BORBOLETTA

Borboletta marks the start of the departure from heavy fusion and experimentation to a slightly more streamlined sound that is is less heavy a more radio friendly. However, at least half of the album is still rooted in the latest intensive jaz-rock/latin fusion realm.

The first two tracks provide a beautiful album intro with smooth textures and light fusion keyboards, flute joining the tandem, while guitar is resting. With "Life is anew", the Santana band comes in full glory with Hammond, present guitar and drums/percussions.

"Give and take" is somewhere between jazz-rock, Latin and funk music, the most accessible track so far.

"One with the sun" is a beautiful instrumental comparable to any previous album.

After that, it's time to enter the fusion territory once again - Aspirations sets the bar very high. Beautiful saxophone, Hammond in the background and intensive drumming. Saxophone is ruling the song by no doubt.

"Practice what you preach" and "Mirage" are a hint at more accessible pop-infected sound of later Santana tracks. The latter track has a nice Moog arragements and the chorus reminds me of some Chicago work.

The last three tracks are fusion Santana at his best and bring back the magnificient glory of band interplay. They should be heard in their entirety.

Santana still had a lot to offer on Borboletta. It could have been interesting to hear some tracks from it on the live "Lotus" but that was released prior to this album.