BEYOND APPEARANCES

Beyond Appearances shows promise, but it is a slightly awkward affair. . Santana was in transition. Nonetheless, some great tunes lurk within. With the departure of Tom Coster and after the disappointing LP Shango there was a great hole in the Santana line-up. Enter Chester Thompson, former keyboardist with Bay-area grease specialists Tower of Power, a band that had joined with Santana on more than one occasion (see the third album).

Brotherhood is an awesome chant and call-out to mankind. Spirit and Right Now are both inspirational and it is wonderful to hear Alex grooving at the microphone with former frontman Greg Walker. Who Loves You, and the song designated as the single, Say It Again, are catchy little ditties, but nothing pithy or substantial. The best tune may be the instrumental Touchdown Raiders; it's a satisfying heavy rocker.

It is an worth hearing, but Beyond Appearances is by no means essentia. However, there are a couple of songs that would stand out nicely on a personal compilation.