Santana 3 - SANTANA****

Batuka/No One To Depend On/Taboo/Toussaint L'Overture/Everybody's Everything/Guajira/Jungle Strut/ Everything's Coming Our Way/Para Los Rumberos

Santana 3 was the last album of the group to feature the legendary Woodstock line-up. It was also the final release to feature mostly Latin influenced blues and rock before a change in direction to a more fusion based sound. (US:1 UK:6)

“After this album, line-up changes and a shift in direction towards a more fusionoriented sound would mean this is the last by the group to feature the blues and Latin tinged psych. All the potential of the previous two albums comes together here to yield a rich and endlessly rewarding collection of tracks. Santana's guitar work is, of course, legendary, and on this album he's on fine form once again, with the rest of the band playing their hearts out to match him.”

“Featuring lengthier instrumental passages than the more commercially accessible Abraxas, Santana 3 is the last release of the early 70s to maintain a semblance of rock form before he ventured off full time into jazz-fusion. Santana were one of the most innovative and devilishly seductive bands of all time.”

“Santana's third album is more of the same from the first two except fine tuned and perfected. I'm a huge fan of his early work but this is the album I'd be bringing to a desert island. If you want Latin rock or guitar playing, it doesn't get better than this.”

“Heavy on Latin percussion, and containing an exotic mix of electric guitars, organ and occasionally brass, this album clearly defines itself as early Santana. The style is unmistakable, being related to Abraxas but also exhibiting the fusion-jazz elements which will shine in the next release.”

“This album is wild, full of tropical heat and absolutely cool at the same time. It has jazzy moments and an almost progressive rock touch. Santana's guitar playing is flawless, piano and percussion are fantastic.”

“If you really want to hear a master guitar player who defined a style in top form this is the album to buy. His gripping and powerful, weepingly melodic, style is both exciting and beautiful at the same time. Taboo is positively thrilling as is the incredible interplay between the two guitar players on Toussaint L'Overture. The band are superb too and the wonderful Latin rhythms are a joy to listen.”