truthful journey into music and spirit. Also, the remastered edition has done a very good job making Caravanserai sound as it should. Shame albums don't come like this anymore.
First bought this album early 70's when first release on cassette, then had my car stolen and lost forever.now why I decide to buy again.maybe living in Spain and chillin I dont know but WHAT A CLASS ALBUM.its over 30 years old but absolutely magnificent.we've all heard the usual quality songs from Carlos but all these tracks aren't on his "best of" which makes it even better for me.jazz blues awesome licks.truly memorable.
The tunes range all over the map, from the epic "Every Step of the Way" (the guitar riff that ends the intro is awesome) to serious funk ("Look Up") to percussion duets ("Future Primitive").The influence of Latin music is still here in a big way with the gentle Jobim cover "Stone Flower" and the grooving instrumental "La Fuente del Ritmo", but people expecting the Classic Santana will be disappointed. Guests make a big difference -- Tom Rutley's acoustic bass is a nice touch on many of the tunes, and future keyboardist Tom Coster makes his first appearance on a Santana album.
The upbeat and catchy Latin rock of the band's first 3 albums was replaced by a more meditative, abstract and instrumentally-focused style influenced by Miles Davis's early electric bands and Chick Corea's Return to Forever.Most of the band's original members are still here (Gregg Rolie, Mike Shrieve, Chepito Areas) but their roles have changed dramatically. Jazz ideas had already been creeping into Santana's music on tracks like "Incident at Neshabur" and "Toussaint L'Overture", but Caravanserai boldly moved deep into jazz-rock territory.
Gregg Rolie sticks to keyboards (lots of electric piano) and the remaining vocals are pleasantly inconsequential. Mike Shrieve suddenly steps up in the compositional department and his drumming really improves.
Check out his Elvin Jones-isms on "Waves Within". Carlos and Neil Schon play off each other really well.
Nevertheless this is one of Santana's best albums, right up there with Abraxas; whereas their later jazz-rock efforts were often mixed bags, it works here in a big way.[This review is based on the original CD version, which has an identical tracklist; I would assume the 2003 reissue has better sound].
|
