CARAVANSERAI

Carlos and Michael Shrieve getting into spiritual exploration through Eastern teachers, at this point, mostly Parahamansa Yogananda. At the same time, the world had just had their ears and mind blown by John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra and their debut album (and tour), The Inner Mounting Flame. Carlos had heard Doug Rauch in a concert with his band, The Voices of East Harlem, and loved his Mahavishnu-like style and enthusiasm. In fact, Michael and Carlos both credit Doug Rauch's infectious enthusiasm and endless flow of musical ideas for becoming a driving force behind the realization of this album project as well as the preceding practice tour and following world tour.

1. "Eternal Caravan of Reincarnation" (4:28) crickets and Hadley Caliman's solo saxophone signal the dawning of a new era. About halfway in, the band joins in to provide a gentle, welcoming instrumental intro to the soul-augmenting jazz that is the new orientation of Carlos, Michael, and all of their new band members. (9.25/10)

2. "Waves Within" (3:53) Carlos and Neal Schon (yes, that Neal Schon!) exchanging emotional and electrical guitar-fire (with newcomer bass-player Doug Rauch also on rhythm guitar!) Incredible earworm melodies created repeated seven-step chord progression. A song that is credited to Doug Rauch and Gregg Rollie. (10/10)

3. "Look Up (To See What's Coming Down)" (2:59) the funk is also here: the percussion and bass certainly let you know it! Great guitar interplay between Neal, Doug, and Carlos. Another song credited to Doug Rauch and Gregg Rollie (as well as Carlos) and including Doug's guitar assistance. (9.25/10)

4. "Just In Time To See The Sun" (2:19) the jamming becomes more insistent: power chords and relentless rhythm play driving this one along. Carlos's singing is okay but I know how important his spiritual message is, so it rings true. (8.875 /10)

5. "Song of the Wind" (6:02) great little tune carried by the bouncy organ and steady percussion. What beautiful music--and beautiful guitar play: melodic as hell and so emotional! The other band members must have been so inspired and confident while listening to Carlos' passion: no wonder their subtle flourishes and nuances are so perfect! Neal Schon is listed as one of the authors of this one. (9.75/10)

6. "All the Love of the Universe" (7:36) the last song on Side One is oriented like a Sly & The Family Stone jam song with Chicago-like whole-band choral vocal singing. (They're really not very good as a choir). Doug Rauch's rapid fire funk bass sounds like a cross between Percy Jones' machine gun and a Disco bass. Interesting song with a lot of energy--both kinetic and potential--but probably my least favorite song on the album. (13/15)

Side Two is often referred to as "the percussionists' side."

7. "Future Primitive" (4:12) opens with an atmosphere created by space-synths (uncredited but probably provided by Michael Shrieve) that is really just a setup (and, later, underlying texture) for percussionists José "Chepito" Areas and Mingo Lewis to jam in some kind of Cuban polyrhythmic language. (4.5/5)

8. "Stone Flower" (6:14) Carlos and Michael adopt this Antonio Carlos Joabim instrumental and put their own lyrics to it (and sing it: together). Yes, the melody does sound like it was lifted from some of the recent Brazilian-based bassa nova pop songs that had been seeping into American pop radio but that's just exemplifies the broad range of music that Carlos and especially Michael were listening to at that time. Great "Nature Boy"-inspired solo from Carlos. Also, acoustic bass is used on this one instead of Doug's funky electric--here provided by Tom Rutley. Man that organ and expanded lineup of percussionists really brings this to life! (8.875/10)

9. "La Fuente del Ritmo" (4:33) a wild ride that is driven by pure Latin rhythms as written and led by Mingo Lewis. The song also introduces two new band members who would become fixtures for a while in percussionist Armando Peraza and keyboard artist Tom Coster. (9/10)

10. "Every Step of the Way" (9:04) this Michael Shrieve song opens with the total feel of a Miles, Herbie or Mahavishnu song. (It actually sounds a lot like the music the band would issue on their next album, Love Devotion Surrender, a collaboration with John McLaughlin and some of the Mahavishnu members). The nuclear detonation occurs at the three-minute mark, unleashing a barrage of energetic play from every goddam member of this band--including some who were not members (horns ! (I agree with ProgArchives admin &. reviewer Sean Trane: "Every Step of the Way" escorts the listener to a divine orgasm.) Turn this one up to 11! It deserves a 6! One of Jazz-Rock Fusion's all-time great songs! (21/20)

Total Time: 51:20

It is so exciting to discover albums from 35-40 years ago that I'd never heard before and find myself totally blown away by the 'new' music I hear. Again, thank you Max and ProgArchivists: my world of music has never been so blown open. Caravanserai is an album whose first listen flooded me with such nostalgia; I had never before realized how much Carlos' guitar playing and his Latin rhythms and amazing organists influenced my core musical likes and values until I listened to this album. Hearing "Waves Within" I was (and am each time I listen to it) overcome with a flood of emotion taking me back to the Eden that was my formative pre-teen years.

While I understand the derogatory comments bestowed upon the atmospheric "introludes" ("Eternal Caravan of Reincarnation" and "Future Primitive"), I love them and find them essential to the spiritual journey Santana is taking us on.

Through the years I have enjoyed many of the singers and lyrics of Santana songs, however, I quite agree that on this album their presence are, overall, IMHO, out of place with and even detract from the spirit of the rest of the music. And while many of Carlos' extended solos are backed by simple two-chord repetitions, the band is always jamming their hearts out: they're in the same cosmic groove that allows Carlos to soar--and soar he does: The man is a true master of 'stumbling' upon incredibly catchy, melodic riffs while negotiating the fret board at seeming break-neck speed. Amazing talent. Truly a god channeling the divine!

Wonderful album with outstanding work from Michael Shrieve, Neal Schon, Mingo Lewis and Greg Rolie--not to mention the Devadip and the new kid on the block, Doug Rauch!

5 star songs: "Waves Within," "Look Up (To See What's Coming)," "Song of the Wind," "Every Step of the Way."

A/five stars; a true masterpiece and shining beacon of light from the young and still-forming Jazz-Rock Fusion movement--and one of my Top 10 Jazz-Rock Fusion Albums from prog's "Classic Era." One of the few concert tours for which I wish I had been a "Deadhead"/groupie.