Moonflower – Santana
Reviewed by Pilak Bhatt
This is an extraordinarily beautiful double album often overlooked by fans because it deviated from the familiar Latin Rock sounds that Santana is known for. The music is more jazzy, and has progressive leanings, something that Santana had been heavily influenced by muscians like Miles and Trane. From the four sides, it has under three sides of live recordings and just over one side worth of new studio cuts. This album also marks the spiritual phase in Santana's career when he adopted the name
Devadip under the influence of his guru Shri Chinmoy. After the masterpiece trilogy of Santana, Abraxas and Santana III, Carlos did not want to rest on his laurels and was hungry for more. He is superbly supported by Tom Coster on keyboards and synths on this album. The live track
Europa has Santana and Tom Coster interplaying and complimenting each other beautifully
Santana is in top form here and one can get the taste of his fluid, lyrical playing from evergreen tracks like
Soul Sacrifice, Black Magic Woman and Dance Sister Dance that would make you jump with joy with it's vibrant afro-latino beat. Studio tracks like
El Morocco, Transcendance and
Toussaint l'Overture showcase the beautiful improvisational skills of the band which is tight and cohesive throughout. While guitarists like Hendrix (Jimi) were consumed by drugs, it is our fortune to have Santana take his music to the next level. His notes are pure, clear and melodious and thankfully he never restores to pyrotechnics.
I strongly recommend
Moonflower alongwith
Oneness which also has him playing at his peak. A must have album in any rock collection.
Label:CBS – CBS 88272
Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold
Released: Oct 1977
Genre: Jazz, Rock Style:
Fusion, Classic Rock, Latin Jazz
Reviewed by
Pilak Bhatt
Pilak Bhatt is a 54 year old Mumbai resident who is still keeping the turntable spinning. Bhatt is one of many avid LP record collectors in the country and also around the world who has a passion for music and collecting LP records. Bhatt has a collection of almost 1 lac LP records. He buys and sells LPs, advises on turntables and has his own Music Circle shop at Kandivili, Mumbai that stocks loads of LPs. He can be contacted on 9820365979.
