Audio CD review:
Santana - Shango

Santana - Shango

Band: Santana Title: Shango Rating: Release Date: 25 October, 1990 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: The Nile 2: Hold On 3: Night Hunting Time 4: Nowhere To Run 5: Nueva York 6: Oxum (Oshun) 7: Body Surfing 8: What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) 9: Let Me Inside 10: Warrior 11: Shango

Customer Reviews Most mainstream album by Santana before Supernatural Infact the only common thread over albums by Santana are: 1. Santana as a band has consistantly been changing and evolving over the years picking up new influences as well as letting some go. The melodious and sometime frantic highly identifyable guitar work by Carlos. 2. The distinctive latin flavor to the music of the band. Apart from the above two points the band has been constantly evolving, mainly due to the influence of numerous band members and contributers over time. 'Shango' as an album is the most popish of them all, with very melodious sing along tunes and quality musicmanship. It also has an Afro touch to it, specially on the title track and 'Oxun'. The album had two hit singles in 'hold on' and 'nowhere to run' both very good tune addressing both the rock and disco fans. Carrying on in this tradition is 'Let me inside' another simple pop track. My favorite is 'Oxun' a lovely song in a language I don't understand (assume its Carribian). 'Body surfing' is another gem with a tune which may take time to catch on. Like Supernatural this album is not a true indicator of what the band is like but I can say with honesty that it is the most danceable album, highly rhythemic and great fun provided one does not compare it with other outputs from the band. Carlos as usual sizzles with his guitar on this one. By the way there are'nt any bules or slow numbers here. . Nothing compared to 'Zebop!' A bulk of it consists largly of well executed jams that never build up to the feverish intensity Santana are noted for. Overall 'Shango' simply doesn't have the consistant quality of song that it predecessor possesed. Instead most of it just lays there is never moves. Two kinetic,new-wave inflected hits "Hold On" and "Nowhere to Run" do stand out as classics in their catalog. It's not terrible and there really is no BAD Santana. Certainly the playing on even the weakest cuts here is excellent and some of the 80' production elements add a certain zest. It's only a question of their are so many Santana albums that have been made and by THIS time the band seemed to be searching for a direction. They would do a bit better on the next couple of outings!. Nueva York! However, "Nueva York" is a classic tune. I have seen and heard alot of negative reviews over the years about this release. This piece of music, alone, is worth the purchase. If you are a person that enjoys music and has an ear for Carlos, you may enjoy a few tracks on 'Shango'. The aforementioned, of course, but also, 'Body Surfing', 'Let Me Inside' and 'Night Hunting Time' have some interesting passages going on. I am not a big Alex Ligertwood fan, but, if you can phase out the vocals on a few tracks, the music is there to be be enjoyed. . You can see a complete list of all Santana discography, or go back to the Santana tabs